One of World's Largest Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Projects to Be Constructed in Windsor, Ontario

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 12, 2011) - Mississauga-based installer Solar & AlternativeTechnology Corporation (S.A.T.) has partnered with solar panel manufacturer Soventix Canada Inc. and the Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd. distillery (Hiram Walker) to build one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic installation in the world. The 7.9 Megawatt project will be the largest rooftop solar project to be built in Ontario under the Feed-in Tariff program.

S.A.T. and Soventix Canada Inc. have entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the Wiser's® Canadian whisky distiller, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard S.A. (Pernod Ricard), to rent the roof surfaces of its Pike Creek warehouse location. The installation, which has the size of 24 football fields, will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes and offset 9,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This agreement demonstrates Hiram Walker's commitment to renewable energy; the distiller is paving the way to become a "green leader" in the beverage alcohol production industry. Revenue generated by Hiram Walker through the lease agreement will be reinvested in higher efficiency boilers, helping the distillery to further reduce its energy consumption by 20%. This in turn, will help reduce Pernod Ricard's carbon footprint.

"Not only should this project be quite beneficial to the Province of Ontario's sustainability efforts but it also allows us to improve our processes while demonstrating our commitment to responsible production," said Jim Stanski, Hiram Walker's Vice-President, Operations.

Hiram Walker's decision process to build such a large-scale rooftop solar project was lengthy and addressed numerous concerns including: building structural load capacities, installation timeline, health and safety risks, and a potential price increment in insurance policy. Additionally, a comprehensive risk assessment was carried out to ensure product safety and avoid any possible form of contamination. The evaluation phase of the decision process lasted nearly one year.

S.A.T.'s CEO Thorsten Hoefer explained, "Through our years of experience in the PV market, we have been very effective in providing the answers necessary to satisfy the concerns of building owners in Ontario," he also added, "we expect to generate around 30 local installation jobs during the one year construction phase of this project."

It was S.A.T. and Soventix Canada's extensive knowledge and experience in the PV industry that led them to be chosen out of over 15 parties taken into consideration for the job. Thanks to their expertise, the partnership was able to address and provide solutions to Hiram Walker's main concerns regarding the installation of such a large project. S.A.T. also has years of experience servicing large-scale PV installations and holds over 750 long-term maintenance contracts.

"For a project this size with a company that exercises solid corporate governance and exemplary quality processes, we are pleased to bring our high quality Project Pro modules together with an experienced installer to ensure excellence and longevity," said Jan Dressel, President and CEO of Soventix Canada Inc. "Hiram Walker has been around for a long time and has always strived for quality and distinction. Our job now is to exceed their expectation."

S.A.T. has made a strong commitment to Ontario through an agreement with Soventix Canada to purchase 41.5 MW of Ontario made panels over the next three years. The installer is also in talks with various real estate firms across the province to deliver turnkey systems, EPC services, as well as rooftop leases. Projects developed under the Feed-in Tariff Program are subject to OPA approval and grid-capacity availability through Hydro One.

About S.A.T.

Solar & AlternativeTechnology Corporation is a turnkey solar service provider based out of Mississauga, Ontario. S.A.T.'s roots and experience stem from over 15 years of industry participation as Sonnen-& AlternativTechnik, an industry leader in the highly competitive solar market in Northern Germany. There S.A.T. has installed over 1000 rooftop projects, with a total generating capacity surpassing 100 Megawatt.

Since branching off to Canada in December 2009, S.A.T. has developed and is in the process of constructing its extensive pipeline of projects under the Feed-in Tariff program in Ontario. S.A.T. adheres to strict quality control processes and strives to deliver only the best products and services to its customers.

About Soventix Canada

Soventix Canada Inc. was set up as a subsidiary of the German solar group Sovello, which includes one of the largest fully integrated solar module manufacturers in the world. In 2010 Sovello expanded to Canada operating out of Toronto, Ontario. Project Pro modules by Sovello which are produced in Ontario, follow the same quality and engineering standards applied at their manufacturing facilities in Germany. In addition to its high quality standards, Soventix Canada fully complies with the content requirements set by Ontario's FIT Program. Customers can be assured that Project Pro modules by Sovello are "Made in Ontario" and deliver the same outstanding performance and quality Sovello is known for in Europe.

About Hiram Walker

Established over 150 years ago, Hiram Walker & Sons Limited's tradition of blending quality ingredients, processes and highly-skilled people continues at the Windsor, Ontario based production facility. Hiram Walker is a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard S.A., a leading global spirits and wine company with premium international brands such as ABSOLUT® vodka, Chivas Regal®, The Glenlivet® and Ballantine's® scotches, Jameson® Irish whiskey, Beefeater® gin, Malibu® rum, Kahlúa® liqueur, Mumm® champagne, and Jacob's Creek® and Wyndham Estate® wines. Hiram Walker produces brands such as, Wiser's® Canadian whiskies, Polar Ice® vodka, and Malibu® and Lamb's® rums, for Canadian distribution by its affiliate, Corby Distilleries Limited.