The 894 kW solar system is expected to generate approximately 1.1 MWhs of electricity annually. (photo courtesy MCS Industries)

MCS Industries, Inc. has announced it commissioned a roof-mounted solar power generating system at its new distribution facility in Palmer Township, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to removing 167 cars from Pennsylvania’s roads per year.

The 894 kW solar system is expected to generate approximately 1.1 MWhs of electricity annually, avoiding the emission of 828 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the air, according to MCS Industries President Josh MacNeel.

By promoting environmental conservation and an offset to traditional grid-supplied electricity, this project highlights the company’s pledge to manufacture products for retailers that embody a full product lifecycle approach to cleaner, more sustainable products for consumers.

“At MCS, sustainable corporate citizenry pulses through everything we do,” MacNeel said. “Our incredible team members are really proud to be a part of a great business, but more importantly a great business that does what’s right.”

MCS Industries is the U.S. market leader for picture frames, poster frames, mirrors, wall décor, and architectural and decorative moldings for home construction and home improvement markets.

This plant will provide most all of MCS Industries’ power needs for its nearly 500,000 square feet of operations in the Lehigh Valley, MacNeel said. When the company is not using the power, the excess will be returned to the Northeast power grid.

“The payback on a project of this magnitude is measures in tens of years financially, but immediate socially and environmentally,” MacNeel said.

The solar power generating system was installed on MCS Industries’ new 250,000 square-foot building in Palmer Township, near the company’s existing facility on Newlins Mill Road. The $20 million expansion project created or retained 40 jobs, according to the LVEDC 2020 Annual Report.

The Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC) has been actively engaged and communicative with MCS Industries over the past few years and provided guidance on the expansion project.

“MCS would like to express our gratitude to Don Cunningham, President & CEO of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, for their vital role in helping make this dream become a reality,” MacNeel said.

The company currently recycles more than 10 million pounds of primarily Styrofoam waste, formerly destined for landfills, using advanced technology to clean and reconstitute into products that save consumers money while also beautifying their houses, according to the company.