Manchester, Connecticut - Allied Printing Services announced today that they are in the process of installing 4,591 solar panels on the roof of their 275,000 square foot facility in Manchester, Connecticut.  This major sustainable energy initiative will represent one of the largest arrays of solar photovoltaic panels in the state of Connecticut and New England. The company expects the installation to be completed and begin producing electricity in early June.

“This solar installation will provide environmental benefits to Allied Printing and its Connecticut and global communities,” said John G. Sommers, Jr., President and CEO of Allied, “It is part of our ongoing environmental sustainability program, and puts Allied in the forefront in utilizing renewable energy for the production of our clients’ commercial printing needs”.  Allied Printing’s use of solar power will result in the avoidance of about 1,116,000 pounds of CO2 per year.  This is the equivalent carbon offset effect of planting 27,000 acres of trees.  

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity by converting light energy into electrical energy using the photovoltaic effect.  Inverters then convert the direct current produced by the PV modules into alternating current for use throughout Allied Printing’s plant. The 4,591 solar module installation includes state-of-the art features and real-time data monitoring systems.  The 1,400 kW solar system will provide about 17% of Allied’s total electrical usage, enough to power more than 145 typical homes annually.  

Allied partnered with EnterSolar, a leading provider of solar photovoltaic systems to the commercial marketplace, for the design and installation of the new solar system, taking  advantage of federal, state and utility incentives in making the decision to commit to this major investment in green technology.  Allied expects a payback period of under 5 years given the current cost of electricity, and will be able to sell excess power generated by the solar system back to Eversource, the electric utility covering their service area. 

Allied Printing Services Inc. is a third generation family business located in Manchester, Connecticut.  The company is one of the largest privately held commercial print operations in the Northeast.  Its clients include leading companies in the financial, pharmaceutical, healthcare, manufacturing, and educational markets.