Posty Cards Installs Solar Panel Array That Offsets 11% of Electricity Usage

The solar panel array consists of 198 Sharp 224 Watt solar panels and is the largest private installation in the Kansas City region.

(Kansas City, MO - July 23, 2010) Posty Cards, a family owned and operated manufacturer of corporate greeting cards, has installed the largest private solar panel array in the Kansas City, Missouri region. The array consists of 198 Sharp 224 Watt solar panels made in the USA for a total of 44.3 kilowatts. It is grid-tied and offsets 11% of total electricity usage.

Installed by The Energy Savings Store, the array features six SMA 7,000 Watt inverters to convert the DC electricity generated by the panels into usable AC electricity for the facility. By using special clamps that attach to the seams of the metal roof, only one roof penetration was required in the installation of the panels.

Posty Cards is one of the first businesses to take advantage of Kansas City Power & Light’s new solar rebate program of $2 per watt, offsetting the cost by nearly 25%. In addition, the company received a federal grant of 30% and accelerated depreciation.

The solar installation, which became operational this month, is part of a $6.4 million expansion/remodel project expected to be completed in August. Erick Jessee, President of Posty Cards, announced earlier this year that the company is striving toward LEED Platinum certification for the expanded facility. In addition to the large solar component, the new plant will feature solar heated water, very high efficiency HVAC, natural lighting with active artificial lighting controls, rain water reclamation for irrigation and flushing toilets, and native plant landscaping. Posty Cards is also Green-e certified with 100% of its electricity offset by renewable wind power.

“With our new solar PV array now generating over 11% of our total power, we’ve taken a huge step toward our goal of offering customers the most sustainably produced products and services in our industry,” said Erick Jessee, President.

About The Energy Savings Store (TESS):
TESS is the largest and most experienced wind and solar firm (including design, engineering, procurement, and construction) in Missouri and Kansas with offices in Lenexa, KS and St. Louis, MO. For more information, visit theenergysavingsstore.com.

About Posty Cards:
Posty Cards has been helping companies nationwide build and maintain relationships with their clients since 1948. The company designs, manufactures and sells beautiful personalized business birthday cards, business thank you cards, corporate holiday cards, business Christmas greeting cards, business calendars and more at the lowest prices available. Posty Cards is committed to sustainability: all electricity is 100% offset by renewable wind power, catalogs are printed on FSC certified paper and they maintain an extensive recycling program. All cards are printed with soy ink and many are printed on recycled or FSC certified paper. Posty Cards also manufactures the Sustainable Sentiments™ line of cards featuring environmentally inspired, “green” designs. For more information, visit www.postycards.com.