Solar Cells Info

Foster City, CA – January 8, 2007
Source: SolarCity Announcement
http://www.solarcity.com/spacex.aspx

SolarCity, a provider of comprehensive solar solutions, has completed phase one of a commercial solar power system for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX). The move marks the company’s entry into the Southern California commercial solar market.  SolarCity installed an initial 29 kW roof-mounted solar array at SpaceX’s El Segundo facility in only four-and-a-half days, and expects it will quadruple the system’s size in subsequent stages. The SpaceX solar system uses unique patented hardware, which mounts quickly and requires no roof penetration.

Dennis Jones, facility manager of SpaceX, said that the SolarCity solar system is a practical, forward-thinking measure to help offset the company’s power load. “Solar power is a clean, responsible and cost-efficient way for SpaceX to conduct operations,” said Mr. Jones. “SolarCity’s quality, low-impact installation quickly provided a return on our energy consumption, and reserved us the ability to scale-up afterwards,” he said.

SolarCity is one of only a handful of solar providers worldwide actively installing non-penetrating roof mounts. “SolarCity’s design engineers prepared a full seismic and wind load analysis to ensure that the system met city measures of El Segundo”, said SolarCity’s chief executive, Lyndon Rive.

“California is a leader in residential and commercial solar, and companies of all sizes are increasingly realizing that solar power makes a responsible, economical business decision,” Mr. Rive said. “SolarCity will continue expanding its SoCal operations in the coming months to help service the growing pool of residential and commercial customers throughout the state and beyond.”

About SolarCity
Headquartered in Foster City, CA, SolarCity matches advanced solar power technology with a suite of installation services. The company’s comprehensive offering removes the technical, regulatory, and financing barriers to solar power, helping customers make smart alternative energy choices that save money. Boasting a team with more than 20 years of experience in solar systems design and installation, and a proven track record of bringing new technologies to market, SolarCity is uniquely positioned to make solar power a practical choice for home owners and businesses.

About SpaceX
SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles intended to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of both manned and unmanned space transportation ultimately by a factor of ten. With its Falcon line of launch vehicles, SpaceX is able to offer light, medium and heavy lift capabilities, as well as deliver spacecraft into any inclination and altitude, from low Earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit to planetary missions.