Bluebird Technologies, a subsidiary of Bluebird Auto Rental Systems, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to commemorate the installation of its new solar electric system.

The ceremony was attended by Rockaway Township's Mayor Louis S. Sceusi, Bluebird President, Angela Margolit, and The Solar Center's CEO Ed Steins, along with employees from Bluebird and The Solar Center. Bluebird and The Solar Center are both based in Rockaway Township, N.J.

The solar electric system will save substantial electricity by cutting back on Bluebird's usage from the grid. Also, the system will have environmental benefits equivalent to the absorption of CO2 from planting 3.2 acres of trees, or cutting back annual green house emissions from roughly taking three cars off of the road.

"Bluebird Technologies had been providing IT support for The Solar Center for years. With the push for companies to go green - along with government incentives - I thought it would be a good time to do some bartering," Margolit said.

"IT Solution companies such as Bluebird have sizable electric consumption. This new solar electric system installation allows Bluebird to build sustainable practices into their business while enjoying great savings on their electric bills. At the same time ... Bluebird Technologies, generates revenue for its business through the sale of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program, Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) Program," Ed Steins, CEO of The Solar Center, said.

"The total electric saving and SREC income for the system is over $300,000 during the 20-year plus life of the system. The first year solar incentives of $79,000 include a federal grant, which Bluebird Technologies will enjoy through the federal stimulus package. In total, the system will pay for itself in less than six years with a 20 percent rate of return making this a great investment for Bluebird Technologies," Steins added.