SolarWorld Brings World Cup to African Villages Without Electricity
Bonn, Germany, June 17, 2010 - As excitement mounts over the ongoing World Cup in Johannesburg, more than 2,000 residents formerly without access to electricity can plug into the soccer competition at 36 solar-operated television viewing points that SolarWorld has installed in remote African villages.
"For many people in Africa, it is the first real opportunity to participate. For us in the industrialized world, clean solar energy from our own roofs will be a natural part of our overall energy supply in the future."
The solar manufacturer's Sun-TV project enables more fans in Swaziland, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa to participate in the mega-event taking place on their own continent. Long term, the stations also can present educational media – for instance, information about HIV.
"Our Sun-TV viewing points show what you can do with solar technology," says Frank H. Asbeck, chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG. "For many people in Africa, it is the first real opportunity to participate. For us in the industrialized world, clean solar energy from our own roofs will be a natural part of our overall energy supply in the future."
The solar-operated facilities are located in village squares or integrated into facilities such as community centers or churches. SolarWorld's high-performance solar panels power the viewing points, which are equipped with DVD players. Each can receive sports, children’s and educational programs via satellite.
For more information about the Sun-TV project, go to www.solarworld.de/4612.html?L=1
About SolarWorld (www.solarworld-usa.com)
SolarWorld (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 of all sizes, 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. 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 developing countries, exemplifying sustainable economic development. Worldwide, SolarWorld employs more than 3,300 people. SolarWorld AG has been quoted on the stock exchange since 1999 and today is listed on, among others, the TecDAX and ÖkoDAX as well as in the sustainability index NAI.
Media Contact:
Devon Cichoski
Media relations manager
SolarWorld Americas
4650 Adohr Lane
Camarillo, CA 93012
Mobile: 805-388-6388
Office: 805-377-2905
devon.cichoski(at)solarworld-usa.com