SunEdison and SkyPower activate First Light, Canada's first operational solar energy park

STONE MILLS, CANADA: Joint venture partners -- SunEdison Canada and SkyPower Corp. -- announced the activation of Canada's first ground mount photovoltaic solar system.

The 9.1-megawatt (MW) project named First Light, located in Stone Mills, Ontario covers 90 acres of land, about the size of 50 Canadian football fields.
SunEdison and SkyPower expect First Light to generate more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWhs), enough electricity to power almost 1,000 homes in its first year of operation.

Additional information about First Light:
- The system will remove almost 8,000 metric tons of CO(2) from the air in its first year of operation, the equivalent of carbon emissions from almost 1,800 cars.
- Over 20 years, the system will displace nearly 152 thousand metric tons of CO(2), the equivalent of removing almost 33,000 cars from the road.
- To displace the same amount of CO(2) that the system will offset over 20 years, Ontario would have to plant more than 6.7 million trees.

"This is truly a very proud moment for SkyPower and its joint venture partner SunEdison, together the pioneering architects of Canada's first and, so far, only operational solar park," said Kerry Adler, Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower. "This is a significant milestone for the people of Canada and will help generate a brighter future for generations to come. It is also a testament to the great things that can be achieved when private enterprise, the Ontario government and the local community work together through innovative public policy."

According to SunEdison COO Carlos Domenech, "As the largest system deployed under Ontario's RESOP, First Light Solar Park is a first step in our plan to develop more rooftop and ground mount solar systems. Our joint venture in this project with SkyPower is a success and in full operation, delivering the benefits of solar to Ontario.

"The province's recently announced Feed-in-Tariff program will continue to stimulate solar development. With the support of the provincial government, municipal leaders and communities, Ontario is an exciting market for solar, and we look forward to building on the foundation we have established with First Light."

Commenting on the additional steps taken to protect the Shrike habitat, Domenech added, "Our efforts provide a clear example of how companies can work with government and community organizations to protect endangered species while generating clean renewable energy and delivering greater environmental benefits."

During construction of First Light, SunEdison and SkyPower worked closely with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources to successfully preserve habitat for the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike on the property.

According to Elaine Williams, Executive Director of Wildlife Preservation Canada, "Both SunEdison and SkyPower have shown all along their willingness to help the endangered Loggerhead Shrikes. We appreciate all of their help and see this as a great example of how cooperation can lead to good outcomes," she said.

The grand opening ceremony is planned for October 14, 2009 in Stone Mills, Ontario.

groSolar named as SunEdison channel partner

BELTSVILLE & WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, USA: SunEdison has named groSolar as a channel partner. The announcement deepens the long-standing working partnership between two solar industry leaders.

SunEdison is North America’s largest solar energy services provider, and groSolar is North America’s premier distributor, installer and integrator of solar energy solutions for residential and commercial installations.

According to Paul Coughlin, Senior Vice President at groSolar, “SunEdison brings a sophisticated approach to solar project financing, as well as system monitoring and service. Employing the innovative tools they developed, including their Solar Power Services Agreement and their 24-7 monitoring program, means that we can deliver higher returns to our investors because we will maximize the energy we deliver to our customers.”

In speaking of this addition to the channel partner program, Brian Jacolick, General Manager for the Americas at SunEdison noted, “groSolar has the commercial customer relationships that will add to our pipeline of project opportunities. This partnership immediately extends the national footprint SunEdison enjoys, bringing added strength in the Northeast. groSolar understands the importance of the new energy marketplace, and we are delighted to welcome the company as a solar channel partner.”

SunEdison’s solar channel partner program provides national installers and integrators access to project financing capabilities, including the ability to deliver projects via a solar power purchase agreement.

In addition, for photovoltaic solar energy systems developed under the program, SunEdison will provide service, maintenance and monitoring through the company’s advanced control and management technologies.

Hannover Leasing acquires three SunEdison PV systems in Spain

MADRID, SPAIN & BELTSVILLE, USA: SunEdison, North America’s largest solar energy services provider, announced that Hannover Leasing has purchased three SunEdison photovoltaic solar energy systems in Spain’s Lleida province. Under a long-term agreement, SunEdison will monitor, maintain and operate the systems, which have a combined capacity of 4.3 MW. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The three ground mount systems -- 1.6 MW in Alamus; 1.6 MW in Borges Blanques; 1.1 MW in Cervia -– have been operating since September 2008.

“Hannover Leasing recognizes the long-term value of investing with companies which have a proven track record of constructing and operating photovoltaic solar systems. Our goal is to deliver opportunities with financing structures that create immediate tangible value and long-term, stable returns to our partners,” said Carlos Domenech, COO, SunEdison.

Andreas Ahlmann, Managing Director, Hannover Leasing, said: “Despite the economic downturn, Hannover Leasing continues to invest in solar projects. SunEdison is a proven leader in the photovoltaic solar market and has a reputation for developing quality projects that exceed expected generation. These systems offer a unique risk-return profile.”

Due to the company’s advanced monitoring and control technologies, SunEdison’s portfolio of solar assets performed at over 100 percent of expected output in 2008 -- generating stable, low risk cash flows for investors.

SunEdison has more than 200 photovoltaic solar energy systems under management in North America and Europe. The company has offices throughout the United States, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

National Semiconductor, SunEdison initiate trials to optimize solar arrays output

SANTA CLARA, USA: National Semiconductor Corp. and SunEdison LLC, North America's largest solar energy services provider, have initiated field trials to optimize the energy output of solar arrays.

SunEdison has initiated field trials in California using National Semiconductor's SolarMagic power optimizers. National's SolarMagic power optimizers enable individual solar panels to maximize energy-produced independent of performance of other panels in an array. Individual panels can often under-perform due to shade, debris, panel mismatch or aging.

SunEdison delivers solar energy services to utilities, commercial and government entities by providing a new way to engage in solar energy. The company's customers pay only for the energy produced by its solar power plants. In March of 2008, the company surpassed 100GWh of delivered energy, marking a new milestone for solar energy services in the North American marketplace.

"We're delighted to be working with SunEdison" said Brian Halla, National Semiconductor's chairman and CEO, "SunEdison services architecture delivers industry leading reliability, with more delivered energy, resulting in greater customer savings. We believe our SolarMagic power optimizer will further strengthen the SunEdison service architecture."

Added Brian Jacolick, GM of the America's of SunEdison: "SolarMagic promises to offer a significant breakthrough on delivered energy for solar arrays. The net effect will be greater savings for our customers. National Semiconductor's leadership in analog and power management will serve SunEdison well as we build on this strength to make continued improvements for the solar industry."