Lithographix Powers Its Future With Solar --Michelson

Lithographix financial executive Jeff Zebrack, son of company president Herb Zebrack, notes that his operation spends more than $100,000 per month on energy costs alone. He credits their banker, City National Bank, with having the connections to hire experts familiar with determining the scope of the solar project and with filing the mounds of paperwork necessary to receive rebates (22 cents per kWh) for five years from the California Solar Initiative program. Last June, Lithographix signed a 10-year, off-balance-sheet loan to finance the system, which is being leased through City National. The printer keeps the state incentives, and the bank takes ownership of the federal tax credits and depreciation, explains Zebrack. The ROI is expected to be revenue-neutral or slightly profitable for Lithographix for the first five years.