Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
PRESS RELEASE
Ridgeland Recreation Complex Completes Addition to its Solar Power Project
MARCH 2019 | BY: REALGY, LLC
In 2015, Realgy, LLC announced the installation of a 100.8 kilowatt (kWDC) solar photovoltaic (PV) system for the Park District of Oak Park’s (PDOP) Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex. Home to an indoor ice rink and outdoor pool serving the Oak Park community, the rec center has been reaping the benefits of an average generation of 10,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) monthly.
This year, an additional solar PV system of 260.4 kWDC has been installed. Connected to 200 kW AC of inverter capacity, it will produce over 312,000 kWh annually. Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the PDOP stated: “The Park District of Oak Park is grateful for this valued partnership with Realgy, LLC. Not only are we seeing an annual savings in energy costs but, we are also reducing our carbon footprint with the addition of these solar panels.”
The initial project allowed the center to become a LEED Certified Gold Building, the first of its kind in the Chicago area. Eco Solar Solutions of Morton Grove, Illinois has once again partnered with Realgy to install the new addition. “Eco Solar is proud to be a part of the largest solar array in Chicago’s western suburbs. We are happy to work with the PDOP and Realgy again in this effort to expand the array to 260,400 watts. The Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex site is an ideal location for this large system” said Paul Szczesny, President of Eco Solar.
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy supplier in Illinois and is the owner of 6 solar PV systems, including our newest at Ridgeland. Realgy is paying for the installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of its sustainable commitment in Illinois. Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy, LLC stated “This, our largest to date solar project highlights the continuation of efforts by the State of Illinois, Eco Solar and the Park District of Oak Park to benefit from bringing environmentally beneficial solar energy at a cost below ComEd. Every year through 2025, we will look back on this project and be able to substantiate for all our children what we did to help our communities.”
With the addition, the Ridgeland PV Solar system now covers 17,240 ft² and plans to generate more than 7.8 million kWh over the next 25 years. That amount of energy could power over 29 average Illinois homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system. Consider this:
- Reduction of 422 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 844 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 182,000 of CO2 into the environment each year. That is the equivalent of planting 16,834 trees.
Terry Black, Director of Project Development for Eco Solar said, “The new Ridgeland Commons array will have a significant environmental impact. The array will offset the release of 182,000 lbs of CO2 by not burning the 703,000 lbs of coal each year to make the equivalent electricity.”
Realgy and the PDOP entered into a long term agreement under which the District pays nothing for the Solar PV system, its installation or maintenance. Ridgeland simply remains a customer of Realgy and pays only the market-based cost of power it uses (averaging 5% below COMED rates). In addition, the Park District will receive a discount of about 10% as a result of having the solar energy displace energy that would otherwise be delivered (and charged) by COMED.
Contacts:
Chris Lindgren
Superintendent of Parks and Planning
218 Madison St
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-725-2050
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy Energy Services, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Ave
West Hartford, CT 06110
860-233-2270
Illinois 100% clean energy bill
Illinois legislators have proposed 100% renewable energy by 2050. Currently, the goal is 25% by 2025. The scope is ambitious. The savings would be enormous. Today, Illinois generates some 6% of its electricity from renewable energy. The majority is generated from coal, nuclear and natural gas. Illinois is leading the Midwest in low energy costs and employment from renewable energy. This bill will continue and strengthen that lead.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
Top Ten Energy Savings Tips for Your Business
Energy usage in the workplace can be excessive. Volatile weather this season has caused utility prices to rollercoaster. Here’s some advice on how to keep your business from using unnecessary energy. In turn, expect to see lower utility bills. Hopefully this will empower employees to become conscious of their energy usage at work and in their homes.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.loveenergysavings.com/guides/top-10-energy-savings-tips-for-your-business/
So 4 years after the first Polar Vortex…How was the 2019 version?
Last week on January 30th, 2019 Chicago matched a record as the coldest day ever.
Power and gas supplies increased but not as severely as in 2014.
Here is why:
- Businesses and schools closed in anticipation of travel delays. This kept power needs down.
- Generators provided the power expected. This was not the case back in 2014. Changes made to generator contracts provided substantial penalties if power wasn’t delivered. Investments in cold weather operations and many of the power plants certainly prevented power shortages.
- Solar and wind kept operating. This was the first polar vortex with substantial solar and wind resources. They performed very well.
Overall, the markets reacted to past incidents and put into place corrections to continue to improve and safeguard the power grid.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
Windy days in NIPSCO’s future
How will NIPSCO lower the cost of electricity in the coming years? By switching from coal to wind.
Yes, wind.
NIPSCO recently announced that some 800 MW of coal fired power plants will be replaced with wind turbines. That’s enough power to supply 500,000 people.
NIPSCO is not taking a risk or putting their customers at risk. NIPSCO has selected three experienced wind energy developers that will build, own and operate the plants and sell the power to NIPSCO.
The projects will reduce the current and forecasted price of electricity because wind doesn’t need any fuel other than well….wind. The wind projects are expected to be operating by late 2020.
Perhaps NIPSCO will allow their customers to purchase the power directly as NIPSCO Customer Choice allows their gas customers.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.thenewsdispatch.com/news/article_e3c1b759-c6c6-5211-b52b-3f66e40b88cb.html
A Clean Energy Revolution Is Rising in the Midwest
Major utilities envision reducing carbon emissions and using clean energy to facilitate those plans. The Midwest has stepped up to the plate promoting the shift to renewable energy. Low costs of wind power and growing use of solar are propelling Midwest utility executives to take charge in the climate change battle. Xcel, Consumers, and NIPSCO have proposed several plans to embrace renewable resources. Howard Learner, President and Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center says “utilities are beginning to make decisions based on the market of the future rather than that of the past” and “It’s a matter of environmental value and economic justification.”
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/02012019/renewable-energy-tipping-point-midwest-2018-year-review-utilities-wind-solar-xcel-100-percent
Forbes’ 2018 Year-End Energy Quiz
Discover how much you actually know about the energy we rely on. Click here for the quiz.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/12/31/the-2018-year-end-energy-quiz/#24f265669096
Developer seeks city approval to replace Crawford power plant in Little Village with massive distribution center
Chicago’s Little Village is home to a retired coal-fired power plant. Future use of the space is being planned by Hilco Redevelopment Partners with the approval of the City Council. Hilco plans to convert it into a distribution center and they believe the jobs created would benefit the city.
Some are wary of this renovation as the plant “was designed by noted architecture firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White and opened in the 1920s”. Although the building needs to be demolished, they hope to repurpose various pieces. Added advantages are Hilco plans to use a power infrastructure to support electric vehicles and other renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/ori/ct-biz-crawford-station-warehouse-ryan-ori-20180912-story.html
Energy registry aims to standardize utility data for cities, counties
One approach to aiding local governments with incorporating energy and climate goals is to build a system that will track utility data and their energy progress. The hope is utilities will share data to compare from community to community. This is seen as an important tool to reduce greenhouse gases and plan for renewable energy. Several states have been gathering data over the years and projects are being funded by the US Department of Energy. Categories of importance are energy, water, travel, waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information: https://energynews.us/2018/01/23/midwest/energy-registry-aims-to-standardize-utility-data-for-cities-counties/
Tesla Solar Roof production to ramp up
Orders have been placed for Tesla’s Solar Roof since May 2017. Appearing as a traditional roof, the glass tiles will generate electricity with embedded solar cells. Ensuring an inexpensive product that will last 30 years and have an efficient installation process requires considerable engineering. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk is hoping to put these on the map and begin fulfilling orders next year.
Realgy Energy Services is a registered Retail Energy Marketer in the states of Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. We offer Service Plans that will provide electric and natural gas at wholesale pricing direct to customers without any utility markup. Our Service Plans work with the local utility to provide seamless service and annual energy savings. Service Plans include Guaranteed SavingsTM, ManagedPriceTM, ManagedGreenTM Index, Fixed and PriceAssuranceTM.
Realgy owns and operates 7 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.cnet.com/news/tesla-solar-roof-production-to-ramp-up-in-2019-says-elon-musk/