American Solar Inc. Completes Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System to Heat Emergency Generator at U.S. Geological Survey

Annandale, VA—American Solar Inc. (ASI) announced today that it completed construction of the nation's first solar energy system to provide heat for an emergency generator. The completed system, located at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Reston facility, uses the company's patented solar tile system. John Archibald, President American Solar, Inc. made the announcement.

As is typical in the industry, USGS had previously heated its emergency diesel generators (located outside a main building) with expensive electric resistance heat. In contrast, ASI's solar heated tiles use the sun's energy to provide much of the heat required by the generator. ASI's system reduces the cost of heating the generator by about 50%.

The 600,000 emergency diesel generators installed in the United States consume an estimated 6 billion-kilowatt hours and $360 million per year to produce standby electric heating. Building owners use these emergency generators to power the electric needs of their buildings when normal utility service is interrupted. The generators provide power for operation of critical equipment, building systems important to life and safety of the occupants, and high value services such as telecommunications and utility pumping stations. Many facilities install generators in ventilated outdoor enclosures. The enclosures allow cold air to cool the engine. To ensure a quick reliable start, building owners heat their generators year round.

"We believe our technology will provide tremendous benefits to our government and commercial clients," said Archibald. "People do not realize the number of emergency generators that exist outside many large buildings. Most facilities use expensive electric resistance heat to keep these generators warm and ready to start. This common practice is like trying to warm up a building with the windows open. It costs a fortune."

American Solar, Inc. manufactures a new (patent-protected) solar heating system. This system produces heat at lower cost than most gas, oil, electric, and solar power sources. The company's systems cost-effectively gather large amounts of solar heated air from an attractive tile roof. With these innovative technologies, customers can use solar energy in several new ways. Customers with applications that require year round energy loads and that use high-cost heating sources benefit the most. By purchasing ASI's products, commercial, government and institutional facilities receive dependable, continuous and cost-effective energy.

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For further information, visit American Solar's Web site: www.americansolar.com or contact ASI at 703-425-0923 or by email at info@americansolar.com.