For cleantech success in Best in Solar and Wind, Silicon Energy honored at Corporate Cleantech Venture Day in Lahti, Finland

MARYSVILLE, Wash., Nov. 22, 2013 -- Silicon Energy, an innovative US manufacturer of high durability, double-glass photovoltaic (PV) modules is proud to announce that it has won the Best in Solar and Wind for the Global Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) 2013 Later Stage Award. The GCCA's Global Top 10 Winners represent the best of the association's nearly 50 member clusters and over 10,000 member companies. The GCCA Global Top 10 Winners were selected by 22 cleantech venture capital and private equity investors and serial entrepreneurs, who collectively manage over $3.5 billion in global clean technology investment. This year's awards were organized by the Finnish Cleantech Cluster.

The 2013 Global Top 10 award reflects Silicon Energy's cleantech success and market position as a Best in Solar and Wind company in the $163.1 billion global cleantech industry. It also indicates Silicon Energy's unique innovations are making a positive contribution to the green economy.

"Economic research demonstrates clusters are critical for regions fostering their technology centers, and they are paramount to the success building green economies," said Nina Harjula, GCCA Co-Founder and Finnish Cleantech Cluster Manager "The 2013 winners are both successful technically, strategically and regionally. It is an honor to highlight them and we wish them continued to success."

Silicon Energy was nominated for the GCCA Later Stage Award by the Washington Clean Technology Alliance in May 2013 for addressing the solar industry's quality and durability issues by manufacturing the Cascade, an innovative double-glass, open-frame photovoltaic (PV) module balancing beauty, safety and quality with long-term durability. The Global Top 10 were selected out of the 10,000 companies represented by the GCCA's nearly 50 member clusters. In total, 160 companies were nominated by clusters as leading in their regions. That number was later narrowed to the Global Top 30 Semi-Finalists using the Keystone Method™, a business and venture development tool developed by GCCA Head Judge Dr. Peter Adriaens and CleanTech Acceleration Partners at the University of Michigan.

Silicon Energy's Cascade PV module and mounting system fully encloses all system wiring. Silicon Energy uses an advanced encapsulant resulting in a Class-A Fire Safety rating and a Potential-Induced degradation (PID) free module. In National Renewable Energy Laboratory "Test-to-Failure" testing, the Cascade outperformed standard PV modules. Silicon Energy offers an industry leading 30-year power warranty and is uniquely positioned for PV-Integrated applications.

"It is a great honor to win GCCA's Best in Solar and Wind award," stated Silicon Energy's President, Gary Shaver. "Silicon Energy is focused on bringing innovative PV products and solutions that combine beauty and functionality. GCCA's recognition further emboldens us to continue innovating beyond the present commodity-focused state of the PV industry and look to a future where PV is a more attractive and functional part of our built environment."

A full list of all the GCCA Later Stage Award 2013 Global Top 10 Finalists can be found at: http://www.globalcleantech.org/2013-winners/.

About Silicon Energy

Founded in 2007, Silicon Energy delivers the highest quality and most durable photovoltaic (PV) modules on the market today, backed by one of the best warranties in the world. Located in Washington and Minnesota, Silicon Energy's sustainable approach to doing business offers customers a world-class, locally manufactured and environmentally-friendly solar PV product. The company's philosophy of supporting the local and US economy and its commitment to creating long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing PV allows customers to be confident that while they are reducing their carbon footprint they are also contributing to their local economy. Silicon Energy PV Systems are available through select partners for home, commercial, government, and utility installations. For more information about Silicon Energy, please visit www.silicon-energy.com or call (360) 618-6500 or (218)-789-1710.

About the Global Cleantech Cluster Association

Global Cleantech is a non-profit association, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. that creates conduits for companies to harness the tremendous benefits of international cleantech cluster collaboration in an efficient, affordable, and structured way. Global Cleantech provides a gateway for established and emerging cleantech companies to gain exposure to potential investors, new markets, influential networks, innovative technologies and best practices. GCCA was founded by the Finnish Cleantech Cluster, swisscleantech, Technica Communications and Watershed Capital Group. For more information about Global Cleantech, please visit www.globalcleantech.org.