LOS GATOS, Calif., Feb. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akeena Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, and Enphase Energy, a leading manufacturer of microinverter products, have announced a strategic partnership to develop and market Andalay solar panel systems with ordinary AC house current output instead of high voltage DC output. Andalay AC panels are expected to cost less to install and provide higher performance than ordinary DC panels. Under the agreement Akeena will purchase a minimum of 5,000 microinverters in each of 2009 and 2010, and Enphase will supply up to 100,000 microinverters to Akeena during this same timeframe. These microinverters will be built into Akeena's award-winning Andalay solar panels.

Akeena estimates that up to 25 percent of the total costs necessary to design and install a solar power system can be eliminated with solar panels that have integrated racking, wiring and grounding -- and that operate with standard AC wiring. Moreover, according to Enphase research, panels outfitted with Enphase microinverters boost solar energy collection by 5 to 25 percent. As a result, systems using Andalay AC solar panels will be less expensive to design and install, and have the potential to provide higher efficiency and better long-term performance for both residential and commercial customers.

"Since George Westinghouse founded the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1889, the world's electric grid has operated on AC power. But the solar industry has always installed DC panels. A big challenge for every solar installer has been to design, install and wire high voltage DC solar panels on rooftops," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar. "Now -- finally -- we can dramatically simplify the design and installation of a rooftop solar system with standardized AC solar panels."

"Enphase Energy's microinverter products provide excellent energy harvest, reliability and remote monitoring capability for solar installations," said Paul Nahi, CEO of Enphase Energy. "Enphase has made significant advances in next generation power electronics and semiconductor technology which will enable each Andalay solar panel to harvest more energy. In addition, through Enphase's communication technology embedded in each microinverter, the owner will be able to manage the installation's performance by remotely monitoring each Andalay panel."

The agreement with Enphase complements the unique side electrical connectors, integral grounding and built-in racking that are part of Akeena's patented Andalay technology. The companies plan to collaborate to encourage the solar industry, residential and commercial customers, and standards agencies to adopt AC solar panel technology.

Why AC Solar Panels Are Better Than DC Panels

Historically, solar panels have had DC voltage outputs -- just like car batteries. Ordinary DC solar panels are typically attached to rooftops with complicated racking systems, and are then carefully wired and grounded together to generate high DC voltages. These high DC voltages are then routed in dedicated conduit down from rooftops to an inverter. The inverter transforms the DC output from multiple solar panels to the standard AC current used in homes and commercial buildings.

Andalay AC solar panels will be much faster to install than ordinary DC solar panels. With standard AC output from the panels it is no longer necessary to use specialized DC wiring and high voltage components. There is no need to design unshaded "strings" of solar panels, worry about the effects of temperature on the system's performance, or be concerned about safety issues related to high voltage DC systems. Moreover, parts count and rooftop labor is reduced with the built-in racking, wiring and grounding in Andalay panels.

"Creating an AC solar panel is a logical extension of our Andalay technology, and offers significant potential benefits to both installers and customers. As Akeena Solar transitions to the installation of Andalay AC solar panels in 2009, we look forward to providing our customers with systems that have superior aesthetics, better performance, safer operation and outstanding long-term reliability," said Cinnamon.

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 integrated solar panel system, Andalay, is the only solar panel system with integrated racking, wiring and grounding. Andalay panels offer unprecedented reliability, performance and aesthetics. For more information, visit Akeena Solar's website: http://www.akeena.com.

The Akeena Solar Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5143

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