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September 15th, 2005
Universal Communications Enters Into $6.5 Million Solar
Agreement
Universal Communication Systems, Inc. (OTC BB:UCSY.OB - News) has
reported that its subsidiary Millennium Electric T.O.U. Limited has entered into a agreement for the installation of a 1000
kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) system. Millennium Electric President & CEO, Mr. Ami Elazari, reported in a statement,
"I am pleased to announce that we have concluded our negotiations, signed an agreement and have entered into a major Joint
Venture agreement with Restruttura S.L.R., a local, well-established Italian company operating in the field of energy. The
transaction calls for the establishment and erection of a 1000 kW, grid-connected PV system using our Millennium brand, state-of-the-art
photovoltaic technology."
The company also reported that the agreement called for an initial
payment of $242,000. The payment for the total project is expected to total $6.5 million. The project is expected to be completed
in about 18 months.
A “Sell Back Program” is part of the joint venture agreement.
The Italian Electric grid is to receive 0.5 Euro for each kWh produced from the sun. The report indicated that this electricity
will bring in about 750,000 Euros to the joint venture. Mr. Ami Elazari also spoke about the joint venture, "This JV agreement
that we have concluded here in Italy is part of the basic Millennium and UCSY strategy, namely to obtain and establish a major
foothold in select countries worldwide. We believe that we have found a very good industry partner in Italy and a partner
that will be instrumental in helping us build our global markets. The market for Photovoltaic Solar Energy products and services
continues to grow very fast, and we plan to grow our market share, in this ever expanding multi-billion dollar industry."
September 12th, 2005
Xantrex Technology Inc. (TSX:XTX) reported that the Spanish
government has signed off on an expanded renewable energy plan. According to the company, Spain’s new 2005 to 2010 renewable
energy plan signed on August 26, 2005 will increase solar power installations to 400 megawatts, up from the original 144 megawatts
planned. At the end of 2004 the installed solar capacity in Spain was estimated at 37 megawatts.
Mossadiq S. Umedaly, Xantrex's Chairman noted that the
company’s inverters products are well positioned for the growth in Spain’s market, "The new Spanish plan calls
for very significant solar power growth, and Xantrex inverters are well positioned to meet the expected demand. Xantrex is
the leading supplier of inverters for the off-grid market and the industrial Grid-Tie market in Spain. In addition, our new
3 kW Grid-Tie inverter for homeowners and small businesses, which is reliable, efficient and easy-to-install, is well-suited
for Spain's hot ambient temperatures."
One of the major incentives that Spain has initiated
to encourage solar energy is a feed-in- tariff. That long-term tariff permits solar electricity to be sold at a higher rate,
presently 42 Euro cents per kilowatt hour.
Spain also has other renewable plans that include biogas,
biomass, hydro power, wind and thermal solar. Spain plans to have renewable energy account for 12.1 percent of its total power
output by 2010, compared to 6.9 percent at the end of 2004.
According to Xantrex, Spain’s government has allocated
680 million Euros for its renewable energy program.
September 7th, 2005
Solar Propulsion System for Airship Planned
GlobeTel Communications Corp. (AMEX: GTE) has through its subsidiary, Sanswire Networks LLC,
signed a letter of intent with the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg (ZSW) . The letter indicates
that ZSW will provide R&D for the development of a solar electric propulsion system for Sanswire’s Stratellite airship.
The cooperative R&D agreement involves ZSW’s thin-film solar technology, "ZSW, with its long-ranging experience
in thin-film solar cell and energy-storage technology, is very pleased to cooperate with Sanswire in the development of the
energy system for high-altitude airships," said Dr. Dirk Herrmann at ZSW’s Photovoltaic Materials Research Division.
The Stratellite is planned for deployment about 10 to 13 miles above the earth. The Stratellite,
like a satellite, is planned to expand the ability for telecommunications systems to provide wide area and rural coverage
– effectively giving line of site communications for cellular and HDTV transmissions.
The Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wuerttemberg, or ZSD, is based in Germany
with a staff of about 120. The firm focuses its research efforts in solar energy and hydrogen technology and serves as a technology
transfer mechanism with access to academic research.
September 6th, 2005
Bekaert Releases Multipurpose Glass Coating with
Energy Saving Benefits
Bekaert has released Solar GardLX 70, a new spectrally selective
film specifically designed to meet the lighting and solar control needs of today’s functional, safety and energy oriented
architectural market. According to Peter Persoone, Ph.D, Senior Project Manager of Bekaert's Technology Center, "Bekaert's
cutting-edge technology allows this film to block select wavelengths of the sun's unwanted radiation, while still transmitting
a high amount of visible light - keeping out the heat you don't enjoy and maintaining the light you love." The new product
also eliminates most ultraviolet radiation and infrared heat –saving on potential wear on eyes and décor.
The technology rids hot spots that often surround windows. Because of the heat and light filtering effect of this clear
film, furniture and curtains also will not become sun or heat worn – giving longer life. To apply the coating,
the company reports that a network of independent window film professionals has been established.
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