Staples – Philip Lai – 2012

Goals

Staples, the world’s largest office supply company, hired Phillip Lai to analyze the economics of on-site solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation. 

Solutions

Lai analyzed Staples’s existing solar power purchase agreements (SPPAs) to determine their financial impact on the company and to develop decision-making guidelines for future solar projects. His analysis incorporated the impacts of the solar installations on overall energy costs; a comparison of future electricity prices to SPPA rate escalation schedules; and the impact of net metering rules on solar generation credits received from utilities. Based on this analysis and additional research, Lai also developed guidelines to help decision makers evaluate future solar projects on key factors such as location, system sizing, pricing and net metering considerations. 

Potential Impact

With the help of Staples’ energy team, Lai uncovered potential for over $100,000 of additional solar generation credits, annually, from existing installations.