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KYOCERA Solar, AMSOLAR Corporation Announce Strategic Partnership
Companies to Make Concerted Effort Toward Servicing Universities, Community Colleges, Public School Districts
SAN DIEGO – February 18, 2010 – Kyocera Solar, Inc. and AMSOLAR Corporation announced today a strategic partnership focused in serving universities, community colleges and public school districts in North America.
The agreement will focus on providing complete, turn-key solar energy solutions for educational institutions that includes strategic financing, system engineering and design, installation, operation and maintenance.
Kyocera and AMSOLAR are already working on constructing a 1.23 Megawatt system at the University of San Diego, making the eighth-largest solar power facility on a U.S. college campus. The school is paying nothing to have the 1.23 Megawatt system implemented on nine buildings, but instead has entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement that will reduce their energy costs from Day One as well as an immediate return on their investment. Both organizations believe the synergy in their service approaches and long-term commitments to their customers will make the new partnership a viable one for other educational institutions.
“We feel AMSOLAR has the right model to truly advance solar within the education industry,” said Steve Hill, President, Kyocera Solar, Inc. “As a pioneer in the solar industry, Kyocera welcomes AMSOLAR’s Power Purchase Agreement structure enabling schools to install solar while not having to absorb the up-front costs in implementing such systems.”
Kyocera is one of the world's largest vertically-integrated producers and suppliers of solar energy products. Its North American subsidiary, Kyocera Solar, is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., with regional sales affiliates in the Americas and Australia, and serves thousands of customers in both the developed and developing worlds.
AMSOLAR Corporation manages all of the engineering, installation, operation and maintenance of the solar energy facilities it implements, while its partners enjoy the benefits of reliable and affordable solar power.
“This opportunity came about in part because of our collective work in kicking off one of the 10 largest American college solar power system projects on the University of San Diego campus at the end of 2009,” said Jam Attari, Managing Partner of AMSOLAR Corporation. “In subsequent conversations, we discovered that our strategies were remarkably similar – seek long term, mutually beneficial partnerships for organizations that help reduce energy costs, lower environmental impact, and expand the benefits of solar well beyond the system itself. Our combined efforts will make this happen, and we’re looking forward to doing great things together in this regard!”
About Kyocera
Kyocera Solar, Inc. (http://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 the U.S., Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves 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 (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “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 electric generating systems, telecommunications equipment, copiers, printers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the company’s net sales totaled 1.13 trillion yen (approximately US$11.5 billion). Kyocera marks its 50th anniversary in 2009, and the 40th anniversary of its U.S. operations. It is ranked #418 on Forbes magazine’s 2009 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.
About AMSOLAR Corporation
AMSOLAR powers schools with the sun. The Company is the premier solar solutions partner for educational institutions and select commercial enterprises. AMSOLAR develops solar energy facilities for its partners on their property; partners simply purchase clean, renewable solar-generated electricity.
AMSOLAR makes significant investments in its partners’ physical plants and communities in an effort to promote cost-effective renewable energy solutions. The Company manages all of the engineering, installation, operation and maintenance of the solar energy facility, while its partners enjoy the benefits of reliable and affordable solar power. AMSOLAR’s partnerships go beyond power consumption: through “AMSOLAR GIVING,” the Company’s corporate giving and community service program, AMSOLAR provides renewable energy grants to teachers, internships for students and offers a range of educational programs that promote renewable energy awareness, education and exploration. For more information visit www.amsolarcorp.com.
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