The summit, which will be hosted at the DCU Center located at 50 Foster St., in Worcester, Mass., will bring together leaders from the energy sector and leading business executives from throughout the state to share the latest market intelligence as companies seek to better manage the energy line items on their companies budgets.
Controlling energy costs is an extremely important issue for Massachusetts businesses, which have some of the nations highest electricity rates, said Gaurav Naik, co-owner and principal at GeoGenix, which has an office in Worcester. Installing solar is a terrific way for businesses to lower their energy costs and to protect against rising electricity rates in the future. Were thrilled to be participating in an event that will bring clarity to the evolving technology and effectiveness of solar, as well as explain the financial incentives that have made the state one of the nations fastest-growing solar markets.
In addition to high electricity costs, financing is also a stimulus to solar development in Massachusetts. Solar projects are more easily financed in the Bay State than in many others as a result of generous state incentives, which include a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program. SRECs, which are produced by businesses and homeowners that generate solar electricity, represent the environmental benefit of producing 1,000 kilowatts of electricity.
They are sold to the states electricity suppliers in lieu of paying a fine (Solar Alternative Compliance Payment or SACP) for not meeting the solar energy production goals mandated by the states Renewable Portfolio Standard. The summit will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with a networking breakfast buffet, which will be followed by a keynote address by Thomas M. Kiley, president and chief executive officer of Northeast Gas Association, a regional trade association that focuses on education and training, technology research and development, operations, planning and increasing public awareness of natural gas in the Northeast.
The summit will also include two panel discussions. The first, on energy efficiency, will cover the costs versus savings of renewable energy systems such as solar and of the top energy efficiency upgrades. The second will cover federal and state incentive programs, including Massachusetts SREC program. There will also be a presentation of case studies, which will examine best practices and examples of green energy projects. The event will conclude at 12:30 p.m. with light refreshments and an exhibitor showcase at which GeoGenix will have a tabletop display.
For more information about GeoGenix, visit www.GeoGenix.com The cost of admission is $55. The preferred parking garage for the DCU Center is the Worcester Municipal Parking Garage located at 30 Major Taylor Blvd. on the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard (formerly Central Street). For more information about the Worcester Business Journals Energy Summit, visit www.wbjournal.com/massenergysummit
