NEW YORK & LARISSA, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Skies Solar, Inc. (OTCBB:CSKH), a leading developer and provider of solar power solutions, today announced the establishment of a corporate office in the city of Larissa, in Central Greece. Partnering with Larissa-based Aspen Energy, whose focus is the procurement of solar energy business opportunities throughout Greece, Clear Skies Solar (CSS) will serve as Aspen’s exclusive supplier of renewable energy technology and installation.
“We are extremely enthusiastic about entering a country that represents one of the fastest-growing markets for solar energy,” said Clear Skies Solar Chairman and CEO Ezra Green. “In teaming up with Aspen Energy, a locally based company, and combining our industry expertise with Aspen’s extensive knowledge of the country’s unique and rapidly expanding renewable energy needs, we are certain of our ability to anticipate and meet the growing demand.”
Due to government tax incentives, Greece has emerged as a leading market for solar power. In 2006, the country’s Parliament passed comprehensive Renewable Energy Sources legislation, part of which provides grants and favorable tax treatment as incentives for implementing solar energy solutions. For commercial entities, incentives in the form of grants can run as high as 50 percent of the total cost of a company’s solar system.
Furthermore, high levels of environmental awareness among Greece’s populace are a driving demand for renewable energy sources.
For its new office, which will be led by Aspen Energy Managing Director Evaggelos Tsoupakis, Clear Skies Solar will hire a staff of local individuals, with US-based personnel overseeing the location’s operational setup.
“This partnership will exponentially enhance our companies’ joint ability to capitalize on Greece’s burgeoning solar market,” Tsoupakis stated. “Given the strategic location of the new office, I am confident we will be able to proactively identify, pursue and secure a variety of significant business opportunities and this process has already begun with proposals submitted for a number of near-term commercial projects being evaluated.”
“Clear Skies Solar’s expansion and collaboration with Aspen Energy is simply a win-win for everyone involved,” Green added, “We look forward to many, many years of productive and profitable partnership.”
Going beyond its base in the United States, Clear Skies Solar’s Larissa office marks the company’s second expansion into the international arena. In April, CSS announced a $20 million letter of intent to develop and build a multi-megawatt solar energy system in Uttar Pradesh, India, that will power a steel mill and support the community’s energy grid system. For this project, CSS will provide technology, engineering and construction services. Additionally, the company will be available to support the system’s operational and maintenance needs.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Evergreen Solar Inks $1.2 Billion Deal
MARLBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Evergreen Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR), a manufacturer of solar power panels with its proprietary, low-cost String Ribbon™ wafer technology, announced it has signed a new long-term sales contract valued at approximately $1.2 billion with German-based IBC SOLAR AG. This contract extends through 2013 and brings the company’s total contractual backlog to nearly $3 billion with 5 customers.
“We are very pleased to begin this significant long term relationship with IBC SOLAR, the largest PV distributor in the world”, said Richard M. Feldt, Evergreen Solar's chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This contract represents the single largest contract in the history of our company and is one of the largest contracts ever between a panel manufacturer and a distributor.”
The solar panels for these take-or-pay contracts will be manufactured at the Company’s new 160 MW facility in Devens, Massachusetts, which opened in June, and at the Company’s next factory, which is expected to open in 2010. To date, the Company has contracted approximately 70 percent of Devens expected capacity through 2010 and all of Devens capacity in 2011 through 2013.
“Quality comes first at IBC SOLAR”, said Udo Möhrstedt, President and CEO of IBC SOLAR. “Our aim is to make the use of solar energy easy and competitive for our customers. Evergreen’s solar panels are one of the highest quality products in the industry. By adding Evergreen to our product portfolio, we can meet the growing demand of our customers.”
“We are very pleased to begin this significant long term relationship with IBC SOLAR, the largest PV distributor in the world”, said Richard M. Feldt, Evergreen Solar's chairman, president and chief executive officer. “This contract represents the single largest contract in the history of our company and is one of the largest contracts ever between a panel manufacturer and a distributor.”
The solar panels for these take-or-pay contracts will be manufactured at the Company’s new 160 MW facility in Devens, Massachusetts, which opened in June, and at the Company’s next factory, which is expected to open in 2010. To date, the Company has contracted approximately 70 percent of Devens expected capacity through 2010 and all of Devens capacity in 2011 through 2013.
“Quality comes first at IBC SOLAR”, said Udo Möhrstedt, President and CEO of IBC SOLAR. “Our aim is to make the use of solar energy easy and competitive for our customers. Evergreen’s solar panels are one of the highest quality products in the industry. By adding Evergreen to our product portfolio, we can meet the growing demand of our customers.”
WorldWater And Solar Kicks Off Ocean City Project
EWING, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp. (OTC BB: WWAT), developer and marketer of proprietary high-power solar systems, today announced that it has begun work on several solar installations for Ocean City. The systems, consisting of roof mounts on the Cultural Arts and Community Center, the new Public Works Complex building, the Vehicle Maintenance Center, the Sports and Civic Center and the Firehouse, are anticipated to produce nearly 550,000 kilowatt-hours of energy in their first year. Project completion is expected by the fourth quarter of 2008.
“As announced earlier, Ocean City will take a leap forward in its efforts to harness the power of the sun through our proven roof-mounted systems,” said Frank Smith, CEO. “The 15 year contract provides the city with lower-cost energy at a time when oil prices remain at record highs. As a leader in providing solar energy in our home state of New Jersey, where Governor Corzine recently unveiled his draft Energy Master Plan, we are pleased to see this project get underway.”
“As announced earlier, Ocean City will take a leap forward in its efforts to harness the power of the sun through our proven roof-mounted systems,” said Frank Smith, CEO. “The 15 year contract provides the city with lower-cost energy at a time when oil prices remain at record highs. As a leader in providing solar energy in our home state of New Jersey, where Governor Corzine recently unveiled his draft Energy Master Plan, we are pleased to see this project get underway.”
Solarfun Lands 47 MW Solar Contract With Major European Distributor
SHANGHAI, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: SOLF), an established manufacturer of photovoltaic (“PV”) cells, modules and ingots in China, today announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has entered into a 47.0 MW sales contract with Schüco International KG (“Schüco”), a leading PV system provider in Europe.
Under the terms of the agreement, Solarfun has agreed to supply a total of 47.0 MW of PV modules to Schüco at a fixed price to be delivered according to a binding delivery schedule from December 2008 to October 2009. The PV modules are intended to be installed in major projects in south-east Europe and the Middle-East.
Harold Hoskens, Chief Executive Officer of Solarfun, commented, "This is our largest project contract to date and we are happy to have signed it with Schüco. Schüco is a leading PV system provider in Europe and is recognized as an important player in the growing PV market. We look forward to further developing our relationship with them. We are also particularly happy to partner on this project since it gives us the opportunity to diversify our business outside of the more established markets in Europe and introduce our PV modules in significant quantities to south-east Europe and the Middle East, which we believe will be key markets for solar energy in the near future.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Solarfun has agreed to supply a total of 47.0 MW of PV modules to Schüco at a fixed price to be delivered according to a binding delivery schedule from December 2008 to October 2009. The PV modules are intended to be installed in major projects in south-east Europe and the Middle-East.
Harold Hoskens, Chief Executive Officer of Solarfun, commented, "This is our largest project contract to date and we are happy to have signed it with Schüco. Schüco is a leading PV system provider in Europe and is recognized as an important player in the growing PV market. We look forward to further developing our relationship with them. We are also particularly happy to partner on this project since it gives us the opportunity to diversify our business outside of the more established markets in Europe and introduce our PV modules in significant quantities to south-east Europe and the Middle East, which we believe will be key markets for solar energy in the near future.”
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Office Depot Opens First "Green" Store
DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Office Depot® (NYSE:ODP), a leading global provider of office products and services, today will celebrate the grand opening of its first “Green” store, located at 2620 W. Anderson Lane in Austin, TX, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled for 2:00 pm. The event will be attended by Office Depot executives, Texas dignitaries, including City of Austin Mayor Will Wynn, local environmental organizations and representatives from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Office Depot’s “Green” store, which is pre-certified to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by the USGBC, will use less energy and water in its daily operations, increase recycling and leave a much smaller overall environmental footprint than the typical store of its size.
“The City of Austin is the birthplace of the USGBC and a leader in our nation’s fight against climate change,” said City of Austin Mayor Will Wynn. “We are proud that Office Depot chose to select Austin as the site of its green retail prototype. We think what they are doing shows real leadership – and paves the path for more retailers to invest in green building.”
Office Depot is the only office supply retailer participating in the USGBC’s prestigious Retail Volume Certification Portfolio Program, a pilot group formed to help retailers achieve LEED-Certification at numerous locations and to facilitate the certification process for a company’s prototype. Office Depot is the first Company to have its prototype pre-certified under the USGBC's LEED for New Construction Volume Certification Program.
“We are looking forward to taking care of business for our Austin customers at our first pre-certified ‘Green’ store,” said Chuck Rubin, President of North American Retail for Office Depot. “Not only can customers choose from thousands of greener office products within Office Depot's industry-leading assortment but they will also have a better understanding of why a particular product is green and how they can make sustainable products a part of their home office or business environment.”
"We took a series of innovative green design elements used in Office Depot store locations across the country and brought them together in our new store prototype," added Ed Costa, Vice President of Construction for Office Depot. "Through the construction phase of this prototype design we used a wide range of greener building products and practices.”
Office Depot Green Store Highlights
Features of the new Office Depot “Green” store in Austin include:
* T5 energy-efficient lighting, which is over 30 percent more efficient than traditional, incandescent lighting.
* Over 50 active skylights that adjust with the path of the sun and provide natural light to over 90 percent of the store.
* Solar panels on the roof, which generate about 10 percent of the store’s energy needs and power the exterior Office Depot signage.
* Reflective roof which features a membrane that helps to prevent absorption of the heat from the sun and keeps the interior of the store much cooler.
* Steel decking and joists made of over 85 percent recycled steel and recycled concrete partitions composed of more than 95 percent recycled materials.
* Water conservation interior fixtures, including dual flush toilets, low flow urinals, and automatic shutoff sensors in restrooms that will use over 40 percent less water than the typical facility.
* Exterior Landscaping system featuring xeriscaping, a water-efficient technique.
* Native plants that require no additional irrigation for sustenance.
* Energy Management System that allows tracking of energy usage and trends from one central location.
* Office supplies, technology and furniture options featuring a wide range of green attributes such as recycled content, remanufactured, EnergyStar certified and non-toxic.
* In-store Recycling Center with environmental solutions including Office Depot Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling, Tech Recycling Service and Cell Phone and Rechargeable Battery Recycling.
Another innovative aspect of the Office Depot green store is a new approach to visual merchandising. The interior walls feature educational vignettes about how the store and product assortment are both greener; customers will be welcomed by an informational board containing interesting facts and details on what makes the store green; and store associates will be armed with tips and recommendations to help customers learn how to green their own business.
Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy for Office Depot added: “Office Depot has an environmental vision to increasingly buy green, be green and sell green. While we have already achieved dramatic reductions in carbon emissions from our existing facilities, this new store takes us to a completely new level of energy efficiency, carbon reduction and waste reduction. The pre-certification of our prototype further establishes Office Depot as the green leader in the office products industry."
Office Depot’s “Green” store, which is pre-certified to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by the USGBC, will use less energy and water in its daily operations, increase recycling and leave a much smaller overall environmental footprint than the typical store of its size.
“The City of Austin is the birthplace of the USGBC and a leader in our nation’s fight against climate change,” said City of Austin Mayor Will Wynn. “We are proud that Office Depot chose to select Austin as the site of its green retail prototype. We think what they are doing shows real leadership – and paves the path for more retailers to invest in green building.”
Office Depot is the only office supply retailer participating in the USGBC’s prestigious Retail Volume Certification Portfolio Program, a pilot group formed to help retailers achieve LEED-Certification at numerous locations and to facilitate the certification process for a company’s prototype. Office Depot is the first Company to have its prototype pre-certified under the USGBC's LEED for New Construction Volume Certification Program.
“We are looking forward to taking care of business for our Austin customers at our first pre-certified ‘Green’ store,” said Chuck Rubin, President of North American Retail for Office Depot. “Not only can customers choose from thousands of greener office products within Office Depot's industry-leading assortment but they will also have a better understanding of why a particular product is green and how they can make sustainable products a part of their home office or business environment.”
"We took a series of innovative green design elements used in Office Depot store locations across the country and brought them together in our new store prototype," added Ed Costa, Vice President of Construction for Office Depot. "Through the construction phase of this prototype design we used a wide range of greener building products and practices.”
Office Depot Green Store Highlights
Features of the new Office Depot “Green” store in Austin include:
* T5 energy-efficient lighting, which is over 30 percent more efficient than traditional, incandescent lighting.
* Over 50 active skylights that adjust with the path of the sun and provide natural light to over 90 percent of the store.
* Solar panels on the roof, which generate about 10 percent of the store’s energy needs and power the exterior Office Depot signage.
* Reflective roof which features a membrane that helps to prevent absorption of the heat from the sun and keeps the interior of the store much cooler.
* Steel decking and joists made of over 85 percent recycled steel and recycled concrete partitions composed of more than 95 percent recycled materials.
* Water conservation interior fixtures, including dual flush toilets, low flow urinals, and automatic shutoff sensors in restrooms that will use over 40 percent less water than the typical facility.
* Exterior Landscaping system featuring xeriscaping, a water-efficient technique.
* Native plants that require no additional irrigation for sustenance.
* Energy Management System that allows tracking of energy usage and trends from one central location.
* Office supplies, technology and furniture options featuring a wide range of green attributes such as recycled content, remanufactured, EnergyStar certified and non-toxic.
* In-store Recycling Center with environmental solutions including Office Depot Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling, Tech Recycling Service and Cell Phone and Rechargeable Battery Recycling.
Another innovative aspect of the Office Depot green store is a new approach to visual merchandising. The interior walls feature educational vignettes about how the store and product assortment are both greener; customers will be welcomed by an informational board containing interesting facts and details on what makes the store green; and store associates will be armed with tips and recommendations to help customers learn how to green their own business.
Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy for Office Depot added: “Office Depot has an environmental vision to increasingly buy green, be green and sell green. While we have already achieved dramatic reductions in carbon emissions from our existing facilities, this new store takes us to a completely new level of energy efficiency, carbon reduction and waste reduction. The pre-certification of our prototype further establishes Office Depot as the green leader in the office products industry."
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