ATLANTA, GEORGIA, January 24, 2005: -- GE Energy's solar electric power systems were recently installed by Premier Power at Shafer Vineyards in Napa, Calif., making it the first winery in the wine country of Napa and Sonoma counties to move to 100 percent solar power.

GE Energy's solar electric power systems will supply Shafer Vineyards with 100 percent of its power needs, including providing power to the winery's offices and processing facilities, as well as its large, state-of-the-art barrel refrigeration rooms. The winery expects the project to pay for itself in energy cost savings in seven to eight years. The winery will begin its first solar powered wine production when the bottling line starts up this month.

Premier Power designed the 129-kilowatt solar electric system, which features 784 of GE Energy's GEPV165 solar power modules. Each solar power module generates a peak power of 165 watts. Premier Power, GE's Northern California distributor, seamlessly integrated its system into Shafer Vineyards' landscaping and existing structures. The system consists of three sub systems: two 50 kW east/west rooftop systems, and a 29 kW combined south rooftop and a ground-mounted system. The system should produce approximately 12,900 kWh per month or approximately 155,000 kWh per year. The entire system could power roughly 20 to 30 average U.S. homes.

According to Dean Marks, president of Premier Power, "Premier Power selected GE Energy's solar electric systems for the project because of the in-depth support in design and layout GE provides. Their support involved collaboration on electrical design elements including equipment selection and site layout."

The winery is on track to receive a rebate of up to $490,000 from Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) through the local utility's Self-Generation Incentive Program, which covers up to half the cost of clean, on-site electric generating systems.

"For more than 20 years, Shafer Vineyards has worked diligently to develop a sustainable business. Our conversion to a total use of solar power is part of that plan," said Doug Shafer, president of Shafer Vineyards. "We are very pleased with the way Premier and GE worked together to build the best possible system for our winery."

"We are delighted that the first fully solar winery in Napa and Sonoma counties has made the complete conversion to solar power using GE Energy's products," said Ali Iz, general manager, GE Energy's solar technologies division.

"The Shafer Vineyards project is our most recent addition to our list of wineries which includes Sierra Vista Winery, Domaine de la Terre Rouge and Madrona Vineyards," said Premier Powers Marks. "We have a long history of working with GE Energy and we look forward to continuing our relationship."

"PG&E is proud to have partnered with the Shafer Vineyards on this important project and applauds the winery for its foresight," said Beverly Alexander, vice president of customer satisfaction for the utility. "PG&E has a long-standing commitment to energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy."

About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world?s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2003 revenues of nearly $18.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.

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