Sunwealth Supports BXP in Development of Nareit Award-Winning 1.4 MW Solar + Storage Project
Bird's-eye view of the project at 140 Kendrick Street in Needham, MA.
At Sunwealth, we have always believed in the power of partnerships to drive the clean energy transition forward. Our partnership with BXP on a solar + storage project in Needham, MA, was recently recognized by Nareit as a 2024 Sustainability Impact Awardee. The Sustainable Design Award recognized architecture and engineering strategies that reduce environmental impact through smart design, new development, or retrofitting. Read on to learn a little more about the project at 140 Kendrick Street.
A Milestone in Massachusetts: 140 Kendrick
Sunwealth’s low-income community solar + storage project at 140 Kendrick Street in Needham, MA, is a shining example of what can be achieved through strong, intentional partnerships. 140 Kendrick is a premier workplace campus developed, owned, and managed by BXP, encompassing three buildings (A, B, and C) and an amenities center. Building A has undergone an extensive retrofit by BXP to enhance operational energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
BXP’s extensive retrofit of Building A included full electrification, improved insulation of the building envelope (roof and walls), advanced energy recovery systems, and modernized mechanical systems. The centerpiece of this renovation is the on-site renewable energy generation, featuring a 142 kW rooftop solar array, a 1,238 kW solar canopy, and 680 kWh of battery energy storage. These systems collectively generate enough energy to ensure that 100% of the building's energy consumption is offset by renewable sources.
This comprehensive transformation has made Building A of the 140 Kendrick campus the first net-zero*, carbon-neutral office repositioning of this scale in Massachusetts, and we are proud to have been a key partner to BXP. Learn more about the repositioning in BXP’s 140 Kendrick Case Study.
Community Impact
Beyond the building itself, this project offers significant benefits to the local community. The parking lot canopy allocates half of the solar energy credits to local low-income residents at a 20% discount. To date, we have successfully enrolled 66 low-income subscribers, providing them with annual savings estimated at $29,105.34. Of these subscribers, 12 are from Cambridge, 9 from Dorchester, 8 from Roxbury, 4 from Springfield, and 4 from Chelsea. This initiative also supports various housing organizations, including Middlesex Human Service Agency (MHSA) and Centerboard join Heading Home and Caritas. Additionally, the construction of this project has generated nearly 48 job-years and will offset 20,500 metric tons of carbon emissions over its lifetime, resulting in over $1.1 million in savings.
Driving the Future of Clean Energy
BXP’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in making the 140 Kendrick project a reality. Their commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with Sunwealth’s mission to drive an equitable clean energy transition. Together, we have not only developed a pioneering solar + storage system but also set a new standard for what workplace campuses can achieve in terms of sustainability.
As we celebrate BXP’s achievements and our successful collaboration on 140 Kendrick, we look forward to supporting many more buildings in achieving net-zero status in the future. By working together, we can build a more sustainable and equitable future.