PowerLight Celebrates Its Ten-Year Anniversary and Begins Around-the-Clock Manufacturing of PowerGuard(R) Solar Panels

source: press release 2001.12.12

BERKELEY, Calif., -- In response to steadily
increasing demand, PowerLight Corporation has begun round-the-clock
manufacturing of PowerGuard(R) solar electric roof tiles, according to
PowerLight's founder and CEO, Tom Dinwoodie. The announcement was
made today at the company's ten-year anniversary celebration.

"Demand for solar power is growing at a phenomenal rate -- we are
completing our fifth year of annually doubling growth," said Dinwoodie.
"Customers want clean and reliable power for their facilities. We have
responded to the demand, and in doing so, created high technology jobs.
For every new job in our factory, many more are created in the field where
the systems are installed." PowerLight estimates it has created several
hundred new jobs in manufacturing and related construction industries.

Beyond increasing staff, PowerLight has made substantial investments in
plant equipment and technology. A portion of these manufacturing
improvements received co-funding from the California Energy Commission
and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with support from the U.S.
Department of Energy. By the end of the first quarter 2002, PowerLight's
factory will have completed equipment upgrades to increase its
manufacturing capacity to 20 megawatts per year. During its 25-year
operating life, 20 MW of solar electric power saves the energy equivalent of
over two million barrels of oil.

PowerLight offers a range of solar electric products for large commercial
and governmental customers, including its flagship product, PowerGuard.
PowerGuard is a patented, lightweight photovoltaic roofing assembly that
delivers clean solar electricity to the building while insulating and protecting
the roof from damaging effects of weather and UV radiation. PowerLight's
PowerGuard solar electric roof tile system has been selected by many
private- and public-sector organizations as the best solar electric
technology application for flat and low-slope roof space.

Recent PowerLight customers include the National Park Service in
Yosemite, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Alameda
County, and Cypress Semiconductor, a large multi-national Silicon Valley
integrated circuits manufacturer. Cypress president and CEO T. J. Rodgers,
when commenting about his firm's 335 kW PowerGuard system, said, "This
project was entirely justifiable on economic merits alone. On-site solar PV
addresses our nation's energy security by reducing our dependence on
foreign energy sources and insulates us from future price volatility."

About PowerLight

PowerLight (www.powerlight.com) is the leading manufacturer and solutions
provider of commercial solar electric products and systems. Founded in
1991, PowerLight's products deliver reliable, affordable clean power for
commercial and government customers throughout the US and worldwide.
Inc Magazine has ranked the PowerLight Corporation among the top 500
fastest-growing privately held companies in 2000 and 2001.

CONTACT: Susan DeVico of PowerLight, +1-415-434-8220, or sdevico@powerlight.com