BAODING, China and WASHINGTON, June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) ("Yingli Green Energy" or the "Company"), a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic ("PV") manufacturers, which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar", teamed up with its partner the U.S. Soccer Federation to announce the formation of Yingli Green Energy's nationwide PASS program in the U.S.: Powering Advancement with Solar and Soccer. The initiative combines the financial and educational benefits of a solar power system donation with the active lifestyle benefits of soccer.
To kick-off the PASS program, Yingli Green Energy and U.S. Soccer inaugurated a 5 kW solar energy system at the KIPP DC WILL Academy public charter school in the capital's Shaw neighborhood. Members of the U.S. Men's National Team, Maurice Edu and Oguchi Onyewu, led a soccer skills clinic for students, and helped to empower the school's growing soccer program.
Yingli Green Energy also brought the 2014 FIFA World CupTM Winner's Trophy to the school as part of its global sponsorship with FIFA. Yingli Green Energy is the first renewable energy company to sponsor the FIFA World Cup.
"We believe there are two never-ending resources in every community around the world - the power of the sun, and the power of play. We're proud to help bring the two together at the KIPP DC campus and to launch the PASS program. We're hopeful this initiative will provide a platform to help effect positive change in the lives of underserved communities across the U.S.," said Helena Kimball, Head of Marketing for Yingli Green Energy Americas.
"We believe in leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, and we thank our partners - U.S. Soccer, KIPP DC, and Standard Solar - for taking this first step with us," Kimball added.
The solar energy system donated by Yingli Green Energy will become part of the KIPP school's curriculum, which will be installed by Rockville, Md.-based Standard Solar, Inc. A special computer "dashboard" screen will let students monitor the energy their Yingli Solar system will create, as well as overall electricity use at the school.
"KIPP kids will be part of the system from day one," said Tony Clifford, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Solar, which will install the solar system at no cost to the school. "Solar energy systems like this give schools a unique hands-on opportunity to teach students about renewable energy."
The KIPP DC WILL Academy serves more than 300 students in grades five through eight. Helping kids to understand the importance of healthy and sustainable lifestyle choices, both on and off campus, is an important and growing part of KIPP DC's year-round program.
"We're thrilled to have solar be part of our curriculum and our everyday school life from the classrooms and our gym to the soccer field," said Kate Finley, Principal, KIPP DC: WILL Academy. "After all, giving our kids the power to learn is key to our approach and even our name - Knowledge Is Power Program."
Yingli Green Energy is helping to make the 2014 FIFA World CupTM games in Brazil the most sustainable and environmentally friendly of all time, most recently transforming the iconic Maracana soccer stadium in Rio de Janiero to be powered by solar energy.
About Yingli Green Energy
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE), which markets its products under the brand "Yingli Solar," is a leading solar energy company and one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers. Yingli Green Energy's manufacturing covers the entire photovoltaic value chain, from the production of polysilicon through ingot casting and wafering, to solar cell production and module assembly. Currently, Yingli Green Energy maintains a balanced vertically integrated production capacity of 1,850 MW per year. Capacity expansion projects of an additional 600 MW in total are under construction in Baoding, Haikou, Tianjin and Hengshui, which are expected to increase the Company's total nameplate production capacity to 2,450 MW by the end of 2012. Yingli Green Energy distributes its photovoltaic modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China and the United States. Headquartered in Baoding, China, Yingli Green Energy has more than 20 subsidiaries and branch offices worldwide. Yingli Green Energy is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: YGE). For more information, please visit www.yinglisolar.com.
About U.S. SOCCER
Founded in 1913, the U.S. Soccer Federation has helped chart the course for soccer in the USA for almost 100 years as the governing body of the sport. In this time, the Federation's mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer, in all its forms, a pre-eminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. To that end, the sport's growth in the past two decades has been nothing short of remarkable as U.S. Soccer's National Teams have continually succeeded on the world stage while also growing the game here in the United States with the support of its members. For more information, visit ussoccer.com.
About KIPP DC
KIPP DC is a network of high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools in Washington, D.C. All KIPP DC schools are tuition-free, open enrollment schools, and actively recruit and serve students in the city's most under-resourced communities. At KIPP DC, there are no shortcuts. Outstanding educators and staff, more time in school, a rigorous college preparatory-curriculum, and a strong culture of achievement and support help our students make significant academic gains and continue to excel in high school and college. KIPP DC students receive an intensive foundation in the core academic subjects with an emphasis on developing the knowledge and skills necessary for success in school and in life. Almost 100% of the student body is African American, and more than 80% qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program. The KIPP DC network currently serves over 2,600 students at nine schools on three campuses in the District of Columbia, and will eventually serve over 3,500 students by 2015. For more information, visit www.kippdc.org.
For further information, please contact:
Helena Kimball
Yingli Green Energy Americas, Inc.
Tel:+1-603-591-5812
Email: helena.kimball@yingliamericas.com
Lindsay Kelly
KIPP DC
Tel:+1-202-265-KIPP (5477)
Email: Lindsay.kelly@kippdc.org
