San Jose to Welcome Underwriters Laboratories' Solar Testing Facility

WHAT:   On July 14, San Jose, California will welcome the opening of the
        new Underwriters Laboratories Photovoltaic Technology Center of
        Excellence, a 20,000 square-foot facility intended to increase
        testing capacity for the renewable energy industry and get
        UL-Listed photovoltaic (PV) products to market faster.

        Underwriters Laboratories, a world leader in product safety testing
        and certification, will open the state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV)
        testing and certification facility and host the ribbon cutting
        ceremony at 2191 Zanker Road in north San Jose.  When fully
        operational, the facility will be the largest of its kind in North
        America.

WHO:    The following business and government leaders will be part of the
        program to officially open Underwriters Laboratories Photovoltaic
        Technology Center of Excellence:
           --  Evelyn Butler, industry manager, Renewable Energy,
               Underwriters Laboratories
           --  Tom McCalmont, chairman, SolarTech
           --  Brian McGowan, deputy secretary,  Economic Development and
               Commerce, State of California
           --  Dr. William Mulligan, vice president, Technology and
               Research, SunPower Corp.
           --  Chuck Reed, mayor, City of San Jose
           --  Keith Williams, president and CEO, Underwriters Laboratories
           --  Government, business and solar company leaders
           --  More than 150 solar technologists, developers and
               manufacturers


WHEN:   Monday, July 14, 2008
        10-11:00 a.m.   Check-in
        11:00           Program
                       --  Evelyn Butler, industry manager, Renewable
                           Energy, Underwriters Laboratories
                       --  Keith Williams, president & CEO, Underwriters
                           Laboratories
                       --  Chuck Reed, mayor, City of San Jose
                       --  Tom McCalmont, chairman, SolarTech
                       --  Dr. William Mulligan, vice-president, Technology
                           & Research, SunPower Corp
                       --  Special Guest Speaker
        Noon            Press Q&A
        12:15 p.m.      Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
        12:30           Industry Network Luncheon
        1:30            Laboratory Tours

WHERE:  Underwriters Laboratories Photovoltaic Technology Center of
        Excellence
        2191 Zanker Rd
        San Jose, CA 95131

BACKGROUND:

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) decided to develop its testing facility in San Jose, the largest of its kind in North America to date, to partner with the growing community of solar start-ups and existing companies who are bringing new technology, including thin-film PV, concentrated solar power and other cell technologies into mainstream production.

UL's decision to establish their Photovoltaic Technology Center of Excellence in the City of San Jose was based largely upon a foundation consisting of strong support from City government and the many surrounding businesses dedicated to researching and developing progressive renewable energy technologies. Their decision also complements Governor Schwarzenegger's renewable energy direction for the State of California.

The move by UL will also help San Jose to help achieve its Green Vision plan, an aggressive set of goals to enable San Jose to lead the nation in becoming a model of how cities can be environmental responsible and creating economic opportunity at the same time.

In addition to collaborating with the City of San Jose, UL is working with SolarTech, an initiative of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, to help reach as many solar product manufacturers as possible. SolarTech provides the opportunity for introduction of a safety-related discipline during the early stages of product development in the PV supply-chain and an end-to-end solution for PV companies.

The global growth rate for PV products has increased to 30 percent annually, according to Worldwatch. The requirement for PV modules to be listed to UL standards in U.S. and Canadian markets, as well as, to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards has increased demand for product testing and certification services.

Contacts Mark DiCello GlobalFluency (650) 279-7546 mobile (650) 433-4161 land Email Contact Steven Brewster (415) 577-8851 mobile (408) 535-8168 land San Jose Office of Economic Development Email Contact Joe Hirschmugl Global Media Relations Manager Underwriters Laboratories (847) 830-1404 mobile (847) 664-1508 land Email Contact