Solis Partners, a leading commercial solar developer in New Jersey, completed a 757 kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installation for Carlstadt, N.J.-based Pictorial Corporation, one of the nations fastest growing graphic communications companies.
Solis Partners designed, engineered and constructed the solar PV system on the roof of Pictorial Corporations 197,000-square-foot headquarters facility. The solar array consists of 2,968 panels that will generate approximately 782,200 kWh in the first year or more than 20 percent of Pictorials annual electricity usage. Over the life of the system this equates to the reduction of more than 1,189,100 pounds of CO2 emissions roughly equivalent to the impact of taking 106 cars off the road.
Pictorial provides a strong example of how to develop and incorporate sustainable practices into a business in order to become more efficient and competitive, said Jamie Hahn, co-founder and managing director of Solis Partners. They continually look for ways to improve their business and its effect on the environment, and solar was the perfect next step. In addition to fulfilling the companys environmental goals, the solar installation will lower operating costs and serve as a hedge against future rate increases.
Family owned since 1938, Pictorial Corporation is the countrys largest and fastest growing privately owned single-facility commercial printer. Servicing many Fortune 500 corporations, Pictorial Corporation employs over 300 people and has a strong history of environmental initiatives, including recycling, electricity conservation and water usage reduction. Additionally, Pictorial recently upgraded its lighting to an energy-efficient fluorescent lighting system that is also equipped with motion sensors. The company also installed a white reflective cool roof, which will help to keep the building envelope cooler, cutting down on the cost of air conditioning.
Pictorial Corporations commitment to environmental stewardship is one of our principal business objectives, said Donald Samuels, managing partner. We have incorporated what are now considered green business practices since the 1980s. As an environmental leader in the printing industry, installing solar was an affirmation of our commitment to sustainable operations that will positively impact our bottom line for years to come.
The system was financed in part through a solar loan from the local utility, Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G), which will be repaid with Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Pictorial completed its solar installation under PSE&Gs second Solar Loan program. The N.J. Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the utility regulator, is currently reviewing a potential third round of the program.
Helping a business customer like Pictorial Corporation meet their goal of generating onsite renewable energy is a main objective of our Solar Loan program, said Todd Hranicka, Director-Solar Energy for PSE&G. Were happy to add Pictorial Corporation to the ranks of New Jersey businesses that have embraced solar power and we remain committed to helping to finance more successful projects for our business and residential customers."
