Alpex is an international trading company. This will be the company's first solar energy facility and will support its growth into both the standard module, and Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) markets. BIPV systems typically substitute traditional architectural building materials and exterior facades with energy-producing solar panels.

Spire will provide Alpex with a semi-automated crystalline cell module manufacturing line capable of producing up to 15 megawatts (MW) of solar modules per year. Spire will supply the process technology and training to operate the factory, as well as assistance in qualifying the factory and its modules to international standards and certification.

The line is designed to be easily expandable at a later date and will integrate Spire's key assembly, lamination, and testing machines, along with intermediate tooling stations.

"One of the unique differentiators of Spire in the marketplace is our ability to deliver a complete solar factory, along with all of the training needed to succeed in the solar business, to companies with limited exposure to solar module manufacturing," said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation.

"This is a tremendous advantage to firms looking to broaden their business portfolio into the fast growing solar field while limiting their risks and minimizing their costs."

Mr. R. P. S. Sarna, Vice President of Alpex Exports said, "An important reason we selected Spire was their turnkey approach to deliver a factory along with the requisite training and certification. The solar market is expected to more than triple in size by 2010. With our new module facility, we will be able to effectively compete in both the domestic and export markets."

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