September 11, 2008

Santa Barbara, CA, USA: City of Santa Barbara Powers Up with Solar Energy System

The City of Santa Barbara has selected Tioga Energy and EI Solutions to design, build and fund a 384 kW DC (331 kW AC) solar electric system. Pasadena-based EI Solutions will maximize energy production and economic value for the City of Santa Barbara by utilizing available roof space on the City's corporation yard at Garden and Laguna streets.

Under the terms of the SurePathSM Solar PPA, Tioga Energy's proprietary power purchase agreement, Tioga Energy will operate and manage a suite of solar energy services deployed by EI Solutions. Suntech solar panels were chosen for the project because of their consistent high quality and reliable performance and efficiency. EI Solutions and Tioga Energy met the city's exacting requirements in constructing an agreement that fulfilled the city's financial and operational expectations. The roof-mounted PV system, designed and installed by EI Solutions, will include a total of 1,830 Suntech 210-watt solar panels and will offset a substantial portion of the facility's energy load with renewable solar energy.

The system was designed to meet the high aesthetics standards of Santa Barbara's historic downtown area - which is where the system will be located - while still providing maximum energy output. Once complete, the solar energy system will produce enough power to service the equivalent of 1,040 area homes (based on a single family occupancy energy use of 5,000 kWh per year).

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project will be held on September 10th, 2008.

Under the terms of the SurePath Solar PPA, Tioga Energy will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the solar PV system for the 20-year term of the contract. The City of Santa Barbara will purchase green energy produced by the solar system at rates competitive to those for traditional electric service. The Tioga Energy PPA guarantees a predetermined pricing schedule, thereby acting as an energy hedge protecting the city from future utility rate increases.

"We are very pleased to enter this arrangement with EI Solutions and Tioga Energy, and found in them an extremely competitive team able to address our chief construction and financing concerns and structure a deal that will guarantee long-term economic and environmental value to our city," said Jim Dewey, facilities and energy manager at the City of Santa Barbara.

"We are proud to support the City of Santa Barbara's continued leadership in sustainability with their decision to invest in clean energy. They are providing a strong example to other municipal and public institutions seeking to preserve their environments and protect their futures," said Andrew Beebe, president of EI Solutions. "We are excited to work with Tioga Energy on this project, and the expertise they bring in structuring and financing significant projects like this."

"We're focused on building a long and lasting relationship with the city, and thereby building a sustainable PPA business with benefit for partners and customers," said Paul Detering, chief executive of Tioga Energy. "EI Solutions has been a valuable partner in that regard, helping make the economics of solar work to Santa Barbara's advantage from day one and for years to come."

Further details about: Tioga Energy and EI Solutions