Ontario is replacing coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy like water, wind, solar and bio-energy.

TORONTO - July 18, 2011 -- More solar panels will be manufactured in Ontario through a partnership between MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. and SunEdison, its solar energy subsidiary, along with manufacturing partner Flextronics in Newmarket, Ontario. The new solar panels will enable solar projects in Ontario to produce clean, renewable energy, helping to power thousands of homes, businesses, hospitals and schools. By building key partnerships in the province's clean energy industry, these companies are supporting Ontario's transition to renewable sources of energy.

Ontario is replacing coal-fired plants with cleaner sources of renewable energy like water, wind, solar and bio-energy. It's part of the province's plan to keep costs down for families today, while building a clean, modern and reliable electricity system for tomorrow.

QUOTES:

"Ontario's goal is to become North America's leading manufacturing centre of excellence in solar energy production. With the help of innovative, ahead-of-the-curve companies like SunEdison, our province is another step closer in developing a more reliable, cleaner energy system."

- Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade

"SunEdison is pleased to be part of building a long-term and sustainable solar market in Ontario. We believe that solar and other renewable energy solutions are key components of the province's supply mix as they create jobs and cleaner energy solutions."
– Jason Gray
Vice President and Country Manager, SunEdison

QUICK FACTS:

• Ontario's clean energy economy has attracted more than $20 billion of investment.

• Since 2009, more than 30 businesses have announced they are setting up or expanding plants in Ontario to manufacture parts for the solar and wind industry.

• Ontario has the most solar energy of any jurisdiction in Canada, and Ontario is home to the 10 largest solar farms in Canada.

• Ontario forecasts that by 2018, 10,700 megawatts of renewable power from wind, solar and bio-energy will have been brought online - enough electricity each year to power more than 2 million homes.

• Coal-fired generation was down 90 per cent in the first three months of 2011 compared to the same time-frame in 2003.

• Ontario has conserved more than 1,700 megawatts of electricity over the past five years - the equivalent of taking more than half a million homes off the electricity grid.

LEARN MORE:

o Read about Ontario's Long-Term Energy Plan
o Explore renewable energy in Ontario

For more information, contact:

Patricia Pytel, Media Relations, Brand Marketing
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade
Tel: 416-314-8704
E-mail: Patricia.Pytel@ontario.ca

Lindsey Schober, Senior Account Executive
BlissPR
Tel: 312-577-0043
E-mail: Lindsey@BlissPR.com