iPower Delivers First Polysilicon Solar Membrane System in California

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North Bay Area Company iPower Delivers First Polysilicon Solar Membrane System in California for Leading Commercial Property Company Savoy

NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2006--Designed by Integrated Power Corporation (iPower) of Novato, California, construction has begun on the first large-scale commercial installation of single-ply membrane solar roof on The Savoy Building at Fisherman's Wharf. The 40kW system will cover 3,000 sq. ft. and generate 50,000 kilowatt hours(1) of pure energy annually. This solar power system will save the company as much as $20,000 in annual electrical costs in the first year, and eliminate 1000 tons of CO2 over the next twenty years.

"We were looking to replace our roof, wanted to lower energy costs for our tenants, and were interested in becoming an early adopter of a renewable energy source for future cost savings. So we not only got a new roof, but we also simultaneously got a new solar power system," said Jeffrey Brueckner, vice president of operations for Savoy Commercial Properties, owner of The Savoy Building. "Integrated Power Corporation researched several systems, then analyzed savings and output. Their recommendation was a very efficient building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system."

"BIPV systems are not only very powerful and easy to install," said Eric Pollock, president of iPower, "but if a property owner installs a new roof and doesn't consider using BIPV, he or she could miss the opportunity to take advantage of unique financial benefits."

"In a BIPV system, solar cells are embedded in the materials which are used to construct the building envelope - such as a roof," said Jason Zvanut, vice president of iPower. "These systems weigh very little, do not penetrate the roof membrane, and can utilize the most efficient solar cells available today."

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