LOS GATOS, Calif., July 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Akeena Solar (Nasdaq:AKNS), one of the United States' leading designers and installers of solar power systems, today announced that its Andalay solar panel is a finalist in the International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) competition sponsored by BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA). A committee of 20 world-renowned designers and design thinkers reviewed more than 1,500 entries from 27 countries and honored Akeena for its sleek, high-design Andalay solar panels in the ecodesign category of the competition. This recognition follows two other recent design awards for the Andalay system: the Innovative Home Technology Award from TecHome Builder Magazine and a Cool Product award at the 2008 Pacific Coast Builder's Conference (PCBC).
"We are delighted to be selected as a finalist in one of the world's most prestigious design competitions," said Barry Cinnamon, Akeena Solar CEO. "Andalay's revolutionary design, the first radical enhancement in 30 years, proves homeowners don't have to settle for bulky, ordinary systems that clash with their homes. With skyrocketing energy prices, consumers want systems to save them money, offer environmental savvy and showcase high design. Andalay shows that homeowners can have it all: a reliable, high performing solar power system that is attractive on their roof."
Since 1980, the IDSA has celebrated the most innovative products and product concept designs of the year with the IDEA Awards, a premier international design competition. Many of the 389 finalists of the 2008 IDEA competition exhibit a focus on sustainability, great attention to detail and, in a struggling economy, surprisingly affordable price points. This year, the competition was broken down into 17 categories; in the ecodesign category the judging criteria focused on five areas of industrial design excellence: design innovation, benefit to the user, benefit to the client/business, benefit to society, ecological responsibility, appropriate aesthetics and appeal.
Based on Akeena Solar's years of installation experience, the patented Andalay system streamlines the installation process by incorporating the external racking and electrical wiring elements into the panels themselves. This forward-thinking design decreases the amount of parts used to install the system by 70 percent, significantly minimizing rooftop penetrations. In addition, Andalay averts installation complexities and protects electrical wires from weather exposure -- both deficiencies of ordinary systems that affect the overall performance over its 25 year life. The final result is a sleek-looking, jet-black solar system that delivers reliable, high performance solar energy for decades.
Akeena recently unveiled Andalay FlatRoof. The patent-pending new design places Akeena's Andalay solar system on a 10-degree slope, maximizing sun exposure while maintaining the system's sleek integration and performance. These flat roof systems are tailored to both urban residential and commercial clients.
About Akeena Solar, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Akeena Solar's philosophy is simple: We believe producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. Akeena Solar has grown to become one of the largest national installers of residential and commercial solar power systems in the United States. The company's new solar panel, Andalay, is the only system with integrated racking, wiring and grounding. Andalay panels offer unprecedented reliability, performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit Akeena Solar's website at www.akeena.com.
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