Siemens Solar Industries, L.P. and PowerLight Corp. have formed a strategic alliance to manufacture PowerLight's PowerGuard solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles in Chatsworth, Calif. This alliance helps California - and especially the City of Los Angeles - meet the increasing demand for clean energy with solar electric power.
Under the agreement, Siemens Solar and PowerLight have established a specialized manufacturing line at a Siemens Solar module manufacturing facility. This production line is capable of manufacturing up to 6 megawatts (and can be expanded to 15-20 megawatts) of solar electric roof tiles per year, primarily for use in Los Angeles' commercial, industrial, and government facilities. When operated at full capacity, the installed output from this joint Siemens-PowerLight manufacturing line helps eliminate 7.5 million pounds per year of harmful emissions from the atmosphere and provides reliable electricity, fueled by the sun, during periods of peak demand.
The roof tiles are a patented, lightweight solar PV roofing assembly optimized for flat and low-sloped roofs. The PowerGuard roof tiles will incorporate Siemens' high efficiency single crystalline cells. Over their 30-year design life, the roof tiles will reduce customers' utility costs while extending the lifetime of the roof.
Los Angeles businesses and homeowners are already installing Siemens Solar earthsafe solar electric systems at reduced rates, thanks to the Solar Incentive program offered by the L.A. Department of Water and Power (LADWP) under the Green LA Program. In addition to the Solar Power Program, the internationally recognized Green LA initiatives include Energy Efficiency, Green Power, Electric Transportation, Cool Schools Tree Planting and Recycling efforts. Through the visionary solar power incentive program, the LADWP offers its residential and commercial customers a rebate of $6 per watt for solar electric systems manufactured in the City of Los Angeles. The LADWP's goal is to encourage the installation of 100,000 solar systems in Los Angeles by 2010, and to install more than 2.5 megawatts of power each year for the next four years.
'We're thrilled that Siemens Solar and PowerLight have expanded their manufacturing capabilities in Los Angeles,' said Angelina Galiteva, director of strategic planning of the LADWP, 'It's always been a key goal of our Green LA Program, and it's exciting to see the addition of PowerLight to the Siemens module fab.'
'PowerLight's strong solar electric system technology made it an ideal partner for our business development efforts in LA,' said Chet Farris, executive vice president and COO of Siemens Solar. He added, 'By teaming with PowerLight, we can further our goals of making solar electricity mainstream.'
'In aligning with Siemens Solar, PowerLight is bringing its technology and expertise to a burgeoning market that's eager for clean, reliable and secure energy sources,' stated Daniel S. Shugar, executive vice president of PowerLight Corp. 'We're extremely pleased to be working with Siemens Solar and the LADWP to meet the growing demand for solar PV.'
About Siemens Solar
Siemens Solar Industries L.P., headquartered in Camarillo, Calif., is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photovoltaic cells and modules. The company is committed to delivering products of superior quality and value to its customers worldwide. Siemens Solar cells and modules consistently outperform competing products at all levels of sunlight. Given their high performance and reliability characteristics, Siemens Solar modules are the modules of choice for a diverse array of distributed power systems. For additional information about SSI, visit their web site at www.siemenssolar.com. For sales information, contactssi.sales@solar.siemens.com.
About PowerLight
PowerLight (www.powerlight.com) is the leading manufacturer of commercial-scale solar electric products and services. Founded in 1991, PowerLight's systems deliver reliable, affordable clean power for commercial and government customers worldwide. Inc Magazine has ranked the PowerLight Corp. among the top 500 fastest growing privately held companies in 2000 and 2001. Today, PowerLight has worldwide offices and a full line of commercial solar electric products.
About PowerGuard(R)
PowerGuard solar rooftop panels reduce utility costs substantially while extending the lifetime of the roof and providing added thermal insulation benefits to the building. The patented, lightweight photovoltaic (PV) roofing assembly uses Siemens solar modules and delivers clean solar electricity to the building while protecting the roof from damaging effects of weather and UV radiation.
