Canadian Forces Chooses Carmanah Solar Airfield Lights

April 22, 2013
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 Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright, located in Denwood, Alberta, has selected Carmanah Technologies Corp. (TSX: CMH) to be sole supplier of solar airfield solutions for runway lighting in a transaction valued at over $230,000. Following the lead of CFB Trenton, located in Ontario, CFB Wainwright was experiencing a deteriorating cable issue on its airfield and was faced with the choice to replace the cable or save significant costs in a proven, standalone solar-powered option. Selected for its rugged reliability, high intensity, and ten years of proven performance in military and commercial applications, Carmanah A704 solar-powered airfield lights and accessories will be deployed within a tight timeline in support of planned international training exercises.

   

CFB Wainwright, located in a northern latitude close to Edmonton, Alberta, is home to the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Center(CMTC), the Canadian Armed Forces’ national training center. The base also hosts international forces for annual training exercises, which usually includes American Army Aviation Guard units from various states.

   

CMTC will manage the deployment and employment of the A704 lights at the local airfield and at other locations.  Airfield 21 at that military base is unique in that it sees extensive flight operations during condensed training events but remains unused during the remainder of the year.  Carmanah’s portable solar-powered lights were deemed an excellent solution as they allow the storage of the A704 lights when the runway is used for purposes other than flight operations.  CMTC is also called to provide training at other venues and retain the option of bringing the airfield lighting with them during those deployments.

    

 “Carmanah has proven its capability and performance within the aviation industry. Our list of installations in the defense and commercial airfield markets is substantial and continues to grow,” said Carmanah CEO Bruce Cousins. “With remote monitoring and control, infrared capability, and high intensity technology optimized for Northern latitudes, we believe that our products will continue to be unmatched particularly where a demand for energy independence, quality and reliability exist in the marketplace.”

 

In 2010, Carmanah supplied a tactical airfield to CFB Trenton, a hub of Royal Canadian Air Force air transport operations. During a considerable construction phase of the facility, the base had a unique airfield lighting challenge that required a portable solution that could withstand harsh Canadian winters, mitigate low solar insolation as a result of the Northern latitude, and provide Night Vision requirements for tactical training exercises. CFB Wainwright, experiencing a similar situation, sought the same solution.

 

 

In 2012, Carmanah launched the A704-H; a high-intensity solar LED airfield light that meets standards for medium-intensity runway lighting (“MIRL”) and high intensity runway lighting (“HIRL”) up to 500 candela (in white). It is also capable of Infrared (“IR”) modes for Night Vision Goggle (“NVG”) operation and is ideal for deployment in permanent or temporary airfields and helipads and as backup emergency lighting systems.

 


 

 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 pursues its business strategy within six distinctive product offerings: outdoor lighting, marine signal, aviation signals, traffic signals, grid-tie and mobile.  Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMH”. For more information, visit www.carmanah.com. 

 

About CFB Wainwright

Located at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre (CMTC) is a formation of the Canadian Army’s Land Force Doctrine and Training System. CMTC exists to deliver collective training within a realistic and immersive contemporary operating environment. CMTC employs both technology and imagination to represent the conditions found within modern operations as authentically as possible. Personnel and vehicles participating in the exercises are equipped with laser-based devices, the Weapons Effects Simulation System (WES), that objectively register kills, wounds of varying severity, and near misses. Airfield 21, a 7,400ft long runway within CFB Wainwright, is used extensively during CMTC training exercises where RCAF and coalition aircraft are participating. The airfield becomes a temporary airbase during those exercises.

   

For further information:

Investors:

Investor Relations: Roland Sartorius, CFO

Toll-Free:  1.877.722.8877

investors@carmanah.com

Media:

Public Relations: Natasha Bartlett

Tel:  +1.250.412.8315

nbartlett@carmanah.com

 

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “may,” “plans,” “will,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “budgets,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “projects” and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements about the series of sales to the Utility; completion of the installation of the Go Power! inverters; and Carmanah’s strategy, future operations, prospects and the plans of management.

   

With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, Carmanah has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things, the series of sales to the Utility and completion of the installation of the Go Power! inverters.  While Carmanah considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies.

   

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Carmanah’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: the transactions contemplated in the Agreement may not be completed as currently anticipated, or at all; the series of sales to the Utility; completion of the installation of the Go Power! inverters; and general risks related to the competitive environment, competition with other energy sources, technological changes; ability to manage expansion effectively, foreign exchange, reliance on third party manufacturers, reliance on outside agents and distributors, reliance on key employees, intellectual property risks, environmental and regulatory compliance, government contracts and subsidies, product quality and reliability and warranty liability risk, downturn in economic and market conditions, liquidity and capital requirements, litigation risk, potential reorganization of operations or product offerings, and geopolitical and other global or local events. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Carmanah appears in Carmanah’s most recently filed Annual Information Form, Annual MD&A, and other continuous disclosure filings which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company’s website at Carmanah disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.