Telkonet's Powerline Communications System Selected for Hoku Solar's Clean Technology Solar Power System
Telkonet iWire System Installed in Hawaii's Lihue Airport to Enable LAN Connectivity for Rooftop Solar Panels
GERMANTOWN, MD -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/30/09 -- Telkonet, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: TKOI), a Clean Technology company that develops and manufactures proprietary energy management and Smart Grid networking technology, today announced that Hoku Solar, a subsidiary of Hoku Scientific (NASDAQ: HOKU), has installed Telkonet's powerline communications (PLC) system for operation with its Clean Technology solar power system at Lihue Airport in Kauai, Hawaii. The Telkonet iWire System(TM) is enabling IP network connectivity for Hoku Solar's 338 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) power system that provides low-cost solar electricity to the airport.
The Lihue Airport project is one of seven PV systems installed recently by Hoku Solar as part of its power purchase agreement with the Hawaii State Department of Transportation (HDOT). Totaling nearly one megawatt of peak generating capacity, the rooftop projects are located primarily at airports throughout the state, supporting the energy efficiency goal of the Hawaii Clean Energy initiative, a partnership between the state of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy. Hoku Solar's long-term contracts allow HDOT to enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable energy with no upfront cost, and serve to stabilize HDOT operating costs by acting as a hedge against future increases in the cost of electricity.
Ryan McCauley, Hoku Solar's General Manager, stated, "Hoku chose PLC because it was cost-effective, simple and reliable. PLC used the electrical cabling we had already used to connect the inverters, so we were able to avoid the additional cost of routing CAT5 cable and conduit. In addition, PLC helped us avoid wireless interference issues that we would have otherwise faced in the sensitive airport operating environment. The product is performing well and we are evaluating the possibility of installing the Telkonet iWire System at some of our additional locations."
At the Lihue Airport, Hoku Solar installed PV solar panels in three separate rooftop arrays. Each array generates DC power, which is converted into grid-ready AC power by inverters that are attached to the arrays. To monitor and maintain the inverters and arrays, each inverter must be connected to an external central monitoring system. Telkonet's PLC system provides a cost-effective and efficient way to network the three inverter locations. Using PLC, Hoku Solar found a solution that not only reduced the required number of connections and routers, but also enabled a networked system that complied fully with the sensitive security and electromagnetic operating requirements of a modern airport.
About Telkonet
Telkonet, a clean technology company, provides integrated, centrally-managed energy management and Smart Grid networking solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce the demand for new energy generation. The company's energy management systems, aimed at the hospitality, commercial, government, healthcare and education markets, are dynamically lowering HVAC costs in over 170,000 rooms, and are an integral part of various utilities' green energy efficiency and rebate programs.
Primarily targeting Smart Grid and utility applications, Telkonet's patented powerline communications (PLC) platform delivers cost-effective, robust networking, with real-time online monitoring and maintenance capabilities, increasing the reliability and energy efficiency across the entire utility grid. www.telkonet.com.
All company, brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statements included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technological development, market demand and the Company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenue due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects, and internal issues in the sponsoring client. Further information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results, can be found in the Company's Registration Statement and in its Reports on Forms 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Media Contacts: Telkonet Investor Relations 240.912.1811 ir@telkonet.com Garrett Axford Georgina Garrett / Simon Jones 866.940.9987 +44.1903.854900 mail@garrett-axford.co.uk
Released November 30, 2009