Coalition appoints former Congresswoman Claudine Schneider as president

    BOULDER, Colo., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The leading U.S. solar
electricity module manufacturers and systems integrators announced today
that they had joined forces to form The Solar Alliance and appointed the
Hon. Claudine Schneider, former five-term U.S. Congresswoman from Rhode
Island, as the group's first president. The Solar Alliance will focus its
efforts on supporting state lawmakers, regulators and utilities in their
efforts to establish more effective solar policies and programs throughout
the United States.
    Inaugural members of The Solar Alliance include: American Solar
Electric, BP Solar (NYSE BP), Conergy (CEYHF.PK), DT Solar, Energy
Innovations, Evergreen Solar (NASDAQ ESLR), First Solar (FSLR), Kyocera
Solar (NYSE KYO), Mitsubishi Electric, MMA Renewable Ventures (NYSE MMA),
PPM Energy, Inc. REC Solar, Sanyo Energy (TYO-SANYY), Schott Solar, Sharp
Solar, SolarWorld (DUS SWV), SPG Solar, Sun Edison, SunPower (SPWR),
Suntech (NYSE STP), United Solar (ENER) and Xantrex (XTX.TL).
    "Solar energy has captured the imagination of a diverse group of
businesses and homeowners around the country as a way to gain control over
electricity prices and contribute positively to the environment at the same
time," said Claudine Schneider, President of The Solar Alliance. "We want
to offer our experience and assistance to the governors, state legislators
and regulators as they devise policies and programs to respond to the
growing demand for solar by their constituents. It is also our intention to
form coalitions with corporations, grass roots organizations, academic
institutions as well as local governments that advocate solar energy so
that we may all speak with one, stronger voice."
    "We are extremely grateful to have been able to attract such an
experienced policymaker as Claudine Schneider to be our president," said
Mark Farber, vice president of strategic planning for Evergreen Solar and
chairman of the board of The Solar Alliance. "In addition to her five terms
in Congress, where she authored legislation that advanced energy efficiency
and renewable energy in the U.S., she has been a strategic advisor to a
variety of renewable energy groups, including National Grid, EPA Climate
Leaders, the Center for Resource Solutions, the American Solar Energy
Society and the Climate Institute. Her experience and contacts will be
invaluable to us as we work to help the states adopt cost-effective solar
policies."
    In addition to its efforts with the states, The Solar Alliance works
closely with the Solar Energy Industries Association and supports that
group's efforts to pursue solar policies on a national level.
    More information on The Solar Alliance can be found at
http://www.solaralliance.org.