Wieneke of TechCity leases 2,500 s/f to EarthKind at TechCity

EarthKind Energy, Inc., one of NYS' leading solar thermal technology firms, has signed a lease to locate office and warehouse/light assembly space at TechCity, according to Dan Wieneke, president of TechCity Properties. EarthKind will consolidate office and warehouse space, initially occupying 2,500 s/f of office, warehouse and light assembly space at 500 Enterprise Dr. in TechCity. Shortly thereafter, they will finalize preparations to move into 5,000 to 10,000 s/f of warehouse and manufacturing/assembly space at building #51 at TechCity to provide New York-made, advanced solar heating products. EarthKind negotiated with Wieneke in the lease negotiations. Wieneke said, "EarthKind is a perfect example of the type of companies we want to attract, and help to grow and prosper here. Our own development plans include the extensive use of solar and other alternative forms of energy, and the attraction of companies that produce advanced green products and green collar jobs." "EarthKind is excited to be the first solar energy company to move into TechCity," said John Smigelski, CEO of EarthKind Energy. "This is our first step toward establishing a regional center that can provide solar heat and hot water products to the New York and northeast market place. Solar thermal is the lowest cost renewable energy for residences and businesses." Smigelski went on to say that "the northeast provides a solar thermal market larger than Germany, where more than 150,000 solar thermal installations per year generate $2 Billion in economic activity and support over 20,000 jobs." EarthKind Energy was launched in 2007 by its principals, John Smigelski, CEO; Keith Christensen, Senior VP of Sales and Marketing; and Ron Kamen, Senior VP of Business Development. In two years, after securing distribution agreements for world class technologies, developing pilot commercial projects, recruiting and training residential dealers, and promoting NYS energy policy and regulations, EarthKind has become one of the state's leading authorities on solar thermal technologies. The company has conducted extensive public education and training sessions throughout the state, and is developing a diverse network of installers, including plumbers, HVAC and photovoltaic technicians, Building Performance Institute-certified and Multi-Family Performance contractors, installers and partners. In 2008, EarthKind and its dealers sold and installed an estimated 20% of all solar thermal systems in New York State. TechCity's recently released master plan envisions the site transformed into a 21st century eco-village through the re-use of former industrial buildings, the installation of clean energy systems including solar panels and green roofs on the property's existing large-area, flat roof buildings. For more information, visit: www.techcityny.com. About TechCity TechCity, located approximately 100 miles north of New York City in the Town of Ulster, is a 2.5 million-square-foot, mixed use business campus offering space for office, technology, industrial and commercial users. Its tenants include Bank of America, Partsearch Technologies, and Hunter Panels. About EarthKind EarthKind provides fuel-free solar heat and hot water solutions directly to commercial customers, as well as residential solar hot water products through a network of dealers and installers. Its contracts include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the State University of New York at Binghamton, and Ronnybrook Farms. www.EarthKindEnergy.com. About Solar Thermal Most people in the U.S. associate "Solar" with Solar Electric "Photovoltaic (PV)". However, Solar Thermal (heat and hot water) technologies provide energy at less than 1/3rd the cost of PV. Worldwide, more than 42 million Solar Hot Water systems produce ten times more energy than all PV installations, according to the United States Energy Information Agency. The majority of the energy costs (and carbon emissions) in NYS buildings is due to burning fossil fuels for heat and hot water. Even New York City, which has the densest concentration of electric power in the world, has identified that heat and hot water consume more energy - and create more carbon emissions - than electricity. Solar thermal technologies provide the most cost-effective renewable energy solution to directly reduce the burning of fossil fuels, save energy and money, lower carbon emissions, and improve independence from foreign energy sources.