KELOWNA, British Columbia, July 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- EPOD International Inc. (OTCBB:EPOI) (Frankfurt: EDU.F), a developer of advanced energy management technologies that significantly increase the efficiency of electrical power devices, today announces management's decision to increase the Company's focus on the global solar power market.
At a meeting of EPOD's board of directors held in late June, it was agreed that greater focus would be given by management to the global solar power markets due to the continued growth in demand for solar panels, inverters and renewable energy as a whole. Given the Company's technological advantage in the solar power market with the EPOD Inverter, it was considered a logical progression to expand the Company's participation to include the manufacture and sale of photovoltaic ("PV") panels.
The EPOD Inverter, using the Company's patent-pending power controller and advanced power management, increases the functional output of a majority of PV panels. Management intends to acquire and/or construct PV panel manufacturing capacity in the immediate future and has identified two acquisition targets to date. Particular emphasis will be placed on the building-integrated photovoltaic market, the process whereby solar panels are integrated into the exterior skin of commercial buildings, often replacing glass windows with a transparent, power-generating solar panel. By combining BIPV with EPOD's power storage and energy management system, commercial buildings can become energy self-sufficient and, in some cases, generate revenue from the sale of surplus solar energy to the local power grid.
The Company recently strengthened its expertise in the solar energy field through the addition of Dr. Lou Stamenic to the board of directors. Dr. Stamenic, a leader in the field of solar power with specific expertise in building-integrated photovoltaics and turn-key PV system implementation, will be instrumental to EPOD's success in this market. The Company will continue to pursue other sales opportunities in the wind power, distributed generation, energy efficiency, and alternative power generation markets.
"The demand for solar panels and inverters is far outstripping global supply in the market right now," said Mark Roseborough, EPOD President. "All indications are that the demand for renewable energy will continue to increase. We're perfectly positioned to exploit this market opportunity," added Roseborough.
L. Mark Roseborough President EPOD International Inc.
"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements relating to the efficiency and operation of Company products and the potential sale and use of these products. These products may not perform as developed or tested and there may not ultimately be a market for such products. The market for these products are subject to certain other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's 10-KSB for year ended December 31, 2004 filed on or about March 30, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.
About EPOD: EPOD International Inc. is a leader in the development of advanced energy management technologies with real-world market applications. The Company's patent-pending `Energy Pod' technology manages and manipulates electrical energy such that utilization of DC-electric battery power becomes significantly more efficient. EPOD's patent-pending and proprietary technologies are applicable to a wide variety of industries and applications, and are available through licensed OEM's and directly to end-users.
The Company's filings, including current financial reports, can be accessed through the EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.