Milestone Deployment Optimizes Performance, Cuts Costs for Off-Grid Energy Generation at Vodafone Cell Tower

SAN JOSE, California — Fat Spaniel Technologies (FST) today announced the 500th installation of its industry-leading distributed energy monitoring solutions. Located on Kadavu, an island approximately 100 kilometers south of the main island of Fiji, the milestone deployment of FST's PV2Web product line monitors an off-grid hybrid wind and solar generation system owned by Vodafone Fiji and maintained by Clay Engineering. The FST solution delivers a real time, web-based data dashboard that helps Clay Engineering ensure superior renewable energy system performance while reducing maintenance costs for the remote site.

“As the international renewable energy generation market continues to expand, we're seeing an increased focus on reliability, accountability and performance, all areas Fat Spaniel Technologies addresses through effective data delivery and critical IT solutions,” said Chris Beekhuis, President and CTO of Fat Spaniel Technologies. “Our work with Clay Engineering demonstrates that a high standard of service and system-critical electricity supply can be cost-effectively delivered to even the most remote end-users. This 500th installation marks a significant milestone as we look to continued industry leadership in 2007 and beyond.”

The Fiji Islands are an archipelago of more than 330 islands in the South Pacific. With utility power limited to the larger islands, diesel generators were traditionally the major power source for rural areas. In expanding mobile coverage to the outer islands, Vodafone Fiji sought to uphold its commitment to environmental sustainability through reliable, renewable power sources in the off-grid regions.

Designed, installed and maintained by Clay Engineering, the hybrid wind and solar system provides constant power to a Vodafone Fiji cellular phone repeater station atop a 1500-foot mountain outside the village of Muani. The Vodafone Fiji base station delivers mobile phone coverage for a radius of approximately 40 kilometers providing more than 10 villages with phone services that were previously only available via satellite. From Clay Engineering's headquarters in the Capital City, Suva, in-person access to the system requires travel by airplane, boat and foot. Clay Engineering approached FST to provide a reliable, real-time monitoring solution that would minimize costly maintenance trips while ensuring a high level of quality service to Vodafone Fiji and, by extension, its cellular customers.

“The Muani system is one of three Vodafone Fiji sites we are currently monitoring with FST, and we have another three sites in the planning stage,” said Bruce Clay, CEO of Clay Engineering. “It is a very rewarding experience to see the communities in these remote islands have access to communications that we often take for granted. I look forward to continuing our work with Fat Spaniel to deliver reliable renewable power and high-quality service throughout these off-grid regions.”

FST worked with Clay Engineering to develop the custom PV2Web deployment, a combination of easy-to-install hardware and advanced software . The PV2Web monitoring and visualization software delivers anytime, anywhere access to system data and analysis through a web browser, mobile phone or PDA. Clay Engineering can also download the raw data for further analysis. Automated alerts help installers like Clay Engineering diagnose and resolve system issues more quickly, keeping customer systems running at peak performance. Easily deployed, PV2Web does not require any onsite computer equipment or software.

About Fat Spaniel Technologies

Based in San Jose, CA, Fat Spaniel Technologies (FST) is the leading provider of critical IT infrastructure and services for distributed power generation. FST services include data monitoring, system management & control, and financial reporting. FST's independent, third-party solutions enable system owners, installers, integrators, OEMs and utilities to optimize the delivery of distributed energy, recognize revenue, mitigate risk, control costs, and bring new business models to market. FST products are presently deployed worldwide on both renewable and fossil-fuel distributed energy systems including solar, wind, fuel cells, micro-turbines, diesel generators, and combined heat & power systems. For more information, visit www.fatspaniel.com

About Clay Engineering

Clay Engineering Ltd. specializes in the provision of renewable energy power systems for remote locations in Fiji and the Pacific Region. The company provides power systems for telecommunications, rural residences, resorts, health and educational services. For more information visit: www.clayengineering.com

Contact:
Rosalind Jackson
Antenna Group (for Fat Spaniel Technologies)
Email rosalind@antennagroup.com
Phone (415) 977-1923