VICTORIA, BC, CANADA (December 10, 2009) – Burnaby School District (no. 41) is outfitting two newly-constructed school buildings with rooftop solar power systems from Victoria-based Carmanah Technologies Corporation in an effort to meet sustainability objectives. The decision to install the photovoltaic array will bring the school district closer to realizing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for both buildings. LEED certification is a distinction given to buildings and facilities that meet a set of environmentally sustainable standards in construction for which the installation of alternative energy options and eco-friendly infrastructure is a requirement.
According to Burnaby School District Facility Services Director, Phil Shepherd, the benefits of the Carmanah grid-tied photovoltaic systems are expected to go beyond building certification and a reduced monthly electrical bill. “The arrays will not only act as a utility source, but also as an instructional tool for our students. Along with other components such as a demonstration green roof, storm water management, high-efficiency heating plant, and digital environmental controls, they will be viewed and shared by our students and the communities.” Performance-monitoring will be included in the installation with the intention of integrating study of the solar system’s function and performance with the school’s curriculum.
Once completed, the Brantford Elementary site located in Central Burnaby, B.C., Canada, and the UniverCity Elementary site located at Simon Fraser University, also in B.C., will be equipped with 18kW and 13kW roof-top solar array respectively, with combined electricity production estimated at 33,000 kWh of energy per year. The Simon Fraser location will be the first LEED Gold retrofit-certified school site in British Columbia.
The new solar arrays will be installed during the spring and summer of 2010, and are expected to be fully operational in time for schools to reopen in September of that year.
Carmanah Technologies is a leading provider of solar power systems for grid-tie applications, installing more grid-tie solar power systems than any other integrator or EPC contractor in Canada. Recent grid-tie installations include the Toronto Parking Authority, the David Suzuki Public School, and the Jean Canfield Government Building in Prince Edward Island – named Canada’s 2008 Solar Project of the Year by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA).
About Carmanah Technologies Corporation
As one of the most trusted names in solar technology, Carmanah has earned a reputation for delivering strong and effective products for industrial applications worldwide. Industry proven to perform reliably in some of the world’s harshest environments, Carmanah solar LED lights and solar power systems provide a durable, dependable and cost effective energy alternative. Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMH”. For more information, visit carmanah.com.
About Burnaby School District
Burnaby School District operates forty elementary schools (including seven community schools), eight secondary schools. The District also offers numerous specialized programs including Adult & Continuing Education, International Education, French Immersion, Burnaby Online, Soccer Academy, Hockey Academy and Learning Through the Arts. Served by more than 4,000 staff, Burnaby School District enrolls almost 24,000 students (K-12) and provides programs and services to more than 16,000 adult learners.
Carmanah Technologies Corporation
“Roland Sartorius”
Roland Sartorius
Chief Financial Officer
For further information, please contact:
Investors:
Investor Relations
Tel: +1.250.380.0052
Toll-Free: 1.877.722.8877
investors@carmanah.com
Media:
Public Relations: David Davies
Tel: +1.250.382.4332
ddavies@carmanah.com
Forward Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” “intends,” “believes,” “could,” “might,” “will” or variations of such words and phrases. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Carmanah to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which are described under the caption “Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” and “Key Information – Risk Factors” and elsewhere in Carmanah’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, as filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The risk factors identified in Carmanah’s Annual Report are not intended to represent a complete list of factors that could affect Carmanah. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Carmanah does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.