Within the upcoming month, Tri Town will complete the installation of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system was designed and installed by Gloria Spire Solar of Bedford, Mass., with local support from long-standing partner Essex Commercial Construction.

Connecticut energy prices are the highest in the continental United States. Tri Town President Scott D. Goodspeed says that his company's investment in renewable energy stems from a commitment to sustainable business practices as well as from the need to be competitive in the global marketplace. He says they were intrigued with the concept of solar energy, but weren't convinced it was feasible until they saw the numbers.

"To succeed in today's business climate, we need clean energy solutions that enhance our bottom line," Goodspeed says.

"Gloria Spire showed us that solar energy could be attractive as a 'standalone' investment--one that would give us a good financial return on a par with investments we could make in more obvious areas such as new manufacturing equipment," he says. "They proved that solar could be a viable solution for us."

The Tri Town system will have 1,254 solar modules (panels), will occupy 23,000 square feet of roof space, and will produce about 248,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity per year.

For Tri Town's Goodspeed, the new solar project is a sure win. "Once I knew that solar fit our company financially, I really got excited about the environmental benefits and wished we could do even more," he says. "We put panels on every bit of suitable roof space we have."

Goodspeed says that Tri Town had already deployed many energy conservation measures and currently participates in demand response programs to manage their energy use.

The new solar system will contribute to these efforts by avoiding the generation of nearly 192 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year--equivalent to the green house gases removed by 44 acres of forest. Over the system's lifetime it will avoid the equivalent of burning 660,000 gallons of gasoline.

Gloria Spire CEO Mark Goodreau says that Tri Town is a great example of how mid-sized companies can invest in future operational efficiencies with renewable energy, while making the numbers work for today's cost constraints.

"Tri Town, and others like them, are proving that solar energy systems are not only a good sustainable investment but a great hedge against future energy price increases," Goodreau says.

"Access to clean and affordable energy is likely to be a major competitive asset in the coming years. Investing now gives these companies a vital jump on their competition and contributes to our environmental well-being."

Tri Town's system is estimated to pay for itself in less than six years and will save approximately $1,144,800 in electricity costs over its 30-year lifespan. Nearly half of the system's cost is paid for by a $776,657 grant from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF).

Related Links
Tri Town Precision Plastics
Gloria Spire Solar
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