GloPak recently installed a solar power system at its New Jersey manufacturing plant in South Plainfield, consisting of 3,454 solar panels mounted to the roof.

Harold Martin, CEO of GloPak, said the solar power structure supports the company's ability to build energy-sustainable products while minimizing the carbon footprint of its plant.

The new mounted solar panels are expected to provide 1 megawatt of energy to the plant, which would save the company $180,000 annually in energy spending. The Solar Center installed the solar panels, which will begin operation in early 2012.

Gerry Heimbuch, vice president of commercial projects for The Solar Center, said the installation at GloPak will be the largest green initiative in the manufacturing industry in New Jersey.

Another installation of a solar energy structure in the state recently began operation at the Ice House of New Jersey, which announced it activated the new 843-kilowatt solar system. The system is expected to meet 22 percent of the facility's annual electricity needs.