FLEXcon Provides Backsheet for Spire’s New Low Cost and UL Certified Bill of Materials

SPENCER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FLEXcon, an innovator in adhesive coating and laminating, has collaborated with Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR) and Arkema Inc., to develop a new photovoltaic module design and bill of materials (BOM). The BOM recently achieved the Master UL Listing by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). This newly approved BOM is the third to be added to Spire’s recommended BOM’s which, when adopted can result in cost savings for the solar module manufacturer. FLEXcon selected a FLEXcon multiGUARD® UL approved backsheet as a critical component of the solar module design.

Spire is a global solar company providing capital equipment and turnkey manufacturing lines to produce photovoltaic modules. They also provide engineering, procurement and construction integration services for solar systems. Arkema, a leading supplier of photovoltaic materials solutions including its Kynar® Film products, worked closely with FLEXcon to develop the FLEXcon multiGUARD backsheet and provided support in selecting the components for the BOM. This module will provide Spire’s customers with a greater selection when choosing a module design and BOM that is pre-approved by UL.

UL is a global independent organization that conducts safety testing and certification of products. Photovoltaic (PV) systems integrators require UL 1703 certified PV modules due to the high safety and quality standards of their installed PV Systems. UL has tested and evaluated Spire’s solar module design and determined that it meets the UL 1703 standards for safety and performance. Spire customers can receive the UL mark of approval within three weeks as opposed to a typical four months lead time from competitors that do not have the UL listing. In addition, start-up costs to enter the U.S. market can be significantly lower for Spire customers.

“Backsheets are a key component to building a safe and effective solar module design,” said Michelle Ostiguy, Director, Photovoltaic & Barrier, FLEXcon. “Spire’s customers can be confident that they are deploying a module using a BOM that is UL certified, low cost and offers the most readily available components of the highest quality. FLEXcon is proud to have worked with two industry leaders, Spire and Arkema to deliver this exciting offering to the marketplace.”

About FLEXcon

FLEXcon is an innovator in adhesive coating, laminating and finishing of durable materials used in graphics applications, electronics and new products. Through a culture of curiosity, flexibility and a drive for excellence, FLEXcon is the trusted partner to a wide range of companies from printers and fabricators to engineers and designers developing products for existing and emerging markets. Headquartered in Spencer, Mass. the company has operations throughout North America and Europe with distribution worldwide. For more information, visit www.FLEXcon.com or call 1-508-885-8200.

Spire to Attend 3rd Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules, cells, and solar systems worldwide, today announced its senior management will attend the 3^rd Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India from August 10^th through 12^th, 2009 at Hall 10, Booth S16.

According to its website, the 3rd Renewable Energy India 2009 Expo is the melting pot for global technologies. It is a platform to provide value for the domestic industry and showcase opportunities in the Indian market for global players. It is a forum to nurture business contacts, imbibe the latest technology trends, cultivate business relations and prepare for the exponential growth of renewables in India. For more information, please visit www.renewableenergyindiaexpo.com.

Spire Opens New Advanced Technology Center

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture photovoltaic (PV) modules worldwide, today announced it has upgraded and expanded its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) located at Spire’s headquarters in Bedford, Massachusetts.

The ATC consists of a state-of-the-art PV module production line for product development and PV material evaluations, including solar cells. This center consists of Spire’s most advanced module manufacturing equipment for customer evaluation and training. Spire’s long-pulse solar simulator, cell string assembler, cell tester and lamination equipment are all available.

In addition, the ATC is staffed to provide expert technical and engineering support for the assembly of customer modules. Modules made for Spire’s turnkey production line customers can be used for early certification to accelerate their entry into the market. The ATC laboratory is able to produce modules that qualify for United States (U.S.) and international standards such as UL 1703 and IEC 61215.

Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO, said, “Our investment in the ATC has been made to support Spire’s ‘Come to America’ program. This program is designed to bring international module manufacturers to the U.S. to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Stimulus Bill funding. The bill funding is aimed at putting more solar energy on line and creating millions of new jobs in America. It promises to make the U.S. the fastest growing PV market in the world over the next few years. This facility is an important asset to our bringing new manufacturers on line rapidly.”

Spire Celebrates 25 Years with The NASDAQ Stock Market

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (NASDAQ: SPIR), a global solar company, today announced that it is celebrating 25 years of being publically traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ). NASDAQ congratulated Spire on this achievement.

After filing its Form 10-K on March 31, 2009, Spire received a letter from NASDAQ stating that the Company has achieved compliance with listing requirements under both Standard I and the Total Assets/Total Revenue requirement of Standard II of the NASDAQ Global Market, contained in Marketplace Rule 4450(a) and 4450(b).

William Collins of NASDAQ OMX said, “It is my pleasure to present Spire Corporation with this special recognition commemorating its 25th trading anniversary on The NASDAQ Stock Market. We value this partnership and are honored that [Spire Corporation] made NASDAQ [its] market of choice. Congratulations…we look forward to celebrating many more years together.”

“We are happy to have reached this 25 year milestone,” said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. “Being a small publically traded on NASDAQ is not easy. That’s 100 quarters of SEC reporting. It testifies to how tough we are and our staying power. In fact, in October of this year, Spire will celebrate its 40th anniversary.”