SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Andalay Solar
(OTCQB: WEST), a leading manufacturer of integrated solar power
systems, announced a collaboration with Highpower International,
Inc. (Nasdaq: HPJ), a developer, manufacturer, and marketer of
lithium and nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries, to
launch a pilot project that will provide technologically advanced
energy storage systems for Andalay Solar customers and enhance
system performance while keeping the cost reasonably affordable and
viable.
Given the relatively high cost of the power grid, this energy
system is designed to help customers avoid and reduce utility grid
fees by going "off-grid" or employing a hybrid system. Highpower's
energy storage system has six 2.4KWh lithium-ion battery modules
and an output inverter that allows for a powerful energy load
capacity and expandability. For the hybrid system, when combined
with Andalay's integrated solar system, energy will be generated
both by the solar system as well as by the utility grid network.
With both energy inputs, the energy output to the home is expected
to provide enough power to sustain household and electronic
appliances and all power outlets.
Andalay selected Highpower for their strong energy storage
R&D capability and their leadership and commitment to clean
energy manufacturing, which includes waste recycling processes,
environmentally safe disposal, and industry leading design,
manufacturing and testing of storage devices.
"Energy storage has become an important focus of the solar
industry and will be an essential component of system design and
installation," said Steven Chan, CEO
of Andalay Solar. "This pilot project in solar energy storage is an
example of Andalay's determination to stay at the leading edge of
the market to build upon our patented technology, while maintaining
a principle focus on our customers' solar energy needs,
cost-savings, and return on investment."
"We are excited to collaborate with Andalay Solar," commented
Bryan Bai, Vice President of Sales
at Highpower International. "Andalay Solar's extensive technical
know-how, first-hand experiences and understanding about the demand
from end customers in the solar market is ideal for commercializing
our advanced storage solution with enhanced functionalities and
performance, while keeping costs affordable to a wide range of
market needs in North
America."
Andalay Solar products can be found at Amazon.com, Lowes.com,
and www.andalaysolar.com.
About Highpower International, Inc.: (Nasdaq:
HPJ)
Highpower International, Inc., founded in 2001, is a clean
energy company focused on the development, manufacturing and
marketing of nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) and lithium-ion (Li-Ion)
rechargeable batteries and related products for both consumer and
industrial applications. Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Highpower has four
wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Guangdong Province engaged in the development
of Ni-MH batteries, lithium batteries, power supply system
manufacturing and design business. By recycling waste batteries and
reprocessing raw materials for reuse in battery production,
Highpower demonstrates a deep commitment to developing,
manufacturing and promoting clean technology products
worldwide.
About Andalay Solar: (OTCQB:WEST)
Founded in 2001, the Company is a designer and manufacturer of
integrated solar power systems. The Company has been a pioneer in
the concept of integrating the racking, wiring and grounding
directly into a solar panel. The Company's AC solar panel reduces
the number of components for a rooftop solar installation by
approximately 80% and lowers labor costs by approximately 50%. This
AC panel, which won the 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award,
has become the industry's most widely installed AC solar panel. The
Company currently sells its new generation "Instant Connect®"
products in both AC and DC format which provide the best
combination of safety, performance and reliability. For more
information on the Company, visit www.andalaysolar.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements - Safe
Harbor
Statements made in this release that are not historical in
nature, including those related to market acceptance of products,
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the
use of words such as "expects," "projects," "plans," "will," "may,"
"can," "anticipates," believes," "should," "intends," "estimates,"
and other words of similar meaning. The statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted or quantified, and
our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with
being able to launch a pilot project and related products, the
ability to achieve performance and cost objectives and the ability
to reduce or eliminate utility grid costs with the combined Andalay
and Highpower solution. All forward-looking statements included in
this release are made as of the date of this press release, and
Andalay Solar and Highpower assume no obligation to update any such
forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Andalay Solar, Inc.