August 31, 2011 – Solyndra LLC, the American manufacturer of innovative cylindrical solar systems for commercial rooftops today announced that global economic and solar industry market conditions have forced the Company to suspend its manufacturing operations. Solyndra intends to file a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code while it evaluates options, including a sale of the business and licensing of its advanced CIGS technology and manufacturing expertise. As a result of the suspension of operations approximately 1,100 full-time and temporary employees are being laid off effective immediately.
Despite strong growth in the first half of 2011 and traction in North America with a number of orders for very large commercial rooftops, Solyndra could not achieve full-scale operations rapidly enough to compete in the near term with the resources of larger foreign manufacturers. This competitive challenge was exacerbated by a global oversupply of solar panels and a severe compression of prices that in part resulted from uncertainty in governmental incentive programs in Europe and the decline in credit markets that finance solar systems.
“We are incredibly proud of our employees, and we would like to thank our investors, channel partners, customers and suppliers, for the years of support that allowed us to bring our innovative technology to market. Distributed rooftop solar power makes sense, and our customers clearly recognize the advantages of Solyndra systems,” said Solyndra’s president and CEO, Brian Harrison. “Regulatory and policy uncertainties in recent months created significant near-term excess supply and price erosion. Raising incremental capital in this environment was not possible. This was an unexpected outcome and is most unfortunate.”
Customers who have implemented Solyndra solutions can be assured that their systems will generate economical, clean, solar power for decades.
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We wish him success in his new endeavors.

MUNICH, Germany, June 8, 2011 – Solyndra International AG, a subsidiary of Solyndra LLC, the manufacturer of the fastest, easiest to install cylindrical photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial rooftops, today announced completion of a 3MW rooftop solar system in Zellik, Belgium. The 3MW rooftop installation covers a Delhaize distribution center in Zellik, a Brussels suburb. The project was completed by solar integrator U|S|E AG, a Solyndra Platinum Solution Provider based in Reutlingen, Germany, with its Belgium subsidiary Enerdeal. Delhaize, an international supermarket chain with over 2,800 stores worldwide, and 805 stores in Belgium and Luxemburg, is a winner of the Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The Belgian multi-national has committed to reducing its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020, and rooftop solar is a part of its strategy.

“Having worked with Solyndra on previous installations, the choice of supplier was an easy one,” said Denis Knoops, Senior Vice President Business & Concept Development & New Business Opportunities of Delhaize Belgium. “The innovative panel design allows us to maximize the installed capacity, reducing our CO2 emissions by 600 tons annually on these distribution center roofs alone. We have a strong commitment to achieving environmental goals, and Solyndra ensures those goals become a reality.”

Non-recourse financing included assistance from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) and KBC Bank NV. KBC provided lower-cost, non-recourse project financing with the loan guaranteed by Ex-Im Bank under its Renewable Express program. Ex-Im’s streamlined Renewable Express process for rooftop PV financings resulted in approval for the Delhaize project in just a few weeks. The Zellik installation consists of more than 17,000 Solyndra solar modules covering 34,000 square meters of roof space and generates an annual yield of approximately 2,400 MWh, enough to power more than 700 households.

“We are very happy with the outcome of this project that was completed hand-in-hand with Solyndra,” said Arnold Berens, CEO of U|S|E. “Their simple, non-penetrating, flat-mounting system allows for the maximum level of roof coverage. This helps companies like ours carry out quick and simple installations, reducing costs while maximizing yields per square meter – a solution that keeps both building owners and their insurers happy.”

Timothy Kim, in the Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance group of Ex-Im Bank said, “The Delhaize project represents a significant milestone for Ex-Im Bank and its Renewable Express Program. Ultimately, this deal demonstrates Ex-Im Bank’s commitment to U.S. exporters such as Solyndra, as well as to foreign companies that wish to purchase high quality U.S. goods. Ex-Im Bank thanks Solyndra and KBC Bank for their dedication and support, a strong collaborative effort which drove this deal to the finish line.”

“I want to thank the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. for its constructive role in delivering the guarantees for this transaction,” said Dirk Mampaey, senior general manager, KBC Corporate Banking. “I am confident that our ‘KBC Renewable Energy Team’ will be able to leverage the additional acquired know-how and experience from this particular project in future renewable energy investment projects to the benefit of Solyndra and other U.S. exporters.”

Supermarkets and distribution centers are typically some of today’s largest flat-roofed commercial buildings, making them ideal for the installation of solar panels. Solyndra’s innovative solar module design allows the panels to be oriented in any direction with minimal effect on the levels of generated energy.

Using copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and thin film technology, the modules generate electricity from direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight. USE added a white Sure-Weld thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roof membrane from Carlisle SynTec to simultaneously maximize reflected light capture and further reduce costs through building cooling.

“We are very happy to be able to help Delhaize to realize the economic and environmental potential of their rooftops”, comments Clemens Jargon, Solyndra’s president of EMEA. “This installation bears testimony to our desire and ability to engage with large scale distributed energy projects at a time when more and more corporations are seeing the hidden value in their fixed rooftop assets. Solyndra technology allows them to meet their environmental goals and delivers great results to their bottom line.”

About Solyndra
Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the large commercial rooftop market. Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are lightweight and non-penetrating, and the fastest and easiest to install solar panels for rooftop applications. This allows Solyndra to achieve the lowest system installation costs on a per watt basis for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra manufactures its rooftop solar panels and unique greenhouse solar system in the United States and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

“Customers with metal roofs have been excited about the benefits of using our lightweight, non-ballasted and non-penetrating design on metal roofs, but have been in need of a flexible mounting solution to address the wide variety of roof types in the market,” said Brian Harrison, Solyndra’s president and CEO. “Adapted from our proven 200 Series mounting system, the new metal roof mounts require no tools in the assembly process and are adjustable to meet the majority of low-slope metal roof configurations supplied by the industry’s leading metal roof manufacturers.”

The innovative adjustable mount design has no attachments, and uses no tools, allowing Solyndra 200 Series panels to be installed faster than any other standing seam solution on the market today. The mounts are currently available and to date have been installed and tested on metal roofs by ASC Building Products, Bemo USA , Kalzip, Kingston and Gibraltar.

Solyndra’s 200 Series products are ideally suited for metal roofs. The low, 13,9 kg/m2 distributed load allows for simple installation without ballast or penetrations in winds up to 208 km/h when installed in accordance with Solyndra’s installation guidelines. Attaching conventional racking to metal roofs often damages the metal roof and could compromise the integrity of the roof. While not required, to maximize power from Solyndra’s cylindrical solar modules roof owners can choose white or reflective, “cool roofs” conserving energy and reducing ambient heating caused by rooftops while generating more power. Metal roofs are often employed on temporary or re-locatable buildings and Solyndra’s ease of install and simple relocation makes the panels a good solution where the possibility of relocation exists.

About Solyndra
Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the large commercial rooftop market. Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are lightweight and non-penetrating, and the fastest and easiest to install solar panels for rooftop applications. This allows Solyndra to achieve the lowest system installation costs on a per watt basis for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra manufactures its rooftop solar panels and unique greenhouse solar system in the United States and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks, Sounders FC and First and Goal Inc. (FGI) announced today they will install the largest solar energy array to date in the state of Washington on the roof of Qwest Field Event Center.

The project will consist of 3,750 individual solar panels manufactured in the United States by California based Solyndra. Using the latest thin-film technology, the panels will capture both direct and reflected sunlight across a unique 360 degree cylinder-type surface. The panels take advantage of the facility’s new white “cool roof” which conserves energy by reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the roof surface and lowering the need for building cooling. The system will cover over 2.5 acres, or approximately 80% of the Event Center roof.

The panels are projected to generate over 830,000 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of powering 95 Seattle area homes for a year. The system is expected to be fully operational in late summer 2011.

The Event Center solar array is the latest in a series of “green” investments in professional sports venues made by Seattle Seahawks chairman Paul G. Allen. Earlier this year the Portland Trail Blazers, also owned by Allen, were the first major sports team to earn LEED Gold status for an existing major league sports arena.

The team has hired Seattle-based McKinstry, a full service design-build firm specializing in energy solutions, to install the solar array in addition to developing a comprehensive resource conservation project for Qwest Field and Event Center. McKinstry has identified modifications to reduce energy and water usage throughout the complex, including high-efficiency lighting and mechanical system upgrades as well as installation of ultra-low flow water fixtures.

“We are committed to being good environmental stewards of this world-class facility and we hope these projects will serve as a catalyst to further support clean technology and resource conservation growth within Washington State and the Pacific Northwest,” said Peter McLoughlin, president of the Seahawks, Sounders FC and FGI.

The combined projects will result in a 21% reduction in annual utility costs as well as a reduction in carbon emissions of 1,346 metric tons per year. By comparison, this is the equivalent of removing 260 cars from Seattle roadways or planting 278 football fields with evergreen trees. The significant investment in energy and water reduction measures was made possible through conservation rebates provided by Seattle’s two main utilities, Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities. Through partnerships made with the electrical union, these projects will also provide clean technology job training opportunities for local trades’ people.

The team and McKinstry are developing an ongoing public outreach component which will include educational programming around sustainability and resource conservation.

“McKinstry is excited to partner with the Seahawks, Sounders FC and FGI,” said McKinstry CEO Dean Allen. “We hope to use this great project to further inspire, educate and inform the public about how they can participate in fostering environmental stewardship within our communities.”

Since the opening of Qwest Field and Event Center, the Seahawks, Sounders FC and FGI have encouraged fan involvement in their sustainability goals through recycling and composting programs. Now, fans will be able to track the current and total energy produced via the new solar array as well as track the facilities progress against their energy reduction goals through on-site educational kiosks.

AboutFirst & Goal Inc.
First & Goal Inc. (FGI) was formed by Paul G. Allen in 1997 after voters in Washington State approved the proposal to build a new Football/Soccer Stadium and Exhibition Center. FGI was the private partner in the development along with the public partner, the Public Stadium Authority. FGI now serves as the operator of facility.

About McKinstry
McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy and facility services. Our innovative, integrated delivery methodology provides clients with a single point of accountability that drives waste, cost, time, and redundancy out of the design/build process. We employ over 1,600 professional staff and trades people throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, West, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States with operations in more than 15 states. McKinstry advocates collaborative and sustainable solutions designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency, reduce facility operational costs, and ultimately optimize profitability for “The Life of Your Building.” For more information, visit www.mckinstry.com.

About Solyndra
Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Solyndra designs and manufactures photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the commercial rooftop market. Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin film technology, Solyndra’s light weight, non-penetrating systems are designed to provide simple and easy installations and the lowest cost of electricity for typical low slope commercial rooftops.

Baar, Switzerland, May 4, 2011 – Solyndra International AG, a subsidiary of Solyndra LLC, which manufactures cylindrical photovoltaic (PV) systems for large commercial rooftops, today announced that SunSwitch, a Certified Solyndra Solution Provider, has completed a 205kWp rooftop solar system installation on the rooftop of the Pfizer Global Supply site in the Walloon region of Belgium. Pfizer Animal Health decided to add solar panels to its Louvain-la-Neuve site to contribute to renewable electricity production and lower the site’s carbon emissions. The installation is one of the largest in the Walloon region, and Pfizer Group’s largest photovoltaic (PV) installation to date.

“We are extremely satisfied with the outcome of this project,” said Jérôme Kervyn de Meerendré, CEO, SunSwitch. “The initial challenge we faced was that, due to the roof structure, we had to keep the roof load to a minimum. Solyndra’s lightweight panels enabled us to install the panels easily and quickly. With no roof penetration, there is no risk of leaks into the building from the solar panels.”

With a distributed load of just 13,9kg/m2, Solyndra panels are lightweight and self-ballasting, with no penetration or attachments required. This means they are simple to install on existing flat roofs, and minimize the load.

“More and more large corporations are seeing the benefits of Solyndra solar systems. Partnering with a leading multinational like Pfizer is a tribute to our technology,” said Clemens Jargon, president of Solyndra International AG. “This project, completed hand-in-hand with leading Belgian PV installer SunSwitch in just four weeks, provides an impressive 80% net photovoltaic roof coverage, resulting in a maximized power density and renewable energy production.”

The installation required a total of nearly 15,000m of cable and included 15 Refu inverters. The roof area of Pfizer’s plant is 3000m2, 2400m2 of which is covered by Solyndra panels. The 80% roof coverage increases energy generated by the roof, which will provide an annual yield of 171MWh, enough to power 38 households.

Pfizer estimates that it has reduced the cooling costs of its building by 5% due to the new white roofs. The Solyndra modules will generate enough electricity to reduce Pfizer’s annual CO2 emissions by 60 tons.

“We are delighted with the fast installation of the panels, and can see that they will make a significant contribution towards lowering our carbon emissions,” said Christian Borgniet, Site Manager at Pfizer Animal Health. “Our investment in clean, renewable energy through the Solyndra photovoltaic rooftop installation reinforces Pfizer’s strong commitment to the future for our colleagues, our community, and our environment.”

SunSwitch
www.sunswitch.be

Pfizer Animal Health
www.pfizerah.com

About Solyndra
Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the large commercial rooftop market. Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are lightweight and non-penetrating, and the fastest and easiest to install solar panels for rooftop applications. This allows Solyndra to achieve the lowest system installation costs on a per watt basis for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra manufactures its rooftop solar panels and unique greenhouse solar system in the United States and is headquartered in Fremont, California.

The installation consists of approximately 6,000 Solyndra solar panels, which will produce over 30,000 MWh of electricity. This will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 140,000 tons over the next 25 years – the equivalent of powering 500 households according to the EPA carbon calculator. The installation is planned to be connected to the grid by mid 2011.

“Solyndra’s proven and bankable technology allowed us to complete the planning process in a very short time,” said Ralitza Uzunova, General Manager of Interservice Uzunovi. “We were looking for a solution that was designed to partner with the roof, and Solyndra’s performance on flat rooftops combined with the lightweight, non-penetrating design proved to be the ideal choice.”

“We are pleased to have been selected for this important showcase project in Bulgaria,” said Clemens Jargon, President of Solyndra International AG. “This logistics company rooftop is a perfect application for our product and demonstrates Biomet’s commitment to the environment as well as the strong government support for distributed power in the region.”

Founded in 1991, Biomet is one of the leading and most rapidly developing transport companies in Bulgaria and Europe. The company has 150 freight trucks including standard onboard trucks, mega – trailers, liquid fuel tanks, tanks for LPG deliveries, cooler trucks, and a fleet of passenger buses.

About Interservice Uznovi PLC
Krasimir Uzunov, the experienced entrepreneur founded Interservice Uzunovi PLC solar division at the beginning of 2009 following Bulgaria’s commitment to meet the requirements of the EU Directive 2001/77/EU, which promotes electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the country’s energy market. The company’s first photovoltaic project, with an installed capacity of 5MWp, is situated in Ravna Gora village, in the municipality of Avren. In accordance with the Bulgarian solar map, it is in a zone with an insolation of 4,25kWh/m2/day or 1450-1500 kWh/m2/year. The total area of land is 1 250 000 m2 of which PV modules will cover 800 000 m2. Interservice Uzunovi’s solar plant has been operational since March 2010 and sells electricity to local distributor E.ON.
Press contact: ralica_uzunova@isu.bg, + 359 52 687628

About Solyndra
Solyndra is a leading global provider of solar systems for the commercial and industrial rooftop market. Headquartered in Fremont, California, Solyndra produces cylindrical thin-film modules at its state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturing facility. Solyndra’s panels are placed horizontally on the rooftop and don’t require expensive mounting or ballast. The Solyndra panels can be installed more quickly and at a lower cost than conventional systems. Able to capture direct and reflected sunlight across a 360 degree surface, Solyndra’s panels offer building owners both lower electricity costs and greater system output. Solyndra has approximately 1000 employees.

(March 2, 2011 – Somerset, NJ) – Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) today marked the completion of a rooftop solar installation at the utility’s Central Division Headquarters in Somerset, NJ. The 0.9-megawatt system is one of six large solar systems PSE&G is erecting on company-owned properties as part of its $515 million Solar 4 All™ program.

“The Central Division solar system shows why it makes sense for PSE&G to be an active player in New Jersey solar development,” said Al Matos, PSE&G’s Vice President – Renewables and Energy Solutions. “By building these systems on PSE&G-owned property, leveraging our knowledge of the electric system and putting our project management skills to work we have installed a large amount of solar capacity in a very short time and in a very cost effective way with little impact to customers.”

“Through our Solar 4 All program, we have added over 35 megawatts of solar capacity in the state in a little more than a year,” Matos said. “These projects have helped provide stability to the state’s solar market and have made New Jersey a center for renewable energy in the United States.”

The Solar 4 All program is a cost effective way to develop solar energy. The financial benefits – federal tax investment credits, sale of the energy and capacity to PJM and the solar environmental credits (SRECs) are returned to PSE&G electric ratepayers, which reduces the cost of the program.

The Central Division Headquarters solar system is comprised of all U.S. made panels: 648 traditional crystalline solar panels and 4,180 Solyndra® cylindrical thin film solar panels. These advanced technology panels are capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight into electricity by capturing sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface. The panels generate extra electricity from the building’s new white reflective, “cool roof”, offering a conservation benefit and power generation capability on the same rooftop.

The panels cover more than 101,000 square feet of roof space and are connected directly to the electric grid for the benefit of all PSE&G electric customers. The Central Division Headquarters solar system will produce enough electricity to power about 155 average-size homes.

Solyndra is among the leading solar panel manufacturing companies that PSE&G is using to help deploy solar systems across the state. Solis Partners, a premier developer of solar energy projects located in Manasquan, NJ is responsible for the design, engineering and deployment of both the white cool roof and solar PV systems for the Central Division Headquarters project.

“This turn-key solar rooftop PV system is an important project for PSE&G and for New Jersey residents,” added Jamie Hahn, Managing Director of Solis Partners. “It exemplifies PSE&G’s commitment to transform under utilized rooftops in New Jersey into clean renewable energy sources while reducing green house gases and creating new jobs in the Garden State.”

In addition to Central Division Headquarters’ 0.9 MW rooftop solar system, PSE&G is building a 0.7MW solar system at its Edison Training and Development Center facility in Edison, N.J. where roof, ground, carport and pole-attached systems are installed. The utility also has four large ground-mounted solar farms in service on PSE&G-owned properties. These solar farms are located in Yardville (4.4 megawatts) Linden (3.2 megawatts), Edison (2.0 megawatts) and Trenton (1.3 megawatts). Each are among the largest solar farms developed in New Jersey and three are built on remediated brownfields (Edison, Trenton and Linden). There also are four solar systems built on the grounds of five Newark Public Schools and three additional roof systems on leased sites in Perth Amboy and Bayonne.

State regulators approved PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program in July 2009. The approved program required the utility to make investments to install 80 megawatts of solar power, enhancing the economic growth of NJ, creating green jobs and vastly increasing the amount of renewable energy capacity in the state of New Jersey. The program’s first segment consists of installing up to 40 megawatts of highly distributed pole-attached smart solar units in neighborhoods on utility poles in PSE&G’s electric service territory, which includes the state’s 6 largest cities and roughly 300 rural and suburban communities. This is the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world, with the smart solar units connected directly into PSE&G’s electric distribution system providing solar generated power to all customers.

The second segment of the Solar 4 All program focuses on 40 megawatts of centralized solar facilities, such as the Central Division Headquarters system and other solar sites on PSE&G owned or leased properties connected directly to the grid thus benefiting all customers.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

Solis Partners is a leading developer and integrator of solar power systems for commercial, industrial and utility clients. Solis Partners designs, engineers and constructs leading edge, optimized solar power systems, enabling customers to meet their long-term energy needs while reducing operating costs and addressing their carbon liabilities. Solis is a comprehensive partner, offering the complete solution for both solar and roofing. Solis Partners is headquartered in Manasquan, N.J. For more information, please call (732) 800-0052, or visit www.solispartners.com.

FREMONT Calif., February 28, 2011 – Solyndra, a manufacturer of cylindrical solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for large industrial and commercial rooftops, today announced the closing of a new $75 million secured credit facility underwritten by existing investors. The proceeds from the financing will be used to support Solyndra’s working capital requirements, accelerate the Company’s ongoing cost reduction activities and execute its expanded channel and segment sales and marketing strategy.

“Solyndra has excellent marketplace momentum, with record installations of our product in the fourth quarter and annual revenues exceeding $140 million last year,” said Brian Harrison, Solyndra’s president and CEO. “With strong acceptance of our 200 Series product, we are seeing growth in the U.S. and markets throughout Europe. We have recently reached a number of significant milestones, including the shipment of nearly 100 megawatts of panels, the completion of more than 1,000 installations in 20 countries and the announcement of our PV greenhouse solution.”

The company’s construction of its new, world-class manufacturing and customer demonstration facility is complete. The 300,000 square foot project was completed ahead of schedule, employing approximately 3000 construction workers. Installation of the remaining production tools occurs in 2011 and will bring Solyndra’s annual production run rate to approximately 200 MW per year by year’s end. When fully ramped, the new facility’s annual production capacity will reach 300MW per year. The new facility will also enable Solyndra to manufacture products with an installed system cost-of-goods sold (COGS) of approximately $2 per watt in the first quarter of 2013, which is expected to be highly competitive with all other technologies.

“We are confident that with this round of funding and the continued support of our existing investors we are on track to be cash flow positive at the end of this year,” continued Harrison. “Solyndra’s fast and easy to install panels are a proven and scalable solar solution, ideal for rooftop applications. Today we are demonstrating competitive ’all in’ pricing, strong ROI and economics for rooftop owners, and many enthusiastic new and repeat customers.”

The new financing also included the restructuring of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness. Solyndra’s existing convertible notes have been exchanged for new notes and the U.S. Department of Energy which provided a loan guarantee agreed to certain loan modifications including an extension of the amortization period. Together with the existing indebtedness, the new credit facility is secured by all assets of the Company.

About Solyndra
Solyndra is a leading global provider of solar systems for the commercial and industrial rooftop market. Headquartered in Fremont, California, Solyndra produces cylindrical thin-film modules at its state-of-the-art U.S. manufacturing facility. Solyndra’s panels are placed horizontally on the rooftop and don’t require expensive mounting or ballast. The Solyndra panels can be installed more quickly and at a lower cost than conventional systems. Able to capture direct and reflected sunlight across a 360 degree surface, Solyndra’s panels offer building owners both lower electricity costs and greater system output, especially when paired with “cool” or white roofs. Solyndra manufactures all of its products in the United States through a well developed domestic supply chain and has approximately 1050 employees.

Milan, Italy, February 22, 2011 – Solyndra, Inc., a manufacturer of cylindrical shaped photovoltaic (PV) systems, today announced a new solar application for agricultural greenhouse and shade structures that takes advantage of the ability of light to pass through Solyndra’s proven solar panel design. Installation of Solyndra’s unique solar panels on agricultural structures allows for dual use of land, and reliably supports existing agricultural practices, while generating considerable electricity. The Solyndra solution enhances plant growth by controlling shading and provides growers with an additional income stream and power for their operations. Research by renowned agricultural establishments, such as CeRSAA in Italy and the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, USA, has confirmed the superior nature of the panel design and their ability to support crop growth underneath while generating electricity.

“We are pioneering this new agricultural solar solution in Italy, where extensive shaded agriculture operations combined with strong insolation and a favorable feed-in tariff are driving strong interest and demand,” says Clemens Jargon, President EMEA and Corporate Senior Vice President of Solyndra.

Greenhouse manufacturers can easily integrate Solyndra panels onto the roof of a greenhouse or shade structure. Complete coverage with Solyndra panels maximizes energy output per acre and generates a uniform shading comparable to the light transferred through conventional shade structures or the process known as whitewashing. The cylindrical design of the modules enables them to capture sunlight and generate electricity from direct, diffuse and reflected light (see image 1). Growers with Solyndra-enhanced greenhouses may add an optional shade cloth to protect plants that require more shade during certain months of the year. Using a white cloth also allows some of the light to reflect back onto the tubes thereby increasing the energy output of the system. A venting system at the gables can also be used, since air circulation is important for plant health.

“This product, which supports plant growth and provides both shade and a distributed power source is the best idea I have seen for what could ultimately be the ideal application of solar power – dual purpose agricultural-land use,” says Dr. Giovanni Minuto of CERSAA, a research center in Albenga, Italy, who has been evaluating the Solyndra system over the past year with a variety of plant types and under various weather conditions.

Test sites at prestigious agricultural research establishments like CeRSAA and the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, have demonstrated that plants, such as tomatoes and ornamental flowers grow well in the partial shading provided by Solyndra systems.

While the use of Solyndra panels on agricultural greenhouses is relatively new, Solyndra solar panel technology has been proven in installations on more than 1000 commercial and industrial rooftops around the world. Panels come with mounting solutions and cable management systems, which are then integrated into greenhouse structures by leading manufacturers in Italy. Currently, multiple megawatts of agricultural installations are underway. Solyndra also offers a solution for the rooftops of large, flat agricultural warehouses and distribution centers.

Solyndra is working with leading greenhouse manufacturers, EPCs (engineering, procurement, construction) and banks in Italy. Interested growers and agricultural cooperatives should contact Solyndra to be put in touch with an integrator in their area.