SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kyocera Solar, Inc. announced today a strategic alliance with ENVISION Solar, LLC, a San Diego-based new business venture formed to develop and commercialize carport structures with integrated photovoltaic arrays (a.k.a. “solar carports”) for U.S. and international customers. ENVISION Solar was formed by principals from Tucker Sadler Architects and the contracting firm Midwest General, Inc., following their highly successful collaboration with Kyocera on the original Solar Grove™ — an award-winning, 235-kilowatt solar carport installed at Kyocera’s North American headquarters in San Diego. Kyocera Solar, Inc. will be ENVISION Solar’s exclusive supplier of photovoltaic products for use in solar carport projects. ENVISION Solar will, in turn, offer the industry’s only complete “turn-key” solution for Solar Grove carports — providing a “Single Point of Contract”™ that includes feasibility studies, design and engineering, contract management, entitlement/permit process guidance, construction, installation, financing options, system monitoring, and site maintenance. “This enterprise is an example of the solar industry stepping into an exciting new phase by providing a visually pleasing, architectural improvement to the community coupled with environmentally sound energy production,” stated Tom Dyer, vice president of marketing and government affairs for Kyocera Solar, Inc. “Synergies between Kyocera and ENVISION Solar will transform the way in which solar electric products are utilized and deployed.” The individual Solar Trees™ that comprise the Solar Grove concept combine the modular building and sustainable design expertise of Robert Noble, AIA, founder and CEO of Envision Solar, with Kyocera’s world-leading achievements in developing and producing photovoltaic modules and systems. The Solar Grove concept transforms a parking lot into a clean electrical generator that eases strain on the utility grid while keeping vehicles cool and shaded. Its modular design accommodates sites of any size or shape, giving virtually any parking lot an economical solar retrofit option that promotes energy independence while preserving the environment. “Kyocera’s vision included architectural excellence — rather than building another carport, they wanted to plant Solar Trees to provide clean energy for generations to come,” said Robert Noble. “Together, we reached for something greater for society — something beautiful, meaningful and of extraordinary practical value.” In its first full year of operation, the original Solar Grove exceeded performance projections by providing 427,602 kilowatt hours of electricity — enough to power 69 typical San Diego homes — and saving approximately $50,000 in energy costs. About Envision Solar, LLC Envision Solar, LLC (http://www.envisionsolar.com) is a California company founded by a team of architects and contractors in July 2006 to develop and commercialize carport and other structures with integrated photovoltaic (“PV”) arrays in the U.S. and internationally by providing “turn-key, design/build” Single Point-of-Contract™ services and proprietary prefabricated products and systems. Markets for the company’s products and services include government agencies, parking lot owners, casinos, real estate developers, Native American tribes, colleges and universities, commercial office properties, car rental agencies, auto dealers, amusement parks, grocery and department stores, large retail shopping centers, large-footprint retail sites, factories, hospitals, sports facilities and other property owners. About Kyocera For more than 30 years, Kyocera has been pushing the forefront of environmental preservation and promoting sustainable growth by providing solar energy to the world. Kyocera Solar, Inc. (http://www.kyocerasolar.com) is a world-leading supplier of environmentally sound, solar electric energy solutions. With operating headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz. and regional sales centers in the U.S., Brazil and Australia, Kyocera Solar, Inc. serves thousands of customers in both developed and developing regions. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kyocera International, Inc. of San Diego, the North American headquarters and holding company for Kyoto, Japan-based Kyocera Corporation. Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) / (http://www.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of solar energy systems, telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, laser printers, copiers and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2006, the company’s net sales totaled 1.18 trillion yen (approximately $10 billion).
