Green Energy Upgrades Make Corporate Office a Net Energy Producer

NORTH ANDOVER, MA--(Marketwire - November 7, 2008) - RCG LLC, developer of East Mill, and tenant Nexamp, Inc., a veteran-owned energy and carbon solutions company, recently completed extensive onsite renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. These green energy upgrades make Nexamp's corporate office a "beyond zero net-energy" workplace: a rare facility that produces more energy than it consumes. The improvements at East Mill -- a commercial complex of renovated 1850s mill buildings -- include a 67-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic system, Hallowell Acadia efficient heating and cooling system, and other efficiency measures.

"RCG's goal is to develop sustainable mixed-use communities and attract like-minded tenants. Fortunately, sustainability and profit can go hand and hand," said David Steinbergh of RCG LLC. "By partnering with Nexamp to identify and implement energy solutions at East Mill, RCG is realizing 15% to 20% rates of return on our clean energy investments, and East Mill's efficiency upgrades insulate RCG and our tenants from rising energy prices."

"Nexamp is on track to install over 750 kW of clean energy projects in 2008 and has grown to 25 employees, many of whom are veterans," said Daniel Leary, President of Nexamp. "As growth increases our energy costs and carbon footprint, it is important for Nexamp to practice what we preach and achieve the highest standard. I am pleased to have teamed with RCG to make Nexamp's corporate office a model for how to profitably go beyond zero net-energy, even for older buildings such as East Mill."

Nexamp, Inc. designed and installed the solar photovoltaic and Acadia efficient heating and cooling systems at East Mill. Supported in part by a rebate from the Commonwealth Solar program launched by the Patrick Administration in January, the 67-kW solar photovoltaic system generates about 200% of the power required to run the heating and cooling equipment, lighting, computers, servers, and appliances at Nexamp's 4,500 square foot corporate office. The Acadia system heats and cools the office at twice the efficiency of a modern commercial fuel furnace or boiler. The solar photovoltaic system feeds power directly into the building, offsetting the amount of power that must otherwise be purchased from the utility, and through a process called net metering, sells surplus generation back to the utility at the full retail rate. Only a handful of businesses in Massachusetts generate enough of their own energy to fully offset their consumption.

"This is a great example of what can be achieved by combining renewable energy with energy efficiency to make buildings that produce as much energy as they consume, as Governor Deval Patrick has called on the design and construction industry to achieve through his Zero Net Energy Buildings Task Force," Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles said. "Nationwide, buildings account for 40 percent of all energy consumption and a third of all greenhouse gas emissions. Zero net energy buildings are vitally important to our clean energy future, and I congratulate the RCG and Nexamp team for taking this building even farther."

The solar photovoltaic system is engineered by Nexamp to last 30-plus years. All of the major components are from Massachusetts companies, including solar panels from Evergreen Solar, an inverter from Solectria Renewables, and a mounting system from PanelClaw. The solar photovoltaic system was partially funded by a rebate from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust.

About East Mill

Nexamp's corporate office is located in East Mill, the former East Campus of the Davis & Furber Machine Shop in North Andover, Massachusetts. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the East Mill property consists of 235,000 square feet of mill buildings dating back to the 1850s. As developer for RCG North Andover Mills LLC, RCG LLC has breathed new life into the once deteriorating property by introducing a mix of residential, retail, and higher quality office uses.

About RCG LLC

RCG LLC is a real estate investment, development, and management firm with offices in the Greater Boston Metropolitan area, historic downtown Salem, Massachusetts, and Brevard, North Carolina. RCG owns and manages over 1,000 apartments and retail units. The company develops and rehabilitates residential and commercial properties for rental or for sale. RCG's aim is to provide out-of-the-ordinary and environmentally friendly places to live and work at reasonable prices, while also providing residents with responsive, professional services. For more information: http://www.rcg-llc.com/

About the Installer, Nexamp, Inc.

Nexamp delivers a broad range of turnkey solutions that reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions for businesses, governments, and homeowners. Nexamp designs, builds, and maintains clean energy (solar, geothermal, wind, and combined heat and power) and energy efficiency systems. Nexamp works with clients to analyze energy needs and implement the most cost-effective energy and carbon reduction solutions. For more information: http://www.nexamp.com/