London Transit Users “See the Light” with Carmanah’s Solar-Powered Illuminated Transit Stop

September 24, 2002
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Vancouver, BC, Canada – (September 24, 2002) – Carmanah Technologies Corporation (TSX VE: CMH; Berlin and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: QCX),
is pleased to announce today that it has been selected for a field trial of 24 solar-powered, LED (light emitting diode) illuminated transit stops in London, England by London Bus Services.

This field trial is a result of a successful 9-month prototype test performed over the winter of 2001. Based on the prototype performance, as well as the company’s power management system and rugged construction, Carmanah is now one of only two companies participating in this larger scale program.

While enjoying high demand for its i-STOPTM solar-powered, illuminated transit stop in North America, this U.K. field trial order is considered a major step forward for Carmanah’s international presence with this technology. Worth an estimated Cdn$15M to $18M, the London Bus Services project would require a system-wide rollout of approximately 12,000 illuminated transit stops over the course of three years. A final supplier decision is scheduled for April, 2003.

To ensure the field trial is successful and to establish a European presence for the company, Carmanah is relocating senior level engineering staff to the UK effective October 15th, 2002.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, UK, has made public transit one of the city’s top priorities. Investment in public transport was increased by £350 million for 2002/2003 and better information for bus passengers is one of the key improvements outlined in London’s transport strategy.

About Carmanah’s Solar-Powered, LED-Illuminated Transit Stop

Using the company’s proven solar power/LED integration technologies, Carmanah illuminated transit stop is vandal-resistant and virtually maintenance-free. It is designed to operate autonomously for up to 5 years, at which point only the battery pack is replaced (and the old pack is recycled). The proprietary edge-lit LED illumination is shock-proof, lasts for up to 100,000 hours of operation and draws only one-tenth of the power of incandescent lighting. The entire system can be installed in minutes with no digging, wiring or external electrical connections; hence there are no traffic delays or disruption to the local power source or street aesthetics.

“Our transit stop illumination technology is very appealing to transit authorities on a number of fronts”, states Art Aylesworth, Carmanah’s CEO. “It provides them with a way of providing enhanced customer service and safety using a high-tech solution that is relatively low-cost, simple to implement, and uses a ‘green’ alternative energy source.”

The i-STOPTM is protected by US patents 6,013,985 and Canadian patent 2,241,044. Further patents are pending.