Historic Connecticut Printing Firm Saves $1.2M with Solar Energy Upgrade

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Hitchcock Printing & Distribution Services, a century-old printing company, has installed a state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic system that is projected to save the business $1.2 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

The 227-kilowatt system, developed and installed by Smart Roofs Solar Inc., was financed through Connecticut‘s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. The financing allows commercial property owners to install green energy upgrades and pay for them over time, with terms up to 25 years.

“The addition of our solar system is a key to staying competitive now and in the future,” said Anthony Bracco, president of Hitchcock Printing. “State-of-the-art equipment and a highly trained youthful workforce accompanied with a plan to manage our energy costs will ensure that we have an edge in the years to come.”

Founded in 1904 by Edwin Rogers Hitchcock, the company operates from a 21,000-square-foot facility on John Downey Drive. The business specializes in printing, creative design, finishing and mailing services.

Since 2013, C-PACE financing has helped building owners complete more than 400 projects, leading to an estimated $420 million in energy savings. The program is administered by the Connecticut Green Bank, a Hartford-based organization that uses public funds to attract private capital for green energy projects.

“We are seeing continued interest in C-PACE from energy-intensive businesses seeking ways to reduce their energy-cost burdens, especially through the addition of solar systems,” said Mackey Dykes, vice president of Financing Programs at the Connecticut Green Bank. “It’s exciting when companies with long histories in their community, like Hitchcock Printing, take advantage of green technologies to enhance their bottom line.”

The solar installation at Hitchcock Printing is part of a growing trend among Connecticut businesses to adopt renewable energy solutions. The state has been a leader in promoting green energy initiatives, with the Connecticut Green Bank reporting significant growth in solar installations across commercial and residential properties in recent years.