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Sharp and Borrego Donate Several Solar Power Systems to Firehouses in Southern California Impacted By Autumn 2007 Fires

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 September 2008, 12:00 CDT

Sharp, a world leading provider of solar electric solutions, and Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., a leading designer and installer of commercial, residential and public sector grid-connected solar electric power systems, have teamed up, donating and installing state-of-the-art solar electric systems to firehouses in some of the neighborhoods most severely impacted by the autumn 2007 wildfires in Southern California. These new solar energy systems will help reduce electricity costs, conserve fire department resources, and reduce constraints on California's electrical grid. Firehouses at the Irvine, Poway and San Miguel fire departments have been outfitted with new solar photovoltaic arrays of approximately 4.5 kW each.

"Sharp and Borrego sought to recognize the courage and valor of the emergency workers who serve their communities," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, the U.S. arm of Sharp's solar operations. "We're proud to honor their commitment to these communities by outfitting their firehouses with clean, reliable, renewable solar power."

"As we watched the heroic efforts put forth by firefighters during the Southern California wildfires, we contemplated ways in which we could recognize them, while making a positive impact on the region moving forward," said Aaron Hall, CEO of Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. "As an acknowledgement of their efforts, Borrego is pleased to deliver solar energy systems that will benefit both the fire departments and the entire region for decades to come. We hope these systems contribute, in some small way, to the ongoing rebuilding efforts in the areas affected by the wildfires."

"The fire departments are thrilled by the generosity of Sharp and Borrego," said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather. "They know that by reducing their electric bill, they can use those extra funds for maintaining their building, or putting more boots on the ground."

"These new solar arrays will be generating clean, renewable electricity for decades to come -- achieving tremendous overall utility savings for Southern California fire departments, and helping to reduce pressure on the grid for the entire region," noted Irvine Mayor Beth Krom.

Sharp donated three state-of-the-art solar electric systems to firehouses in Irvine, Poway and San Miguel -- all areas affected by the 2007 fires. The three Sharp OnEnergy(TM) solar power systems include modules, inverters and racks; they blend seamlessly into existing building designs by using a simplified, flexible mounting system -- available only from Sharp -- to make installation faster, easier and more cost-effective. Each of the solar power systems is approximately 4.5 kW in size. Borrego donated system design, installation expertise, and ongoing maintenance of the system.

Design and assembly on the systems were completed in recent months and installations have been coming online and connected to the power grids upon passing inspection of the local municipal utilities. Now that the solar power systems are installed, the three fire departments anticipate saving on their energy costs immediately.

About Borrego Solar

Established in 1980, Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading designers and installers of commercial, residential and public sector grid-connected solar electric power systems. Borrego Solar's photovoltaic systems are efficient, reliable and cost-effective. With more than two decades of experience and over 800 installations, Borrego Solar offers a complete line of design and installation services throughout California and New England. For more information, visit www.borregosolar.com.

About Sharp

Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, based in Huntington Beach, California, is a unit of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a world market leader in solar cell production, and offers both standard and integrated roof modules for home and business applications. Sharp also is the U.S. market leader and maintains solar panel assembly operations at its manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.

Further information on Sharp's commitment to solar energy, its product line and the ways in which Sharp makes it easy to go solar is available online at www.solar.sharpusa.com.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS(R) Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit(TM) digital audio products, SharpVision(R) projection products, Insight(R) Microwave Drawer(R) appliances, Plasmacluster(R) air purifiers and Notevision(R) multimedia projectors. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at www.sharpusa.com.

SOURCE: Borrego Solar

Source: MARKET WIRE

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