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Tri Town's Installed Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System |
Clean, Green and Affordable Energy a Competitive Asset for Mid-sized CT Manufacturer
(dated Nov. 18, 2008)
Tri Town Precision Plastics, a Deep River, Conn., manufacturer that offers custom
injection molding, has joined a fast-growing cluster of forward-thinking, mid-sized Connecticut manufacturers who are relying on
the sun for clean, renewable energy—and the economic advantage it provides.
This month, Tri Town will begin installing a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The system will be 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) 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).
View current summary data on our solar photovoltaic (PV) system, including power output, sunlight, wind speen, offsets and temperature. Also available are historical data and comparisons such as total daily and yearly energy generated, annual CO2 reduction, trees planted, homes powered and more.
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