Midwest Groundcovers’ newest solar power project completed.
PRESS RELEASE
12 JUNE 2019 | By: Realgy, LLC
Midwest Groundcovers, LLC solar array installation at St. Charles facility increases their existing system.
Realgy, LLC announced today the completion of their newest solar photovoltaic (PV) system consisting of 325 Watts at Midwest Groundcovers, LLC. Their 240-Watt system installed 8 years ago underwent a complete overhaul. Midwest Groundcovers is the leading wholesale container nursery in the tri-state area.
The rooftop PV system was installed on the maintenance building and is part of the 96-acre site of Midwest Groundcovers’ facility located in St. Charles, Illinois. Stan Schumacher, Vice President of Midwest Groundcovers said “We are glad to continue our partnership with Realgy Energy Services to expand our Solar PV System by 25% and upgrade the existing telemetry and inverters to increase the solar PV’s efficiency. The additional panels and upgrade should increase our cost savings by 33% by reducing our usage charges and distribution charges.”
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC of Illinois installed the addition. The project is the second Realgy collaboration this year with Eco Solar in Illinois. According to Terrence Black, Vice President of Eco Solar Solutions, “Upgrading Midwest Groundcovers’ solar system allowed us to maximize the amount of solar production at this location. The overall performance has improved and the savings from avoiding delivery costs went up as well. We also helped lower their costs and carbon footprint.”
Realgy, LLC is an alternative energy service supplier in Illinois and is the owner of the PV system. They paid for the project and continue to supply the property’s electricity. Midwest Groundcovers was selected for the original installation to generate renewable energy locally as part of Realgy’s sustainable commitment.
Midwest Groundcovers’ solar array will produce over 100,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy annually and more than 2.5 million kWh over the next 25 years. That’s enough energy to power about 9 average U.S. homes annually. Beyond the economic value are the environmental and health benefits associated with the PV system such as:
- Reduction of 136 tons of coal burned each year to produce an equal amount of electricity. That’s the same as getting 272 pickup trucks of coal off the road.
- Substituting the use of coal means the removal of 1.76 million lbs. of CO2 into the environment each year. That’s the equivalent of planting over 5,400 trees.
“To be asked to reinvest in an existing project after several years is always gratifying. We are excited to contribute to Midwest Groundcovers’ increase of green energy production,” said Michael Vrtis, President of Realgy.
Contacts:
Midwest Groundcovers
Stan Schumacher, Vice President
6N800 Route 25
St. Charles, Illinois
Eco Solar Solutions, LLC
Paul Szczesny, President
847-220-8786
Realgy, LLC
Michael Vrtis, President
675 Oakwood Avenue
West Hartford, CT
860-233-2270
An affordable way to store clean energy
Renewable energy consumers use batteries to temporarily store energy for later use. However, lithium ion batteries have a short service life and redox flow batteries with twice the lifespan have been cost-prohibitive. Recently, Volterion has optimized redox flow batteries to manufacture them at a lower price point.
Not only are the physical characteristics beneficial to handlers and the environment but, through innovation, the ideas for uses are unlimited. It shouldn’t be long before we see them prominently in hospitals, homes, and more. We can’t wait to see the utilization of these batteries implemented.
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://phys.org/news/2019-06-energy.html
Is less really more?
Views on energy efficiency vary depending on who you’re speaking with. Some believe we should lower usage and lessen electricity waste. We’ve all heard not to leave lights on that aren’t being utilized. On the other hand, economists address efficient use of electricity and overcoming market failures.
These perspectives come into play when discussing electricity rate design and how usage affects those rates. It is believed by some that lower rates encourage higher usage whereas higher rates encourage the opposite.
Social marginal cost is ideally based on customer usage and “the incremental amount they pay matches the incremental cost they impose on society”. Basically, we want to increase awareness of the behaviors discouraged and encouraged when it comes to energy usage. Efficiency should be about decreasing wasteful consumption to achieve “the ultimate goal of a prosperous, clean-energy society”.
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://energyathaas.wordpress.com/2019/06/03/how-much-electricity-consumption-is-too-little/
Solarbration at Park District of Oak Park Recreation Complex
On April 27, 2019 Realgy, Eco Solar, and the Park District of Oak Park hosted Solarbration 2019. The event was a success with representation from over 5 neighboring park districts in attendance. More than 15 other districts requested information regarding the event and solar installation. The note-worthy project contributes to clean energy production and savings for Oak Park. Check out the video of the installation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6SQ05i9V_U
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://realgyenergyservices.com/ridgeland-recreation-complex-completes-addition-to-its-solar-power-project/
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/
PUCO to utilities: Share tax breaks with consumers
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio demands utilities share tax breaks with customers.
Like all big companies, utilities are a major beneficiary of the enacted tax law changes. Some estimate over $1.1 billion will be saved by utilities just this year.
Ohio regulators want to make sure that Ohio utilities return their gain to the people.
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:
http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20180119/puco-to-utilities-share-tax-breaks-with-consumers
What Are Schools Doing to Go Green?
School is back in session! Nationally, many have implemented renewable energy as it is a positive impact on the environment along with a way to lower utility bills. More schools are participating in clean energy programs such as solar panel installations and using electric school buses. Over 5,500 US schools installed solar arrays. Electric buses remain a higher cost upfront but have lower fuel and maintenance costs. Over time, schools will recoup the initial costs to gain a more environmentally friendly source of transportation. These money-saving investments aid in educating students while employing sustainable energy resources.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/climate/what-are-schools-doing-to-go-green.html
Are Smart Thermostats Worth The Investment?
With technology advancing so quickly these days, there are many options for consumers to make daily tasks more efficient. Whether homeowners are building a new space or upgrading amenities, it has become popular to use a digital thermostat. Programmable thermostats are more common and have proven useful but smart thermostats are on the rise. They accomplish everything a programmable thermostat sets out to do and then some. Patterns can be recognized to help manage settings and can be controlled remotely through a cellphone. Through their implementation, consumers become more conscious of energy usage thus helping to reduce consumption and energy bills. For those that need to use heat or air conditioning, smart thermostats are a tech savvy option to maintaining a home.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.iqsdirectory.com/blog/are-smart-thermostats-worth-the-investment/
The most powerful becomes the most affordable
What’s the most powerful and abundant energy source on the planet? What about the cheapest…? Yep, solar energy.
Illinois requires that by 2025, 25% of their energy should be supplied by renewable resources.
So, they created incentives to help very large solar plants (called community solar farms- these can be up to 2 MW or enough for about 200 homes) and residential homeowners.
The installation can be very simple. The financial outlay is paying for roughly 25 years of electricity upfront. However, with the state mandate, the system that would cost $30,000 for a homeowner would now cost about $5,000 after all state and federal incentives are recovered.
Still, it is a significant investment and it does require the “right” location (sunny roof facing south). Another way of participating is through solar community farms. This is where a large solar array is located within Illinois and individuals can purchase a portion of the farm’s output. No installation at your own home is required.
The state is trying to provide the homeowners, small businesses and utilities with the opportunity to invest in and benefit from renewable electricity.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
http://illinoistimes.com/article-19881-exploring-solar-systems.html
Illinois Wholesale Prices
Summer’s energy prices are upon us… however, they were set back in April 2018.
The winning bids were from energy suppliers that include: private companies, utility owned generation, municipal owned generation and out of state power companies.
Winning suppliers include:
- Axpo U.S. LLC
- Shell Energy North America (US), L.P.
- Dynegy Marketing and Trade, LLC
- The Energy Authority, Inc.
- Exelon Generation Company, LLC
- TransAlta Energy Marketing (U.S.) Inc.
- Macquarie Energy LLC
- Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri
- NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC
These entities represent part of the wholesale power market; entities capable of generating electric power. Realgy buys from these same companies.
The average pricing for June-Aug 2018 ranged from $0.01995 to about $0.03 kWh. The utility increases this cost to roughly $0.05-0.06 to cover their costs. Realgy has less costs to cover and can charge less. This is for the energy portion of your bill. The distribution costs (which are roughly ½ of a bill) are the same whether you are with Realgy (energy marketer) or the utility.
Realgy saves customers money by purchasing in the wholesale market and increasing the wholesale price less than the utility.
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 6 solar plants in Illinois and is looking to invest in additional locations.
Additional Information:
https://www.ipa-energyrfp.com/?wpfb_dl=1623