Columbia Sportswear installs Sunmodules
Portland, OR, October 22, 2008 - Columbia Sportswear Company (NASDAQ: COLM), a global leader in the outdoor apparel and footwear industries, and Tanner Creek Energy today announced that the companies have begun installation of a 100 KW grid-tied solar electric system at Columbia's Portland, Oregon headquarters.
When completed, the system will consist of a total of 570 photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on the roof of two of Columbia's buildings. Power generated by the system will be fed back into the power grid through a meter and credited to Columbia's account. Tanner Creek Energy, an Oregon-based developer of commercial and industrial scale solar electric systems, designed the solar system for Columbia and is acting as the project's general contractor.
"Columbia's participation in this project demonstrates the growing viability of sustainable energy solutions and reinforces Oregon's leadership in solar energy," said Kristen Sagan, Columbia's sustainability manager. "Columbia is actively seeking to implement best practices that will reduce the use of non-renewable energy sources at our headquarters in Washington County. We chose to partner with Tanner Creek Energy for this project because of our shared commitment to the local economy and to supporting the adoption of more renewable energy sources."
Alan Hickenbottom, founder of Tanner Creek Energy, stated, "In addition to helping customers like Columbia take advantage of the financial incentives and energy benefits solar provides, we are committed to building an industry in Oregon that supports local manufacturing and trade association jobs."
Tanner Creek sourced product from two Oregon companies in the design and installation of Columbia's roof-mounted PV system. Solar World USA of Hillsboro provided the 570 solar panels and PV Powered of Bend provided the utility inverter which connects the system to the local utility grid.
Columbia expects to recover the initial cost of the system within the next three-and-a-half to four years. In addition to its solar initiative at its headquarters, Columbia's Mountain Hardwear(TM) subsidiary in Richmond, CA has also embarked on a solar energy project this year.
Tim Boyle, Columbia Sportswear's president and chief executive officer, said, "Columbia Sportswear pioneered Omni-Shade apparel to protect outdoor enthusiasts from the harmful effects of the sun's rays. But those same rays can be safely harnessed to benefit the environment by reducing reliance on non-renewable resources. By implementing renewable energy projects such as these, Columbia is proud to join the growing list of pioneers who are demonstrating that solar energy systems are not only environmentally responsible but also make good business sense."
About the SolarWorld group
The SolarWorld group (ISIN: DE0005108401) is a worldwide leader in offering brand-name, high-quality, crystalline solar-power technology. Its strength is its fully integrated solar production. From silicon as the raw material through wafers, cells and modules all the way to turn-key solar systems, including recycling, the group combines all stages of the solar value chain. The central business activity is selling quality modules into the installation and distribution trades and crystalline wafers to the international solar cell industry. Group headquarters are located in Bonn, Germany. Production sites are to be found in Germany, the United States and South Korea. The group’s largest production facilities operate in Freiberg, Germany and Hillsboro in the U.S. state of Oregon. Sustainability is the basis of the group strategy. Under the name Solar2World, the group supports care projects using off-grid solar-power solutions in emerging economies and developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs more than 2,700 people. SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is listed on, among others, the TecDAX, ÖkoDAX, Dow Jones STOXX 600 as well as in the sustainability indices DAXglobal Alternative Energy and NAI.
www.solarworld-usa.com
Media Contact:
Ben Santarris
Public affairs manager
SolarWorld
25300 N.W. Evergreen Road
Hillsboro, OR 97124
Mobile: 503 927 9858
Office: 503 693 5189
ben.santarris(at)solarworld-usa.com