Press Release:

Xantrex Provides Enabling Technology for Nation's Largest Solar Roof
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1,800 Kilowatt solar array solar will save Alameda County Taxpayer's millions of dollars

LIVERMORE, CA: May 16, 2002 - The Alameda County Board of Supervisors recently announced the nation's largest roof-mounted solar installation, located atop Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, California. Xantrex inverters provide the enabling power conversion technology for this record- breaking solar installation incorporating three 225 kVa inverters and one 300 kVa inverter.

Xantrex inverters allow the facility to convert the DC solar energy produced by the nation's largest 6,000 roof-tile solar installation into useable AC power. The 1.18 Megawatt solar array was designed, manufactured and installed by one of Xantrex' key partners, PowerLight Corporation of Berkley, California.

"We are pleased to be part of this record-breaking solar installation," said Mike Behnke, Director of Sales and Engineering for Xantrex' Distributed Power Market. "With an annual generation of 650,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy and a savings of 890,000 additional kilowatt-hours, the system will power more than 1,000 homes and displace over 3 million pounds per year of harmful emissions that cause smog, acid rain and global warming."

The Santa Rita project is expected to reduce the facility's consumption of grid generated electricity by 20% through both energy conservation and solar power generation. As a result, Alameda County taxpayers will save millions of dollars over the lifetime of this project. It is the first of many anticipated solar installations on Alameda County's buildings.

Behnke adds: "This project clearly demonstrates that solar energy is not only cost effective, but also has a positive environmental impact. We applaud Alameda County for taking this initiative and PowerLight for an outstanding execution."

The dedication ceremony for this project - attended by county and state government officials - took place on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2002.

About Xantrex

Xantrex Technology Inc. develops, manufactures and markets leading advanced power electronic and control products for the Distributed, Mobile, and Programmable Power markets. The company's enabling technology converts raw electrical power from any central, distributed, or backup power source into high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment.

Xantrex products are used for various applications: for renewable and distributed power solutions such as solar, wind, microturbines and fuel cells; to supply backup power for homes, small businesses and traffic lights during electric grid disruptions; to provide auxiliary electricity in boats, recreational vehicles, cars and heavy duty trucks; and to develop, test, and power precision equipment such as semi-conductor manufacturing and medical equipment. The company sells its products under Xantrex brand.

A privately owned company with 650 employees and revenues of US$110 million in 2001, Xantrex is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia with additional facilities in Arlington, Washington and Livermore, California.


 

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