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TerraSol Energies, Inc, a Mid-Atlantic solar systems installer and commercial partner of SunPower, recently completed a 313-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower solar power system at American Reading Company in King of Prussia. TerraSol Energies estimates that the new sustainability system will save American Reading Company approximately $2 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years.
The solar panel system installed at American Reading Company’s warehouse facility will reportedly produce 407.7 megawatt hours of energy each year, offsetting 100% of the company‘s electric demand. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, an average household uses 911 kilowatt hours per month, which means the power generated at this King of Prussia facility annually will be equivalent to that used by more than 37 homes each year.
American Reading founder and CEO Jane Hileman said her company had reviewed other proposals for eco-friendly power alternatives. She added, “As we looked for ways to reduce carbon emissions with solar panels, we appreciated TerraSol’s expertise, thoroughness and patient support throughout our decision making process.”
“We saw many common parallels with TerraSol’s mission-driven family team and our own business,” Hileman reported.
“Every year, the system will also reduce carbon emissions by 310 tons, which is equal to the planting of 230 acres of forest in Chester County parks or reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from 59 automobiles in the area,” explained Robert Santoleri, vice president of TerraSol Energies.
TerraSol was selected in March by the King of Prussia-based company to install the SunPower® Helix™ Roof as part of American Reading’s commitment to cleaner energy solutions. Santoleri explained that the most popular feature of the Helix rooftop system is that it can be installed almost three times faster than other solutions and that it does not require any roof penetrations. “It is built to last and combines world-record efficiency SunPower panels with the best roof coverage in the industry to generate 72 percent more energy on the roof compared to conventional solar rooftop technology,” he said.
“The SunPower Helix product is the world's first fully-integrated rooftop solar solution for commercial customers that enables companies like American Reading to scale their solar programs quickly with minimal business disruption, and maximize the solar power generated on the roof,” Santoleri added.
According to Santoleri, qualifying companies that install solar power system may leverage the federal investment tax credit and accelerated depreciation as well as sell energy credits to yield a very attractive return on investment for renewable energy projects.
TerraSol officials say that the photovoltaic conversion of solar energy into electricity is one of the most reliable and widely-used methods of renewable energy production in the world. “Its low maintenance, combined with its near limitless source of power make it one of, if not the, most effective use of natural sources of energy on the planet.” Santoleri added.
About TerraSol Energies:
TerraSol Energies, Inc. was founded in 2009 by a professional group of Villanova University graduate engineers who are recognized experts in the field of solar energy. The TerraSol team provides full-service energy solutions with a focus on renewable energy and high efficiency lighting. TerraSol has successfully completed more than 60 installations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, DC, during the last seven years with both commercial and residential partners. As a distributor of SunPower, a global leader in solar efficiencies and innovation, TerraSol Energies is one of the area’s most preferred and knowledgeable teams of solar specialists. The company is noted for its customized installations which have achieved significant economies of scale for companies, organizations and homeowners in the mid-Atlantic region. TerraSol Energies, Inc., which is based in Glen Mills, PA, has been a SunPower partner since 2011. For more information, visit TSE-Solar.com.
