Power from the sun lights up pageant of peace; Siemens' solar panels will help supplement power for "National Christmas Tree"

Business Wire, Dec 7, 1994

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1994--When the National Christmas Tree is lit this evening by the nation's first family, it will draw some of its electricity from solar power generated during the day.

Solar panels supplied by Siemens Solar Industries and two other U.S. solar manufacturers are being used in a technology demonstration to help provide electrical power for the Pageant of Peace festival on the Washington Mall.

The solar demonstration is being coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The festival is an annual holiday event in Washington that opens with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree by the President and first family and concludes after the New Year.

The solar array will generate the equivalent of 15 percent of the electrical demands of the Christmas Tree, which is around 40 kilowatts. The daily load demands of the Pageant are in excess of 100 kilowatts, which includes the lighting and sound equipment used during the Pageant's many live performances.

The National Park Service, which coordinates the festival, required that solar modules manufactured in the United States be used and that the array be 100 percent reliable. Siemens Solar donated 28 of its M55 solar modules manufactured in Camarillo, Calif. for the event.

Solarex Inc. donated about 25 solar modules and ASE America donated 10 modules.

According to the DOE, the cost of photovoltaic systems has declined more than 300 percent since 1982, while the world market for the systems is growing at 20 percent per year. Photovoltaic systems are easy to install and are non-polluting.

Siemens Solar Industries (SSI), based in Camarillo, is the world's leading supplier of solar cells and modules. Siemens Solar has customers worldwide and exports more than 70 percent of its products manufactured in Camarillo. It is part of the worldwide Siemens Solar Group with locations in the U.S., Germany, Singapore and Japan.

CONTACT: Siemens Solar Industries

              Susan Shaw, 408/777-4959
              Mark Stimson, 805/388-6289