Santana Goes Solar! - Their Bay Area Offices Are Now Powered By a Custom-Designed System From Berkeley-Based Sun Light & Power

    SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlos and Deborah Santana have
 announced that they've outfitted their Bay Area business headquarters with a
 solar-powered energy system meeting all the electrical needs of the
 5,200 square-foot building.  The San Rafael-based facility houses Santana
 Management and Carlos and Deborah's non-profit Milagro Foundation, established
 in 1998 to serve at-risk, under-represented and disadvantaged youth through
 educational initiatives and health-related programs.  The undertaking
 represents their deep commitment to renewable energy and sustainable living
 practices.
     They commented, "We believe that the future of our planet is dependent
 upon a worldwide acceptance of renewable energy solutions.  In personally
 doing everything we can to promote 'green' living, hopefully we'll inspire
 others to also become pro-active about environmental responsibility, and help
 create a better, healthier and more peaceful world for everyone."
     The low-maintenance 28.8 kW solar photovoltaic energy system powering
 Santana's operations was designed and installed by Sun Light & Power, the
 Berkeley-based entity at the vanguard of turnkey installations of alternative
 energy solutions for residential, commercial, and municipal markets.  The U.S.
 Climate Technology Cooperation Gateway estimates its use as having the
 approximate impact of removing 603 tons of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere
 ... or offsetting the energy equivalent of 62,304 gallons of gasoline or
 1,272 barrels of oil ... or removing the pollution produced by 118 passengers
 cars from the road for one year, among other remarkable statistics.
      Sun Light & Power's 28 years of operational experience in solar
 installation is unmatched in Northern California, and they were the first
 solar outfit admitted to the Bay Area Green Business Program, recognizing
 environmentally friendly companies.  Sales Manager Eric Nyman commented, "As
 with Santana Management, an individual or business can insulate themselves
 from unstable energy markets, diminish their contribution to global warming,
 and limit dependence on fossil fuel resources from politically volatile
 regions of the world -- not to mention the financial benefits are
 significant."
     Sun Light & Power's design for Santana's offices will produce, on average,
 the same amount of electricity consumed historically by the facility.  Now, by
 generating their own, they will help mitigate peak demand loads on the utility
 grid-to which they're tied -- and, for the system's 30-year lifespan, save an
 estimated $6,760 annually in energy costs.  The project also qualified for the
 California Energy Commission Renewable Rebate Program, which effectively paid
 for 41% of the capital cost of the system, which has been up and running since
 this past summer.
     Sun Light & Power's Marketing Manager James Critchfield added, "We were
 pleased to have been able to support Santana Management in their efforts to
 make a difference.  The adoption of solar energy is a fantastic way to
 demonstrate a commitment to the environment and the community."
 
     Last month, Carlos Santana was honored as the 2004 Latin Recording
 Academy(R) Person of the Year.  Currently, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and
 10X GRAMMY-winner is working on his third album for Arista Records, and the
 38th of his career.  The disc follows up 2002's acclaimed #1 album Shaman, and
 the 1999 phenomenon Supernatural, which won a record-breaking nine GRAMMYs,
 including Album of the Year.  Deborah Santana, who oversees all of Santana's
 business operations and is Vice President of the Milagro Foundation, will have
 her first book, Space Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart,
 published in Spring 2005.
     Santana Management has also joined forces this year with the non-profit
 organization Head Count (www.headcount.org), which encourages fans of live
 music "to get active, use their voice, and more importantly their vote to make
 a difference in the upcoming election."  Carlos and Deborah hope that all
 their fans will vote on November 2.
 
                  For more information, visit www.santana.com.
 
            For more information on solar energy systems, log on to
                           www.sunlightandpower.com.
 
 

SOURCE  Santana