SOLON AG Implements Photovoltaic Systems in Spain as Flagship Projects in the dena Solar Roofs Program
Berlin/Madrid, April 18, 2007 - Today's inauguration of a photovoltaic system on the building housing the German Chamber of Foreign Trade for Spain in Madrid represented the kickoff of a Spain-wide information campaign on the use of solar energy. The campaign is sponsored by the German solar module producer SOLON AG, by Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), and by numerous German and Spanish solar technology companies. Honorary guests at the inauguration organized by the Chamber of Foreign Trade included Mr. Carlos López Jimeno, Director General de la Industria, Energía y Minas de la Comunidad de Madrid and Mr. Fernando Marti Scharfhausen, Vicepresidente de la Comisión Nacional de la Energía.
Solar roof projects are being implemented at a total of four locations in Spain in order to make the broad public aware of the possibilities of solar energy. In addition to the Chamber of Foreign Commerce in Madrid, the other partners in the project are the German schools in Bilbao, Malaga, and Tenerife. At each of these locations, a photovoltaic system is being installed as a demonstration and reference facility. When they are completed, training programs will be offered for local installers.
Accompanying communication measures such as regional PR campaigns, brochures, and a website dedicated to the project are meant to make the public more aware of the potentials of solar energy. A large display in the entrance area of the buildings and a website inform the resident staff and visitors to the Chamber of Commerce and the schools about solar irradiance, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the output and yield data of the respective photovoltaic systems.
The Director of the German Foreign Chamber of Commerce for Spain, Peter Moser, welcomed the concept. "Renewable energies and in this case photovoltaics are a good example of how well Spain and Germany can work with each other in developing new, innovative, and sustainable business opportunities. This is climate protection in action - both countries can benefit from the value-added process and knowledge transfer."
"Our photovoltaic projects at the schools and the Chamber of Commerce are meant to demonstrate how important high quality components and installation methodologies are for long lasting solar energy systems," said Andreas Liebheit, Director Sales at SOLON AG, referring to the German module producer's participation in the information campaign in Spain. SOLON AG has been active in Spain for several years now, and above all has been involved in a number of solar power plant projects.
The conditions for the use of solar energy are ideal: With an average of 2,500 sun hours per year and an average insolation of 1,650 kilowatt hours per square meter, Spain has the highest technological use potential for solar energy in the European Union.
For additional information, visit www.solon-en-espana.com
SOLON AG:
SOLON AG was founded in 1997 and in 1998 was the first German solar company to go public. In the early days of the company, the focus was on building integrated photovoltaics. In addition to numerous other projects, SOLON AG equipped approximately two thirds of the new government buildings in Berlin with solar systems in the years 1998 to 2001. Today, SOLON AG is one of the largest European solar module producers and a leading provider of photovoltaic systems for large-scale solar power plants. The SOLON Group has subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA and has more than 500 employees worldwide. The core business of SOLON is the production of solar modules of various power classes and turnkey photovoltaic systems for the construction of solar power plants (SOLON Movers).
Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH:
Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena), headquartered in Berlin, is the competence center and information platform for energy efficiency. The company develops, initiates, and coordinates projects, programs, and campaigns to promote energy efficiency in Germany. The objective is to use energy rationally and in an environmentally responsible manner, to increase the use of regenerative energy sources, and advance innovative technologies and services. This market needs to become less dependent on government subsidies in the medium term future. This is why dena works closely with companies, associations, and politicians in order to penetrate the markets for energy efficiency and renewable energies with intelligent partnerships.
The Solar Roofs Program:
The Solar Roofs Program was initiated by Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) in 2004 as a means to disseminate information on solar technology and support German solar energy companies in the penetration of foreign markets. Solar heating and photovoltaic systems are installed in German schools and facilities in attractive target countries and accompanied with PR, marketing, and educational activities geared at fostering public awareness. The objective of these flagship projects supported by the German Ministry of Economics is to demonstrate the quality of German products in the renewable energy sector and make it easier for the participating companies to sustainably enter new foreign markets.
SOLON AG
Therese Raatz
Investor Relations
Telefon: 030 / 818 79 - 153
Telefax: 030 / 818 79 - 110
E-Mail: investor@solonag.com
