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Honey Cell, Inc. Installs Solar Energy System

First Solar System Installed on a Commercial Building in Shelton, CT

Bridgeport, CT – April 21, 2009 - Honey Cell Inc., a manufacturer of kraft paper honeycomb, announced today that it has recently harnessed the power of the sun by adding to its roofing system in Shelton over 1,100 solar energy panels installed by Mercury Solar Systems, Inc. The facility is located at 600 Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton, CT.
The solar photovoltaic power system on its roof is 200-Kilowatt (kW) and generates 210,000 kwh’s per year.  The solar panels have a life expectancy of more than 35 years.

“The solar installation was an important environmental and financial initiative for us. We anticipate a 30% reduction in our annual electricity bills and this couldn’t have happened without the grant we received from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund,” said Rudy Niedermeier, President of Honey Cell, Inc. “We thank Mercury Solar Systems for the smooth installation and for providing us a system that supports local green building standards.”

According to the EPA, the significant environmental benefits that will contribute toward climate change and environmental targets include:

  • Carbon Dioxide emissions which contribute to Global Warming: The solar installation will reduce annual Carbon emissions by 395,453 pounds.
  • Nitrogen Oxide(s) emissions which contribute to ground layer ozone and smog: The solar installation will reduce Nitrogen emissions by 358 pounds.
  • Sulfur Dioxide emissions which contribute to acid rain: The solar installation will reduce Sulfur emissions by 1,085 pounds

The benefit of this reduction is equivalent to:

  • Planting 19.872 acres of trees
  • Not driving 298,080 miles in a car
  • Recycling 3,816,469 twelve oz. cans
  • Not burning 10,691 gallons of gasoline

About Mercury Solar Systems:
Mercury Solar Systems designs and installs solar electric and solar thermal energy systems for commercial and residential customers in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. To date, the Company has installed over 6MW of solar energy systems making it the largest solar installer in New York State and the second largest in Connecticut. Mercury Solar Systems is a subsidiary of Aquus Energy, a leading provider of solar energy systems throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. For more information visit www.mercurysolarsystems.com.

About the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF)
CCEF was created by the Connecticut General Assembly and is funded by the electric ratepayers.  CCEF’s mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources for the benefit of Connecticut’s ratepayers in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state. CCEF is administered by Connecticut Innovations, a quasi-public authority.  For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

About Honey Cell, Inc.:
Honey Cell’s products are biodegradable and recyclable which caters to the “green” movement.  “Our customers are looking for packaging products that are earth friendly and our honeycomb products fit the bill,” says Vice President Arthur Vietze.  “We felt we should take the green movement to the next level and power our production facility with solar power.  It’s a commitment we take seriously in our marketplace.  Our customers are looking for alternatives to foam and plastic packaging, which are not environmentally friendly.”

Honey Cell offers a full line of honeycomb packaging products as well as paper pallets and structural products.  Visit our website www.HoneyCell-Inc.com or contact Sales Manager Bruce Padden at (203) 925-1818.

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