Higher Education

Turn campus energy costs into NOI.

Compare solar, storage and EV charging across your campus, with funding and ownership options matched to the institution.

University campus with solar panels on an academic building and campus parking
Representative higher education property with on-site solar.

Why this segment fits

Eligible tax-exempt and public institutions may use elective pay when they own qualifying assets and meet credit requirements. Third-party ownership follows a different tax structure. We compare these routes with the institution and its tax advisers before presenting economics.

Campus scale

Multiple buildings, one owner, one master agreement across academic and housing stock.

Assessed per property
Tariff, site and project terms

Incentive stacking

Where the institution owns the asset and qualifies, elective pay can sit alongside state programs such as SMART in Massachusetts.

Assessed per property
Tariff, site and project terms

Parking and roofs

Flat academic roofs and large lots support both generation and EV charging.

Assessed per property
Tariff, site and project terms

How a project is structured.

NOI coordinates design, funding, construction and operation of the on-site solar, battery and EV assets, working with licensed installers and engineers.

Who funds the project, who owns the equipment and how the benefit is shared depend on the structure chosen for that project — owner-funded, financed, or third-party funded — and are set in the project agreement after underwriting. Where a funding partner owns the system, the owner typically hosts it under an agreement and either buys energy on site or receives a payment. Tax credits, depreciation and state incentives are assessed per project against the owner’s own tax position; confirm treatment with your tax advisors.

  1. 01Start with utility bills and available site information.
  2. 02Screen tariff, load and funding options; confirm whether a deeper assessment fits.
  3. 03If viable, arrange site, structural and electrical reviews; timing depends on access and scope.
  4. 04Present a proposal with assumptions, ownership terms and any verified incentive or compliance eligibility.
  5. 05Agree contracts and pursue required owner, lender, permit and utility approvals.
  6. 06Schedule construction and commissioning once approvals and interconnection requirements are clear.

Campuses: climate commitments, rates and incentives

Regulatory pressures and rate structures reshaping the Northeast energy decision for this segment. Confirm current statute specifics with your tax and legal advisors.

§6417
Elective pay

Available where the institution owns the qualifying asset and meets the credit requirements.

SMART 3.0
MA schedules

Massachusetts SMART values are set per program year, utility, size and siting.

BERDO / BEUDO
Boston & Cambridge

Covered Boston buildings follow BERDO; Cambridge has BEUDO, with separate coverage and emissions schedules.

Portfolio
Master agreements

Multi-building master agreements instead of building-by-building procurement.

Eligible tax-exempt and public entities may use elective pay when they own qualifying clean-energy assets and meet the credit requirements. Third-party ownership follows a different tax structure. We compare ownership and funding options with the institution and its tax advisers before presenting project economics. Primary source: IRS — elective pay and transferability FAQs.

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Rates we work with

  • ConEd SC-9 Rate III
  • PSE&G BPL / GLP
  • Eversource G3 / G4
  • National Grid SC-2 / SC-3
  • PSEG-LI 285 / 281
  • JCP&L GS-Secondary
  • United Illuminating GS-3
  • PECO GS-Medium

Each has its own peak-hour, demand-charge and TOU structure. Our model reads your specific tariff.

Higher Education: NOI compared with an ESCO retrofit

DimensionTypical ESCO retrofitAn NOI project
Who funds itOwner capital, a bond issue or ESCO-arranged debt, per the contractOwner-funded, financed or third-party funded — chosen per project
Equipment ownershipUsually the owner once installedThe owner or a funding partner, as set in the project agreement
Tax credits and depreciationDepends on the owner's tax positionAssessed per project; direct pay considered where a tax-exempt owner is eligible
Long-term O&MScoped inside the performance contractCoordinated by NOI under the operating scope agreed
ScopeOften a bundled retrofit across building systemsThe solar, storage and EV assets
Decision pathProcurement, board or bond processA review first, then a project agreement
Savings treatmentFrequently framed as guaranteed savingsModeled and stated with assumptions; no savings guarantee

The fastest path is a modeled number on your specific building.

Send us the property details. You get a written initial review within 2 business days, with the assumptions stated.

All figures on this page are directional. Every deal is modeled to your specific tariff, load and roof. Incentive claims reflect our understanding as of the page date and require confirmation with tax and legal advisors before signature.