Siemens invests in solar inverter manufacturing in Canada

Siemens Canada will start shipping locally produced PV Inverters in November 2010 from its Burlington facility

BURLINGTON, ON, June 3 /CNW/ - Siemens Canada is continuing its commitment to manufacturing in Canada through an additional significant investment and will be creating 50 new jobs, by entering into the solar market as a local manufacturer of inverters for Photovoltaic (PV) power generation. Through the manufacturing of PV Inverters in Ontario, Siemens will allow its customers investing in commercial and solar farm applications to meet the "minimum required domestic level" requirement by the Ontario government's feed-in-tariff (FiT) program. With delivery dates as early as November 2010, the company will begin ramping up production immediately at its Burlington facility.

Following its significant investment in the manufacturing of an innovative line of motor control centres last year and by entering the photovoltaic (PV) solar inverter business, Siemens has enhanced its position as an innovator in Ontario. Further to the direct financial investment, Siemens will be engaging locally based suppliers, by sourcing and purchasing materials such as cabinets, e-houses (buildings used to house electrical components), transformers and wiring. PV Inverters play a significant role when it comes to solar generated electricity. The technology that Siemens Canada is providing takes DC power as input generated from a PV-Module and converts that power into AC power, which is then an output into the grid connections.

"Siemens' goal is to help our customers setup Solar PV installation which meet the requirements of the Ontario government's recently announced FiT program," said Joris Myny, vice president of Siemens Industry Automation and Drive Technologies. "Siemens is committed to expand its green portfolio and this is just another example of our commitment to Canada."

"The most comprehensive of its kind, Ontario's FiT program helps to promote the development of renewable energy, while offering Ontario manufacturers new supply chain opportunities in a growing sector. We welcome Siemens' investment, which will help Ontario companies meet domestic content requirements, a very important component in developing the solar industry here in the province," said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

Siemens has a long history of manufacturing PV Inverters. Combining this global expertise and two decades of local drives manufacturing experience, gives Siemens in Canada an edge to ramp up production quickly. PV Inverters are integrated in e-houses, which is another area where Siemens Canada has a wealth of experience with over 800 e-houses having already been manufactured and deployed out of the Burlington facility.

The current market conditions require corporations to play a significant role in creating a stronger economy and enhancing the recovery process. "With our significant investment in equipment and material for the existing manufacturing facility and plant setup, Siemens Canada will be creating 50 skilled positions in Ontario," says Anthony Bezina, Siemens plant manager. "Siemens Canada has an established core competency in drive technology and lean manufacturing techniques which provides an increase in productivity and efficiency." In addition to the manufacturing, Siemens will be supplying sales and service solutions relating to the solar inverter market.

The FiT is a program that places emphasis on the design to implement the adoption of renewable energy sources and encourage grid parity, which is a point where renewable electricity is cheaper than or equal to power from non-renewable sources. FiT contracts are guaranteed for 20 years and Ontario is the only province currently offering a FiT.

About Siemens in Canada

Siemens is one of the largest and most diversified companies in the world of electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors. The company has approximately 5,000 employees in Canada, working to develop and manufacture products, design and install complex systems and projects, and tailor a wide range of solutions for individual requirements. For almost 100 years in Canada, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality and reliability. Sales for Siemens in Canada for fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), were $2.5 billion CAD. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of the management of Siemens Canada Limited and its affiliates. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project," are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rate and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens Canada Limited and its affiliates do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

For further information: DL Leslie - Director, Media Relations, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]