TigerPress, an award-winning, ISO 9001 & FSC certified custom printing facility, along with EnterSolar, a New York-based provider of solar solutions to commercial enterprises, announced the completion of a 654-kW solar installation at TigerPress’ East Longmeadow facility. Elected officials, executives from both firms, and other partners gathered for a ribbon cutting to officially celebrate the system’s completion.
The rooftop solar installation, designed and implemented by EnterSolar, will generate more than 65% of TigerPress’ annual power consumption, significantly reducing its dependence on the grid and providing numerous environmental benefits to its Western Massachusetts and Pioneer Valley neighbors.
The company, founded in 1985, prides itself on its dedication to environmentally sustainable practices including vegetable based inks, recycling of all waste materials, and a member of Forest Stewardship Council since 1997.
“Going solar made sense for us for a variety of reasons,” said Jennifer Shafii, CEO of TigerPress. “From our employees to our management team, everyone at TigerPress is dedicated to sustainability and environmental practices. Not only does going solar help us achieve that goal, but it made good business sense as well, allowing us to continue to invest in our community.”
TigerPress utilized the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) SREC program designed to offer renewable energy credits to those businesses tapping renewable energy. Massachusetts, like many other states, is taking an aggressive stance on incenting renewable energy, and has announced a stated goal of installing 1,600 MW of solar capacity by 2020.
“By utilizing the solar program under SREC 2, TigerPress has established that solar energy is not only good for the environment, and to their employees but their bottom line as well,” said Paul Ahern, president, EnterSolar. “We’re delighted to see TigerPress embrace solar power and recognize their own step to protect the environment in today’s ceremony.”
“Going solar was an easy decision for us to make; we reduced our carbon footprint, while increasing bottom line. I don’t know of a better combination than this,” said Reza Shafii, president of TigerPress.
News item from EnterSolar