Pictorial Corp. Gets Powered by the Sun

CARLSTADT, NJ—Oct. 16, 2012—Solis Partners, a leading commercial solar developer in New Jersey, has completed a 757 kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic installation for Pictorial Corp., one of the nation’s fastest growing graphic communications companies.

Solis designed, engineered and constructed the solar system on the roof of Pictorial’s 197,000-sq.ft. headquarters facility. The solar array consists of 2,968 panels that will generate more than 20 percent of the printer’s annual electricity usage. Over the projected life of the system, the output equates to the reduction of more than 1.189 million 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 company’s environmental goals, the solar installation will lower operating costs and serve as a hedge against future rate increases.”

Pictorial Corp. employs more 300 people and has a strong history of environmental initiatives, including recycling, electricity conservation and water usage reduction. It recently upgraded the plant’s 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 Corp.’s 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 1980’s. 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 was the first company in the world to receive dual International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 and 9001:2008 certifications. ISO is the world’s largest developer of voluntary quality and environmental process standards, which provide specifications for products, services and good practices with the goal of helping to make business more efficient and effective.

The company was also the first to participate in the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) chain-of-custody registry. Pictorial was amongst the first commercial printers to offer Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified printing paper. FSC is a global nonprofit organization that protects forests by helping consumers identify products sourced from responsibly managed forests.

About Solis
Solis Partners is a leading turnkey provider of solar power systems for commercial, industrial, utility and nonprofit clients. It specializes in financing, constructing and operating distributed solar power plants that enable clients to meet their long-term energy needs while reducing operating costs and addressing their carbon liabilities.

About Pictorial
Pictorial Corp., a leader in addressing environmental issues affecting commercial printing for over 25 years, is the largest privately-owned, single-facility commercial printer in the United States. Family-owned since 1938, Pictorial is one of the nation’s fastest growing commercial printing companies, serving many of the Fortune 500 corporations.

Source: Solis.