Westinghouse Solar Receives New U.S. Patent And Three More Foreign Patents

CAMPBELL, Calif., Feb. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akeena Solar, Inc. d/b/a Westinghouse Solar, (Nasdaq:WEST), a manufacturer and distributor of solar power systems, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") issued the company another patent that covers key aspects of its Westinghouse Solar panel. The company also announced it had received three foreign patents. Currently, Westinghouse Solar has seven issued patents and eighteen other pending U.S. and foreign patent applications working their way through the USPTO and foreign patent offices.

The new patent (U.S. No. 7,866,098), issued on January 11, 2011, covers the Westinghouse Solar panel's unique interconnection and mounting design. In addition to this third U.S. patent, the company received three foreign patents in 2010: Australian Patent No. 2,005,248,343; Indian Patent No. 243,626; and Mexican Patent No. 274,182. A Korean Patent No. 751,614 was issued in 2007.

"These new domestic and foreign patent awards are additional validation of our unique solar panel installation technology," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Westinghouse Solar. "Prices for commodity solar panels continue to decline, making installation time and materials a greater percentage of system cost. Our growing portfolio of intellectual property related to solar panels with integrated racking, wiring and grounding will become increasingly valuable as industry cost reduction trends continue. We look forward to working with our partners to license products or co-develop projects using this technology."

About Akeena Solar, Inc. d/b/a Westinghouse Solar (Nasdaq:WEST)

Westinghouse Solar is a manufacturer and distributor of solar power systems. Award winning Westinghouse Solar Power Systems provide a leading combination of safety, performance and reliability, while backed by the proven quality of the Westinghouse name. For more information on Westinghouse Solar, visit www.westinghousesolar.com.

The Westinghouse Solar logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7801

WEST-G

CONTACT: Public Relations Contact:
         Sara Blood
         Carmichael Lynch Spong
         [phone]
         [e-mail]
         
         Investor Relations Contact:
         Genesis Select
         Matthew Selinger, Partner
         [phone]
         [e-mail]