Industry News

Carmanah Receives Order for Solar-Powered LED Lights for USAF Use in Iraq

Carmanah Technologies Corporation has received a second order of aviation lights from a USAF base in Kirkuk, Iraq, and will now be supplying 120 Model 702 solar-powered LED lights to be used for obstruction lighting and helipad perimeter lighting. Carmanah's ability to provide permanent and/or temporary airfield lighting that requires no cabling or external power infrastructure has enabled air bases to install high-performance, reliable airfield lighting at a fraction of the cost of hardwired systems, according to the company. Since introducing its aviation lighting products in December 2002, Carmanah now has more than 2,600 solar lights being used at military airfields in the Middle East, Southwest Asia and the U.S. For more information, visit www.solarairportlights.com.

Sharp Opens U.S. Solar Panel Manufacturing Facility

Sharp Corporation has inaugurated its first solar panel manufacturing facility outside Japan. Based at Sharp Manufacturing Company of America in Memphis, Tenn., the factory is assembling 165-watt, 167-watt and 185-watt solar panels for residential and commercial installations. Initial annual production capacity of the plant is 20 megawatts with room to expand production in response to growing demand.

Using mono- and poly-crystalline solar cells produced by Sharp in Japan and glass frames, backing and other materials made in the U.S., the new facility assembles solar panels in various configurations. Panels from the first five months of production are being used in California, New York and New Jersey. Sharp marked the opening of the solar plant by contributing two solar-powered city guide bulletin boards to the city of Memphis and Shelby County, Tenn. For more information, visit www.sharpusa.com/solar.

Oklahoma’s Wind Energy Center Goes Online

Oklahoma’s first major wind power plant, the Oklahoma Wind Energy Center, went online in mid-October. Located near Woodward in northwest Oklahoma, the 102-megawatt Oklahoma Wind Energy Center was developed by FPL Energy. Half its power is provided to the Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) and the other half to the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA). The 1,200-acre facility includes 68 1.5-megawatt turbines. For more information, visit www.oge.com.

Toyota Launches New Prius Sales

Toyota Motor Sales launched the U.S. sales of its new Prius on October 17. This upgraded hybrid-electric vehicle boasts a higher mileage than its predecessor; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the new Prius will achieve 60 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and 51 MPG on highways, for a combined city/highway mileage of 55 MPG. (The previous version had an estimated combined city/highway mileage of 48 MPG.) In addition, the Prius has earned an AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) rating, making it an SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) with zero evaporative emissions.

The base manufacturer's suggested retail price is just under $20,000. Toyota has received nearly 12,000 pre-orders for the new Prius, and plans to manufacture 36,000 for the U.S. market this year. For more information, visit www.toyota.com/prius.

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