News

KYOCERA Solar Modules Power 350hp Water Pump

System ensures pump performance in case of blackout

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. (November 7, 2003) – Kyocera Solar, Inc., a long-time provider of solar electric solutions for industry and agriculture, has supplied 760 of its 158-watt solar panels to power a massive, 350-horsepower water pump for Lehr Brothers Inc., a potato and citrus grower in Edison, California. WorldWater Corporation, a solar engineering and water management company, designed and installed the solar pumping system, which operates both on utility-grid electricity and solar power. The system is designed to reduce electricity costs, especially during peak hours, and to ensure that the pump will remain operable in the event of a power outage or reduction on the grid.

The 10,000-square-foot, 120kW solar array is installed in a carport that shades farm equipment. “Solar power offers farmers an alternative energy source that is reliable, affordable and clean,” said Quentin T. Kelly, Chairman and CEO of WorldWater Corporation.  “That is a significant plus for air quality in California’s San Joaquin Valley.”

“Kyocera Solar is very pleased to be part of such a worthwhile project,” stated Jeff Taylor, Kyocera’s Eastern Region Sales Manager. “Our KC-158 photovoltaic panels are an ideal match for WorldWater’s AquaMax™ system.”

Kyocera Solar, Inc. provides complete solar-powered water pumping systems for remote applications such as livestock watering, residential plumbing and light irrigation. In addition, Kyocera’s solar technology provides renewable energy for general-purpose electrical needs worldwide in virtually any remote area where utility service is expensive, unreliable or non-existent.

Kyocera Solar, Inc. (www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., and regional sales centers in Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. services thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions. 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.

Kyocera Corporation, the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of solar energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2003, the company’s net sales totaled 1.069 trillion yen ($9.06 billion) with net income of 41.1 billion yen ($348 million).

WorldWater Corp. is a full service solar energy and water management company with unique high-powered solar technology providing solutions to water supply and energy problems.  The company recently developed and patented AquaMax™ solar pumping systems capable of operating pumps up to 600 hp, making it the first solar company in the world with the power to deliver mainstream pumping capability.  More information is available at www.worldwater.com.