Solar array powers New Jersey flower retailer

March 10, 2010

New Jersey flower retailer World Class Flowers has had a 178kW solar power system installed at its headquarters in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.

Installed by Mercury Solar Systems, the system is expected to generate around $600,000 in revenue over the next five years for the sale of Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), under New Jersey’s rebates program.

It is also expected to cut the flower company’s electricity costs by more than $130,000 a year.

“We went green and so did our bank account,” said John Fietkiewicz, Controller at World Class Flowers.

“We did a lot of due diligence, especially on the benefits of SRECs, and from a long-term cost savings perspective it just made financial sense and we will make our money back in just a little over 3 years.”

“Great example”

The new system comprises 795 solar panels and four inverters, and should produce more than 215,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, supplying around 30% of the electricity required by World Class Flowers.

“World Class Flowers is a great example of how businesses in New Jersey can generate income off their roof,” said Jared Haines, President of Mercury Solar Systems. “SRECs are one of the most lucrative and powerful parts of the State’s rebate program and are helping businesses not only create long-term revenue streams but achieve a much quicker return on their solar investment.”

Mercury Solar Systems is based in Port Chester, NY, with offices in New Jersey and Connecticut. The company, which designs and installs both solar electric and solar thermal systems, recently expanded to Pennsylvania by acquiring Eos Energy Solutions, the solar system integrator based in Center City, Philadelphia.