SunEdison Leads Development of Home Solar Charging Systems for Chevrolet Volt Electric Vehicles

BELTSVILLE, Md., Sep. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SunEdison, a leading worldwide solar energy services provider and a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR), today announced that it has joined the Pecan Street Inc. smart grid project.  As part of its role, SunEdison will be leading development of the advanced home solar photovoltaic (PV) charging systems for Chevrolet Volt electric vehicles (EV).

Pecan Street Inc. is creating a consumer-focused smart-grid demonstration project in Austin, Texas, built around home applications, and consumer electronics.  SunEdison joins other participating companies – Best Buy, Check-It, Chevrolet, Freescale, Intel, Landis+Gyr, , Sony and Whirlpool – in deploying products and dedicating researchers to the project who will collaborate with Pecan Street Inc. and University of Texas researchers.

Deployments by member companies include one of the nation's most highly concentrated residential installations of EVs, home services systems, smart appliances and charging of cars from home solar panels.  

"We are delighted to be participating with Chevrolet and other industry and thought leaders in the Pecan Street Inc. project," said SunEdison President Carlos Domenech.  "The use of our advanced SunEdison Energy and Environmental Data System (SEEDS®) platform in this project will help gather what will be the most comprehensive collection of consumer energy data developed in the United States, and will enable us to support zero-carbon footprint automotive solutions."

A number of the SunEdison-led home solar vehicle charging systems will also have in-home batteries, and all systems will integrate into the home services systems provided by other companies in the Pecan Street Inc. project including Best Buy/Check-It, Intel, Sony and Whirlpool. More than 150 participating residents will have rooftop solar PV, including nearly all of the residents who acquire Volts.

"To be relevant, smart grid energy innovations must solve consumers' problems and provide services that excite them," said Pecan Street Inc. executive director Brewster McCracken.  "We are thrilled to have these forward-thinking companies working with our researchers and with the hundreds of residents who are volunteering their homes and their time."

The information about how and when customers use energy supports the development of smart EV+PV systems that provide truly green transportation that does not replace carbon from tailpipes with carbon from smokestacks.  The approach also efficiently supports services that are important to consumers and to controlling smart appliances.

About SunEdison

SunEdison is a global provider of solar-energy services. The company develops, finances, installs and operates distributed power plants using proven photovoltaic technologies, delivering fully managed, predictably priced solar energy services for its commercial, government and utility customers. In 2010 SunEdison deployed more than 160 Megawatts of solar throughout the world. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.ca.

About MEMC

MEMC is a global leader in semiconductor and solar technology. MEMC has been a pioneer in the design and development of silicon wafer technologies for 50 years. With R&D and manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, MEMC enables the next generation of high performance semiconductor devices and solar cells. Through its SunEdison subsidiary, MEMC is also a developer of solar power projects and a worldwide leader in solar energy services. MEMC's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WFR" and is included in the S&P 500 Index. For more information about MEMC, please visit www.memc.com.

SOURCE SunEdison