Carmanah unveils new wireless solar-powered airfield light

Sept. 21, 2006
Date Announced: 21 Sep 2006 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada - Carmanah Technologies Corporation announces the launch of its Model A704-5 wireless solar-powered LED airfield light into China’s rapidly growing aviation market.Carmanah representatives unveiled the Model A704-5 at the inter airport China 2006 tradeshow in Beijing, China, September 6 - 8, and then met with distributors from seven surrounding countries at the Carmanah Aviation Distributor Conference in Beijing, September 8 - 10.China is a key aviation market with the world’s second largest total of departing passengers on scheduled airlines and unprecedented growth averaging 13 per cent per year. Carmanah’s Model A704-5, the world's most versatile solar-powered LED airfield light for permanent, temporary and emergency applications, will help meet the demands of China’s large-scale airport expansions."This is our first airfield light to include wireless control and our first light to include dual-function infrared and visible-spectrum LED operation," states Carmanah's CEO, Art Aylesworth. "The A704-5’s unprecedented suite of features greatly increases the range of applications and safety enhancements for our commercial, defense and general aviation customers."The Model A704-5 includes the following new features:-Improved visibility and safety through the use of brighter LEDs and a new lens design that provides a wider beam angle.-Available wireless control with Carmanah’s rugged, water-resistant handheld controller allows any single group of lights to be operated remotely from up to 2.5 miles (four kilometres) distance. Operators on the ground, in a control tower, or a moving vehicle or aircraft can control light operation and intensity to save power or increase brightness for times of low-visibility. Lights also include a manual switch and Carmanah’s standard fully programmable operation.-A connector for a standard external VHF receiver allows the Model A704-5 to be configured for pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) (which allows pilots to turn on airfield lighting for 15-minute intervals by keying a VHF transmitter). LED lighting is ideally suited to PCL because it activates instantly, requires no warm-up time, and isn’t damaged by being turned on and off.-A more powerful battery stores a charge for up to 600 hours of autonomous operation. The A704-5 also includes an external power supply connector.-Carmanah’s proprietary MicroSource(R) integration technology now includes maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for even more efficient solar charging.-Operation in both visible and infrared modes. Infrared lighting, invisible to the naked eye but highly visible to night-vision equipped pilots, is becoming increasingly popular as a safety enhancement for non-military aircraft in low-visibility situations. Some commercial aircraft now have infrared cameras pre-installed.-A carrying handle built into the aluminum housing to expedite portable airfield setup.For more product information, please visit: http://www.solarairportlights.com/content/products/7045/default.aspxCarmanah lights install in minutes and require no trenching or wiring. Each light is completely independent, self-contained, compact and waterproof. Carmanah's patented MICROSOURCE® Energy Management System ensures year-round reliability in any environment, field-proven in the low-light winters of Alaska and Canada’s Northwest Territories. Independent of conventional power, a Carmanah system is its own emergency backup.An investment in Carmanah lights pays for itself; California’s Truckee Tahoe Airport saved US$850,000 in capital costs and an ongoing US$16,000 annually in electricity bills.The enhanced solar and wireless features of the Model A704-5 will allow small and remote airports with limited electrical infrastructure and ground staff to install and operate lighting systems at lower cost than ever before, a safety solution for the approximately 7,000 general aviation airports in the U.S. that have no lighting.Hundreds of commercial and general aviation airports worldwide use Carmanah's solar-powered LED airfield lights. For more information about Carmanah's unique airfield lighting products, please visit www.solarairportlights.comAbout Carmanah Technologies CorporationCarmanah, one of North America’s largest solar companies, is an award-winning manufacturer specializing in renewable and energy-efficient technology solutions. The company is currently focused on three technology groups: solar power systems and equipment, solar-powered LED lighting, and LED-illuminated signage. Carmanah is headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and has branch offices and/or sales representation in 11 cities across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. With more than 250,000 installations worldwide, Carmanah is one of the world's premier suppliers of energy-efficient products. The shares of Carmanah Technologies Corporation are publicly traded on the TSX under the symbol "CMH".

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David Davies Carmanah Technologies Corporation 250.382.4332

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Web Site:http://www.carmanah.com