JLS Mailing Services, one of New England’s largest presort mailing and printing companies, has partnered with Solect Energy of Hopkinton, Mass., to install a 537 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system on the roof of its Brockton facility. The solar array is expected to cover up to 80% of the company’s annual electricity use.
As a company that requires a great deal of electricity to operate their digital copiers, inserters, folders and presort equipment, JLS was looking for a way to reduce their energy costs. The 98-year old mailing company has been successful by taking advantage of every opportunity to stay competitive in the marketplace. When JLS started to explore solar energy as a solution to their ever-increasing electric bill, they realized its potential to provide more than cost savings.
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“Some people might say the print mailing industry is on the decline, but at JLS we aim to prove them wrong, and show that companies who innovate will continue to thrive,” said James Clark, president of JLS Mailing Services. Clark continued, “It’s exciting to introduce a clean energy technology to an industry that’s seldom thought of as being on the cutting-edge or environmentally friendly.” Rich Coakley, Project Manager at JLS added, “It’s been intriguing to connect with so many like-minded people through this process. We’re pleasantly surprised at how universally positive all the comments have been from customers, business partners and vendors.”
JLS Mailing Services is projected to save $93,000 annually on its electricity bill, and is able to take advantage of state and federal tax and financial incentives, including SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates), which are financial incentives based on the amount of solar energy the system generates. Electrical utility providers in Massachusetts purchase SRECs to help them meet their state-mandated goals of a percentage of power coming from renewable energy sources.
In addition to their solar installation, JLS is dedicated to improving electric efficiencies through utilizing state and federal grants; “We’re micro-managing our energy needs by applying for grants that assist with the replacement of older high-power consuming devices, with new high-efficiency ones,” said Clark. The company has already spearheaded a lighting efficiency initiative which should help save 7-8% of electric costs. JLS is also considering energy storage solutions, including back-up battery storage, as technology evolves. “Our goal,” says Clark, “Is to become a business that’s free from rent and electricity costs.”
“JLS is a company that is dedicated to reaching success through innovation,” said Steve Bianchi, partner at Solect. “They recognized the economic and sustainability benefits that result from going solar, and decided to leverage those benefits to bring their company to the next level. It has been a pleasure working with them on this project, and I look forward to helping them further address their energy goals with potential storage and efficiency solutions.”
— Solar Builder magazine
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