Vermont Business Magazine Manufacturing Solutions Inc (MSI) of Morrisville commits to an environmentally and fiscally sustainable future by installing a large solar panel array on their warehouse facility that is projected to offset 50 percent of the annual electric consumption of MSI's operations.
"Manufacturing Solutions is a true industry leader. They invest in their people and their business by partnering with other local businesses to grow their company and the community as a whole,” said Eric Bornemann, owner of SustainableVT, a local Morrisville solar engineering and consulting firm that MSI collaborated with on the project. “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with Manufacturing Solutions to help them make a sound economic investment in their business and energy future."
The new roof-mounted American-assembled solar array is made up of 1,361 individual 395 watt Hanwha Q.Cell modules that feed five 100kw SolarEdge Inverters. In total, the system generates 538kw of solar energy. With Vermont's net metering program, the energy produced will offset an estimated 50 percent of the electrical needs of MSI's facility. The solar array stimulated local business in construction and installation through the use of local SustainableVT's expert involvement.
When the Morrisville facility was designed, MSI planned for this scale of solar installation, and was able to accomplish it economically and easily as a result. MSI partnered with the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to obtain financing through VEDA's Commercial Energy Loan Program. This investment in facility sustainability not only benefited local businesses, but also demonstrates the extreme pride that MSI takes in long-term environmental sustainability and commitment to the future of energy-conscious manufacturing and production. This cutting-edge commitment to sustainability is forefront to the direction of MSI, which sees energy efficiency as a responsible path toward a healthier and more prosperous future for Vermont and the world climate.
Partnering with SustainableVT was a natural step for MSI, as community collaboration and locally beneficial action was a key goal of the project. Since its founding in 1996, MSI has continued to make efforts to enrich local business and communities through its core values of:
- Accountability
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Productivity
- Solution-Oriented
Throughout Northern Vermont and New England, MSI serves customers in contract manufacturing, assembly, precision cutting, fulfillment services, property management, transportation and logistics services. Its dedication to an environmentally sustainable future for its facilities is coupled with its commitment to a financially sustainable future for its clients, employees, and collaborators to deliver excellent service and forward thinking, putting them on the cutting edge of the manufacturing industry. This project offers evidence that "Solutions is our middle name" isn't just a company motto for MSI, but the way they conduct business in all regards.
Key insights from the project:
- MSI reduced future energy costs and tax liability while improving its ability to lower their environmental footprint into the future.
- An estimated 50 percent offset in energy consumption to accommodate the recent addition of a third shift of operations at the facility, which significantly increased energy consumption at the facility.
- Using American-assembled components, the project was installed by local Vermont workers, providing maximum benefit to the community and local economy.
- The solar array will provide an estimated 500,000 kilowatt hours annually through 1,361 individual solar cells and five inverters.
- The project was planned from the beginning of the facility’s design, demonstrating the long-term planning necessary to limit the impact of manufacturing energy use on the world climate.
- MSI continues to demonstrate that it will plan ahead, take necessary steps, and do its part to lead the manufacturing industry into a more sustainable future for Vermont.
About MSI
Manufacturing Solutions, Inc. (MSI) is a Morrisville, VT-based ISO-9001 ; 2015 contract manufacturer. MSI is a provider of electrical and mechanical assembly, sub-assembly, specialty material cutting, kitting, packaging, fulfillment, and worldwide logistics services for producers of all sizes. MSI employs nearly 500 manufacturing technicians, in a 178,000 SF production facility.
Source: Morrisville, VT, Dec. 2020: Manufacturing Solutions Inc