North Bay Area Company iPower Delivers First Polysilicon Solar Membrane System in California for Leading Commercial Property Company Savoy.

NOVATO, Calif. -- Designed by Integrated Power Corporation (iPower) of Novato, California, construction has begun on the first large-scale commercial installation of single-ply membrane solar roof on The Savoy Building at Fisherman's Wharf. The 40kW system will cover 3,000 sq. ft. and generate 50,000 kilowatt hours(1) of pure energy annually. This solar power system will save the company as much as $20,000 in annual electrical costs in the first year, and eliminate 1000 tons of CO2 over the next twenty years.

"We were looking to replace our roof, wanted to lower energy costs for our tenants, and were interested in becoming an early adopter of a renewable energy source for future cost savings. So we not only got a new roof, but we also simultaneously got a new solar power system," said Jeffrey Brueckner, vice president of operations for Savoy Commercial Properties, owner of The Savoy Building. "Integrated Power Corporation researched several systems, then analyzed savings and output. Their recommendation was a very efficient building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system."

"BIPV systems are not only very powerful and easy to install," said Eric Pollock, president of iPower, "but if a property owner installs a new roof and doesn't consider using BIPV, he or she could miss the opportunity to take advantage of unique financial benefits."

"In a BIPV system, solar cells are embedded in the materials which are used to construct the building envelope - such as a roof," said Jason Zvanut, vice president of iPower. "These systems weigh very little, do not penetrate the roof membrane, and can utilize the most efficient solar cells available today."

Savoy's installation, utilizing the SolarSave roofing membrane from Open Energy Corp., consists of silicon solar cells built into a single-ply membrane roofing "sheet." In the first step of a two-step process, sheets of 60 mil PVC roofing membrane are rolled onto the roofing surface. The seams are sealed with hot air welding to create a waterproof membrane. Next, solar cell modules measuring 4'x8' are heat-welded to this layer to create a unified roofing system with built-in solar cells (each 4'x8' sheet containing l60 solar cells).

Partnering with Integrated Power Corporation on the Savoy project are Atlas-Pellizzari Electrical Corporation and DRI Commercial.

Integrated Power Corporation designs high performance, renewable pure energy systems for residential, commercial and industrial applications using cutting-edge, building-integrated solar technologies. With extensive background in "clean technology" investments and financial analysis, iPower advises clients on obtaining the highest return on investment while eliminating electric bills and protecting the environment. Integrated Power Corporation partners with its clients to provide turnkey installations or can pass the entire project over to the client. Integrated Power is based in Novato, California. www.ipowercorp.com

Savoy Commercial Properties owns and manages over $50,000,000 in commercial real estate from North Beach to the North Bay, including nine buildings in San Francisco, Larkspur, Petaluma and Napa. With personal service that has won them legions of customers and a friendly business approach, Savoy has been providing a well-managed home for California businesses since 1917. www.savoycorp.com

(1)One-kilowatt hour equals the amount of electricity needed to burn a 100-watt light bulb for ten hours.