Temple Aliyah to open solar array

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A large new solar array at Temple Aliyah is expected to generate 90% of the synagogue’s power in the years to come, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and resulting in savings of roughly $250,000 over the next two decades.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new system will be held at Temple Aliyah at 1664 Central Ave., Needham on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Special guests will include the synagogue’s solar partners as well as community representatives. All are welcome to attend.

The synagogue’s new solar energy system came to fruition through a unique public-private partnership. Temple Aliyah is a member of PowerOptions, a nonprofit energy purchasing consortium that also has a solar program, offered by Solect, for small commercial customers. Solect owns the synagogue’s system, covering the costs of procuring, installing, operating, and maintaining it. Solect, a for-profit enterprise, is able to take advantage of federal solar tax credits, and in turn can sell the synagogue’s electricity at a reduced fixed rate, saving thousands of dollars each year.

“Temple Aliyah is always looking for opportunities to reduce the synagogue’s carbon footprint and to reduce operational costs,” said Fred Borgenicht, Temple Aliyah’s vice president of operations. “Installing solar panels through this public-private partnership was a no-brainer.”

“At Temple Aliyah, we are focused on making a better future for our community, both large and small,” said David Farbman, Temple Aliyah president. “We believe that by significantly reducing our carbon footprint by hosting one of the largest solar arrays of any house of worship in the state, we are helping both our synagogue and our wider world at the same time.”