Iowa, 16. March 2010 – PowerFilm Inc. is rolling out its new “E&P” Magnetic Solar Panel to the emergency responder industry through an exclusive agreement with SoundOff Signal, manufacturer of quality emergency, bus and commercial vehicle safety products. Municipalities can use the “E&P” Magnetic Solar Panel to save fuel and emergency vehicle replacement costs, and to help meet carbon emissions standards.

The flexible solar module has a magnetic backing that affixes to the roof of cars and trucks, and can be tied directly in to a vehicle’s electrical system. Uninterrupted solar power eliminates the need for police cars and the like to idle constantly to draw on the battery. Turning off car engines saves fuel, extends battery life and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide put into the environment by exhaust.

Studies show one hour of idle time in a police car equates to burning one gallon of gasoline and putting 33 miles of wear and tear on the vehicle. Industry statistics also indicate batteries are replaced two times annually on average in police cars, with car life typically only two to three years. PowerFilm tested its flexible “E&P” Magnetic Solar Panel with actual municipal police and state patrol agencies in the Midwest, Idaho and Eastern Pennsylvania to verify its effectiveness in demanding public safety environments.

“The dual pressures of tight public safety budgets combined with the high cost of gas make the PowerFilm ‘E&P’ Magnetic Solar Panel a commonsense solution for emergency responders,” said Tom Palumbo, vice president sales and marketing at SoundOff Signal. “When you factor in life cycle costs and conservation ? in terms of vehicles, parts and service, greenhouse gas compliance, and the ability to keep the power in emergency vehicles ? this solar module presents a more sustainable win-win solution.” “We have heard from the various police and state patrol departments assisting us with product testing that the quick ROI is a budget assist,” said Tim Neugent, president and chief operating officer for PowerFilm. “More importantly, being able to start vehicles left unused for days or weeks, especially during emergencies, without needing a jump start makes the ‘E&P’ Magnetic Solar Module extremely attractive.”

Hudsonville, Mich.-based SoundOff Signal offers safety lighting solutions for law enforcement vehicles and school buses, plus products for fire and volunteer needs. Known in the industry as the inventor of the “wig wag” flasher for police vehicle headlights, it also lays claim to introducing the first Earth-friendly LED warning lights for American school buses in 2002. More recently, SoundOff has begun manufacturing and marketing the award-winning anti-collision warning device, StrobeWise, for motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Besides the exclusive “E&P” Magnetic Solar Panel, SoundOff Signal will market a number of other PowerFilm solar products on a nonexclusive basis under the partnership agreement.

“With more than 30 years in business, SoundOff Signal has a big footprint in the emergency responder, fleet vehicle and trucking industries,” said PowerFilm’s Neugent. “Its reputation for game-changing ingenuity and product development makes it a perfect choice to market our ‘E&P’ Magnetic Solar Panel and other PowerFilm solar products.”

Source: PowerFilm

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