October 19, 2006
Xantrex solar inverters power first "Net Zero Electric"
building in the eastern USA
Landmark renewable energy system powers construction company headquarters
and sells surplus electricity back to the utility grid
Press Release from Xantrex Technology Inc. Published in Renewable
Energy Access
Vancouver, B.C., Xantrex Technology Inc. (TSX:XTX) announced today
that its solar inverters were chosen by GeoGenix LLC, a New Jersey-based
energy systems integrator, for a project that transformed a 41,500
sq ft shop and office facility for Ferreira Construction Company
(Ferreira) into a high-performance "Net Zero Electric"
building. .
Xantrex supplied two 100 kilowatt PV Series commercial inverters,
key system components that convert DC power, produced by solar panels
covering Ferreira's rooftop, to clean, efficient, sustainable AC
power to enable full functionality of the building's electrical
and HVAC systems while providing a positive return on Ferreira's
investment.
Ferreira will save approximately 30,700 therms and 245,000 kWh
per year - a 65 percent reduction due to the energy efficient design
and renewable energy equipment that is installed, making it the
first "Net Zero Electric" new commercial building in the
eastern USA. This reduction in energy purchased by Ferreira comes
at a time when electrical energy rates have risen approximately
10 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
"Even during times of peak energy demand, such as the record-setting
heat wave that swept the Northeast in late July, the energy produced
at the Ferreira building exceeded the company's real-time power
requirements to function at optimum levels," said Gaurav A.
Naik, Director, at GeoGenix LLC. "Additionally, the system
supplied enough power back to the utility grid to offset the peak
electricity demands of 20 average New Jersey homes. With Xantrex
inverters providing 100 percent availability, we were able to exceed
Zero Energy standards."
The U.S. Department of Energy's Zero Energy initiative combines
energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available
renewable energy systems such as solar electricity to result in
net-zero energy consumption. A Zero Energy Building is connected
to the utility grid, but is designed and built to produce as much
energy as it consumes on an annual basis. With its reduced energy
requirements and renewable energy systems, the Ferreira building
provides slightly more electricity to the grid than it uses annually.
"We are proud to be a part of this groundbreaking project,"
said Xantrex CEO John Wallace. "Xantrex is a leader in enabling
companies to work toward energy self-sufficiency. Facilities like
the Ferreira building showcase how sustainable practices can be
put into action and provide a positive net economic benefit to companies
willing to invest in these technologies."
The entire rooftop of the new Ferreira building contains photovoltaic
solar panels, rated at 223,300 DC Watts. The building also features
solar thermal domestic hot water, full radiant heat, high efficiency
rooftop units, a condensing boiler plant, and integrated web-based
building controls. The building's monitoring system can be viewed
by the public on the Web, to promote energy conservation and renewable
energy, by illustrating the real-time operation and energy savings
of these integrated systems.
To view Ferreira's solar monitoring system and energy savings in
real-time, please visit:
http://206.137.21.166/Xantrex/sunclock/
http://206.137.21.166/Xantrex/energyprojection/
For more information on Xantrex PV Series inverters, please visit:
www.xantrex.com/web/id/11/p/1/pt/23/product.asp
About Xantrex
Xantrex Technology
Inc. is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and
marketing of advanced power electronic products and systems for
the renewable, portable, mobile, and programmable power markets.
The company's products convert and control raw electrical power
from any central, distributed, renewable, or backup power source
into high-quality power required by electronic and electrical equipment.
Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company has facilities
in Arlington, Washington; Livermore, California; Elkhart, Indiana;
Barcelona, Spain; and Reading, England. Xantrex is publicly listed
on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "XTX".
Note that this news release contains forward-looking statements
related to Xantrex Technology Inc. Such statements reflect the current
views of Xantrex with respect to future events and are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements.
About GeoGenix
GeoGenix LLC
is a full-service energy systems integrator serving the residential,
commercial and institutional markets since 1980. The company's vision
involves a "Net Zero Energy" goal in all buildings. GeoGenix
employs a "Total Energy Approach(TM)", including advanced
building envelope review techniques, reduction of energy consumption
through energy efficiency, and green building design and construction
practices. Passive solar, high-performance wall systems, radiant
loop systems and high-efficiency heat pumps are used to generate
electricity and provide heat and hot water for buildings. Headquartered
in Rumson, New Jersey, The GeoGenix team has over 80 years of engineering
expertise and offers a turnkey solution by performing all site assessment,
design and installation functions, in addition to providing assistance
in securing financing.
For further information, please contact:
Kimberly Kupiecki
650-762-2825
kkupiecki@ar-edelman.com
Bob Neudecker
604-422-2589
bob.neudecker@xantrex.com
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