NEW JERSEY—Princetel, a fiber-optic rotary joint manufacturer, recently opened its new headquarters office at 2560 East State Street in Hamilton. Two years in the making, the new headquarters space includes a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, which was designed, engineered and constructed by Manasquan-based Solis Partners.
Occupying 41,500 sq. ft. of space, the facility serves as a production location for Princetel, where it will produce fiber-optic rotary joints and allied products. Fiber-optic rotary joints (FORJs) are key coupling devices in robotic vehicles, wind turbines, satellite antennas, high-definition broadcasting systems, medical imaging systems and submarines.
Princetel purchased the property in 2010, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorized as a brownfield. The company undertook major site remediation during which soil from the 3.2-acre lot was removed and replaced, including the soil from underneath the building.
The solar system was designed to cover 100 percent of Princetel's electricity needs and consists of 932 solar panels, which are expected to produce approximately 223,182 kilowatt-hours of electricity in the first year of operation. This equates to the reduction of more than 339,284 pounds of CO2 emissions.
Princetel is seeking Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) "Gold" accreditation, a recognition awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.