Sea Gull Lighting Completes Installation of New Solar-Powered Energy System

Riverside, New Jersey - November 21, 2006 – Sea Gull Lighting Products, LLC, a leading manufacturer and marketer of decorative and functional lighting products, has continued its long-term commitment to the conservation of energy and reduction of energy costs through the installation of a new solar-powered energy system at its Riverside, New Jersey headquarters and Burlington Township, New Jersey Distribution Center. 

Provided and operated by SunEdison, LLC, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, the new system is expected to supply in excess of 20 percent of each facility’s peak power load during periods of heaviest demand in the year.  In addition to the reduced electric costs, for the next ten-years Sea Gull Lighting has locked in price rates for the electricity generated by the solar energy system.  According to SunEdison, the Sea Gull Lighting solar system is expected to save over 10% in annual electricity costs and eliminate the equivalent green house gases of driving over 700,000 miles annually. 

“The use of solar energy at two of our largest facilities not only benefits our company, but also actively supports our community’s energy conservation efforts,” says Alan Hirsch, executive vice president of administration at Sea Gull Lighting. “In addition, this system is simply good business because it gives us predictable pricing on a good portion of our energy needs for decades to come.  Our company strongly believes in the “greening” of America and is dedicated to furthering the cause through the ever-increasing introduction of energy-efficient products and the adoption of best practices that will help us all save energy and reduce energy costs”, he added. 

A proud partner of the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program and two-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award recipient, Sea Gull Lighting manufactures the industry’s largest selection of ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures and ceiling fans in wide ranging styles and finishes.  

The system works by converting sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity through solar panels composed of materials similar to those used in computer chips. Inverters then change the direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity for use within the building’s existing electrical system. Designed with 5,688 solar panels, the new system began operating this past summer and the final phase of installation was completed this month. In its first year of operation, each 500kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Sea Gull Lighting is expected to save nearly 600,000kWh of electricity provided by local utilities.   

According to Jigar Shah, CEO of SunEdison, “Sea Gull Lighting had considered other models for solar which required significant capital outlay. Our solar service model significantly changed the equation. Sea Gull Lighting is able to get the immediate benefits of reduced prices and long term predictable energy pricing with little capital expense. Our service model is simplifying solar.”