Solar Electric Power System Continues to Generate Electricity
As Contestants Enter Final Days of Competition
NEWARK, Del., July 25 /PRNewswire/ -- AstroPower, Inc. (Nasdaq: APWR)
announced today that its solar electric power products are playing a leading
role on the United Kingdom's popular reality television program, Big Brother.
A 16.5-kilowatt solar electric power system has powered the home featured on
the 2001 season of the program since contestants entered it almost nine weeks
ago, and will continue to generate electricity even as tensions rise inside
the house during the final days of competition.
The solar electric power system, which was designed and installed by Solar
Century Holdings Ltd., features 144 AstroPower solar electric power modules.
Incorporated into a 1,400 square-foot wall on the front of the house, the
system can generate up to 12,500 kilowatt-hours per year -- enough to power
four homes. Electricity not consumed inside the Big Brother home is used to
power floodlights surrounding the house.
Ten Big Brother contestants entered the home, located in Bromley, East
London, on May 25, 2001. Since then, they have been filmed and recorded
24 hours per day as they live together in the solar-powered house. At the end
of each week, viewers of the program vote to evict one contestant from the
home. The contestant remaining on the 64th day is deemed the winner and
recipient of 70,000 pounds.
Contestants monitor the solar electric power system via a meter located
inside the house. The meter indicates how much electricity is produced by the
solar electric power system, as well as the amount of carbon dioxide the
system has prevented from entering the atmosphere. The system has already
prevented the release of more than 2.4 tons of carbon dioxide into the
environment, and, at the end of the season, it will have produced enough
electricity to power a toaster every day for more than 210 years.
In addition to generating electricity, the wall of solar electric power
modules serves as a backdrop for the credits at the end of each broadcast.
The wall is seen not only by contestants as they exit the home after their
eviction, but by millions of European viewers each week.
"The solar facade on the Big Brother home is truly a marriage of beauty,
functionality, and environmental responsibility," said Dr. Jeremy Leggett, CEO
of Solar Century. "Viewers can't help but be intrigued by the spectacular
appearance of the wall of AstroPower modules. However, what is not as obvious
at first glance is that solar electric power technology is a clean, renewable,
and reliable source of electricity. Therein lies the true value of solar
electric power."
"This is truly an innovative application by our partner, Solar Century,"
said Dr. Allen Barnett, President and CEO of AstroPower. "Jeremy Leggett
continues to demonstrate creative approaches to bringing solar electric power
technology to the public's attention." Barnett added: "Europe has long been a
leader in the promotion and adoption of solar energy. The UK has recently
launched a major subsidy program, which, as the government says, will lead to
tens of thousands of solar roofs installed in the UK over the next few years.
We believe that projects like the Big Brother home will further enhance Solar
Century's already considerable brand recognition, and position the company
well to capitalize on future large-scale consumer-focused European solar
programs."
About AstroPower
Headquartered in Newark, Delaware, AstroPower is the world's largest
independent manufacturer of solar electric power products, and one of the
world's fastest growing solar electric power companies. AstroPower develops,
manufactures, markets and sells PV solar cells, modules, panels and systems
for generating solar electric power. Solar electric power systems provide a
clean, renewable source of electricity in both off-grid and on-grid
applications. In December 2000 AstroPower was added to the S&P SmallCap 600.
In February 2001, AstroPower was ranked 39th on Business Week's Top 50 S&P
Small Cap Company list for one- and three-year performance. For more
information, please visit http://www.astropower.com.
About Solar Century
Solar Century Holdings Ltd. was established in 1999 to accelerate the
adoption of solar power as an alternative to fossil fuel-based power
generation. Solar Century specializes in the provision of customized
photovoltaic (PV) solutions to suit a range of applications including
commercial, domestic and industrial usage and is the UK's leading independent
turnkey contractor and technology consultant for solar PV systems. The
company has brought together the strongest technical resource of engineering
expertise of its kind in the UK, and holds extensive experience in the design
and application of solar PV solutions. For more information, visit
http://www.solarcentury.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made
pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, as described in the Company's registration statements and
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a
result, there can be no assurance that the Company's future results will not
be materially different from those projected. The projections contained
herein speak only of the Company's expectations as of the date of this press
release. The Company hereby expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking
to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect
any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions
or circumstances on which such statement is based.
SOURCE AstroPower, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.astropower.com
CONTACT:
Michael Wright, Director, Marketing
Communications of AstroPower, +1-302-366-0400, ext. 195
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