[July 15, 2004] Spire Provides Solar Systems for Chicago's Millennium Park BEDFORD, Mass. --(Business Wire)-- July 15, 2004 -- -- Solar electricity and architecture coalesce as solar modules provide both electricity and structural features. -- Systems manufactured locally at Spire Solar Chicago. Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR) announced today the completion of five new photovoltaic systems Chicago's Millennium Park. The systems are representative of building integrated photovoltaics ("BIPV"), or solar electric systems that have the double purpose of producing electricity and serving as construction materials. These systems were manufactured locally at Spire Solar Chicago. Green technologies like solar are one of the City of Chicago's major initiatives. "Using solar electricity at Millennium Park is consistent with our goal as a city to expand the use of renewable energy," said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "Chicago is committed to leading by example and incorporating technology that will not only save money but is good for the environment and the overall quality of life for our residents." The Millennium Park PV projects are unique, in that they combine function with aesthetics. Thousands of tourists and residents will visit the park each year and be able to view the PV installations, normally hidden on rooftops away from the public eye. The Exelon Pavilions, designed by Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Architects ("HBRA") and located on Upper Randolph Street, house the elevators that lead to the underground Millennium Park Parking Garage and the Millennium Park Information Center. The impressive structures are glass cubes; four sides of which are BIPV curtain walls. Curtain walls are non-load bearing exterior walls that serve as weather surfaces. Instead of using conventional glass panels, the HBRA design utilizes monocrystalline PV panels. HBRA architects and Spire Solar Chicago engineers worked together to design the architectural PV module consisting of dark PV cells encased in laminates that include color-matched backsheets. By concealing the bus bars that connect the solar cells, the designers were able to achieve a black, glazed appearance that contributes to the minimalist design of the Pavilions. HBRA and Spire Solar Chicago worked with Wausau Metals to create a BIPV curtain wall that would comply with both the National Electrical Code and the Chicago Building code. The pavilions will house exhibits that include information on PV, the power generation from the systems, as well as their associated environmental benefits. Another BIPV project integrating Spire Solar Chicago products is the Millennium Park Bicycle Shelter, complete with 300 spaces, lockers, showers, bike repair, bike rental and other amenities to accommodate commuters and recreational bikers. Muller & Muller Architects chose two of Spire Solar Chicago's custom module designs for this Chicago Department of Transportation facility. Clear-backed solar panels, some with cells arranged in a checkerboard fashion, are installed in a custom framing system over a glass atrium roof. The cells create a "floating" appearance and cast a dappled pattern that brings the eye upward. Spire Solar Chicago manufactures custom modules at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. To date, 50 photovoltaic systems by Spire Solar Chicago are online for an installed capacity of nearly 1,000 kilowatts (one megawatt). This is equivalent to supplying power for nearly 150 homes. BIPV, a product application that is gaining attention and growing in popularity, can help decrease the cost of adding solar PV panels to a project by offsetting against the cost of the building material it replaces. Steve Hogan, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Spire Solar, commented, "We are pleased to provide the architectural modules for these cutting edge BIPV projects in buildings that are not only green, but examples of design excellence. These projects demonstrate Spire Solar Chicago's ability to integrate solar photovoltaic systems attractively and seamlessly into building designs. We want people to see these buildings in Millennium Park and think of Spire Solar Chicago as their go-to company for BIPV projects." Photovoltaic systems are also incorporated into two additional Exelon Pavilions on Monroe Street. The park features five separate solar installations totaling over 80 kilowatts of PV capacity, typically supplying enough electricity to power 15-20 Chicago homes. ComEd, an Exelon company, is funding the four Exelon Pavilions, and partially funding the Millennium Park Bicycle Shelter. "ComEd is excited to bring solar power to Millennium Park, " said Janet Beniak, ComEd's Manager of Environmental Rates and Services. "The Exelon Pavilions will raise awareness of renewable energy technologies and demonstrates their practical use." Funding toward the projects was also provided by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Spire Corporation provides products and services to the solar energy, biomedical, and optoelectronics industries worldwide based upon a common technology platform. Certain matters described in this news release may be forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of dependence on market growth, competition and dependence on government agencies and other third parties for funding contract research and services, as well as other factors described in the Company's Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]