News

Kyocera Solar Helps Power Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (January 30, 2003) - The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, located north of Yuma along the Colorado River, unveiled a new 10kW solar installation on the roof of its visitors’ center this month. The system, designed and installed by American Solar Electric, Inc., incorporates 64 of Kyocera’s KC-158G solar modules. This rooftop solar array will offset a high percentage of the grid-supplied power used by the visitors’ center and office complex, saving taxpayers’ money. "American Solar did an excellent job with our installation," stated Ken Edwards, Refuge Manager. "We feel that we’re doing the right thing by using the sun for renewable energy production. It’s simply a wonderful addition to our visitors’ center."

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge also plans to help educate the public about the benefits of solar energy. This new solar array will become the focus of an educational tool to teach visitors how photovoltaic modules convert the sun’s rays into clean, renewable energy. The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge visitors’ center receives over 6,000 visitors per year, and over 2,600 children and adults participate in educational tours on the refuge’s 26,768 acres.

"We are very proud to see our solar products powering a wildlife refuge, as this installation is an ideal fit with Kyocera’s corporate commitment to protecting the environment and improving people’s quality of life," said Doug Allday, President of Kyocera Solar, Inc.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions, with headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ and sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation.

American Solar Electric, Inc. is a Phoenix-based design / build firm specializing in solar electric power systems for commercial, industrial and residential applications. The company offers complete design services and is licensed, bonded, and insured for both commercial and residential electrical contracting in the State of Arizona under ROC license class K-11, #168657.