Leading US Research Firm Differentiates Sustainable Energy in the Emerging Power Optimization Landscape

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 19, 2011) -

• Emerging inverter technologies will lead the way in reaching grid parity for solar PV
• String inverters with combiner/module level power optimization will deliver the lowest cost

Sustainable Energy Technology Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:STG) ("Sustainable Energy") is pleased to announce that Green Tech Media, a leading San Francisco based research firm has identified Sustainable Energy as one of the newcomers in the emerging power optimization landscape in a report recently published on the inverter industry. A presentation of the findings from Green Tech Media may be found at http://www.greentechmedia.com/research/report/the-global-pv-inverter-landscape.

The presentation, which reviews the inverter landscape, concludes that the lowest long term cost of energy will be achieved by systems powered by string inverters which enable combiner or module level power optimization.

"The study validates our value proposition," said Michael Carten CEO of Sustainable Energy. "While there is near unanimity that module level power optimization or "parallel solar" will deliver more energy per installed watt, system availability is critical to bringing down long term cost of energy.

The SUNERGY inverter is the only product in the market which delivers the combination of module level power optimization and the high system availability of string inverters. This is why it is getting a lot of attention from leading US distributors since we introduced it into the US market over the past few weeks.

Over the next eight weeks, we will be taking the product on the road, to system integrators and installers on the west coast and in emerging east coast markets prior to a formal U.S. launch at Solar Power International in October this year."

The main advantage of smaller string inverters, such as Sustainable's SUNERGY inverter, over central inverters is in maintaining system availability – the amount of time that the photovoltaic system is operating at or close to full capacity. Data published by Green Tech shows string inverters as having significantly higher system availability than large scale "central" inverters. Higher system availability will have a greater impact on lowering the cost of energy than the actual cost of the hardware over the lifetime of the project.

Parallel solar or module level power optimization, optimizes the maximum power output of each module by operating it independently of the other modules in the system. With conventional inverters all modules operate at the same power point which can be impacted by shading and other factors. Combiner level power optimization refers to electronics which optimize the power output of each string of modules relative to other strings in the system.

"Combining these two features in a single low cost product is central to achieving the lowest long term cost of energy and reaching grid parity – the point at which solar becomes cheaper than new power generation," Mr. Carten added.

About Sustainable Energy:

Sustainable Energy (www.SustainableEnergy.com) is Canada's solar inverter company. The Company's patented inverter technologies are a breakthrough in power inverter design and capabilities for all forms of distributed generation and smart grid applications. The SUNERGYTM inverter is the industry's only grid-interactive solar inverter which enables a "parallel" solar PV system architecture in higher power ratings at a cost and serviceability factor that is comparable to conventional inverters in the market. The benefits of parallel solar are: (i) 5% - 25% higher total system power output; (ii) a better fill factor enabling better coverage of available space; (iii) a simplified system design and installation; and (iv) the safety of extra low operating voltages which ensures the safety of building maintenance personnel, first responders, and tradesmen who may accidentally come into contact with system wiring. Sustainable Energy's technologies are the subject of multiple patents issued by and pending with the Canadian and US Patent Offices. Follow us on Twitter @SunergySTG.

Forward Looking Information

The reader is advised that some of the information herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning assigned by National Instruments 51-102 and other relevant securities legislation. In particular, we include: statements concerning the impact of our technology on solar PV system performance; statements concerning demand for products; statements concerning Green Tech Media and statements concerning the potential for positive cash flow and earnings. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and involves a number of risks and uncertainties.

Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or future events or developments, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date hereof. Readers are also directed to the Risk Factors section of the Company's current Annual Information Form which may be found on its website or at www.sedar.com The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.