Sentinel and Enterprise Article

Spire Solar Installs 118kW Photovoltaic System at North Coast Seafoods in Boston
Press Release from Spire Corporation | August 24, 2006
Bedford, MA

Spire Corporation, (Nasdaq: SPIR) today announced that it has completed the design and installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity-generating system at the office and distribution center for North Coast Seafoods in Boston, Massachusetts. The system, sized at 118 kilowatts (kW) of peak output, is expected to generate more than 144,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year.

The rooftop mounted solar array is designed to reduce energy costs of the facility. The energy production will be monitored in real time using Spire's InSpire Solar Monitoring System, which also provides automatic data uploads to the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's solar energy database.

The PV system design eliminates roofing penetrations and minimizes additional wind loads imposed on the roof. This is accomplished using Spire's proprietary, non-penetrating SteadyMount mounting system. The system, utilizing Shell Solar modules and Solectria inverters, was designed by Spire Solar.

This project was made possible through the support of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Renewable Energy Trust. A grant was awarded to North Coast Seafood through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Large Onsite Renewable Initiative.

Steven J. Hogan, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Spire Solar, said, "The North Coast Seafood Project is an important demonstration of a private corporation actively working to secure their energy supply while taking advantage of a combination of photovoltaic incentives including a 30% Federal Income Tax Credit and a generous renewable large installation grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Spire is especially pleased to have been chosen to design and coordinate the installation of this system, one of the largest commercial systems in Massachusetts."

ABOUT SPIRE CORPORATION

Spire Corporation is a worldwide leader in developing and providing innovative solar energy manufacturing equipment. Spire is the world's only equipment and technology supplier that manufactures all the equipment in-house for an entire module production line. Spire offers full, turnkey solutions for wafer, cell and module manufacturing equipment and supplies custom photovoltaic systems. For more information visit www.spirecorp.com.