Massachusetts, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] BJ’s Wholesale Club has been taking advantage of solar photovoltaic technology for more than 10 years, having installed 12 rooftop systems in six states. This week the big-box wholesaler announced that it will add four more solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to its roster through a partnership with Tioga Energy.
The first two rooftop systems being built under this new partnership are currently under construction at clubs in Leominster and South Attleboro, Massachusetts. They are scheduled for completion next month, with two additional projects in New Jersey to be completed in this summer. The systems will be installed and financed through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Tioga, allowing the clubs to implement solar energy without upfront costs.
When all four of these news systems are online, BJ’s will have added more than 2 megawatts (MW) of solar power with the Leominster and South Attleboro installations at 308 kilowatts (kW) and 344 kW, respectively and the New Jersey installations providing 409 kW and 500 kW.
In addition to the electricity provided by the systems, Tioga’s SurePath Solar PPA offers BJ’s predictable energy prices, providing up to twenty-two percent of the club’s yearly electrical needs. Under the terms of the PPA, BJ’s Wholesale Club pays only for the electricity produced by the systems, while Tioga is responsible for installation, monitoring and maintenance.
“Energy pricing represents a significant overhead expenditure for retail outlets, and leaves them susceptible to monthly variability,” said Paul Detering, CEO of Tioga Energy. “As electricity rates continue to rise, Tioga’s PPA model enables organizations to more effectively budget with predictable pricing and go solar without diverting funding away from core operations.”
