News

ATS Automation Tooling Systems to Provide Solar Electricity to China

February 21, 2001 by Jeff Shepard

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (ATS, Canada) announced the start of a pilot project that will provide solar electricity to rural homes in western China through the use of ATS's photovoltaic technology. The pilot project, being undertaken with government and private industry partners, expands on an on-going project on photovoltaic renewable energy that was started over a year ago.

The project is the culmination of efforts by ATS, the Canadian government's Technology Early Action Measures Program, and Chinese partners Xining New Energy Development Company and China Renewable Energy Industry Association. The total estimated project costs are approximately $1.9 million, of which 90 percent will be borne by the Chinese partners.

“ATS is a world leader in the development and manufacture of photovoltaic energy products, and we are very proud of this project, one of the largest of its kind in China," claimed Klaus Woerner, president and CEO of ATS. “When completed, this project may provide electricity to 15,000 or more rural family homes in the western provinces of China. This pilot project is a strong endorsement of our leading renewable energy photovoltaic solar technology and is an important next step in providing affordable energy to remote areas of China and other parts of the world."