Leading Solar Asset Developer, Helio Micro Utility, Acquires Simple Energies LLC

SAN FRANCISCO, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Helio Micro Utility (Helio mU), a developer and financier of solar energy projects, today announced the acquisition of Simple Energies LLC, a renewable energy project development company with a 50 megawatt global pipeline.  The agreement brings renewable energy veteran and Simple Energies CEO Ty Jagerson to the company's executive management team.  Jagerson, who was a founding executive of SolFocus and co-founder of the Xerox PARC Cleantech Initiative, becomes President of Helio Micro Utility; he also steps in to lead commercial and utility scale sales for affiliated company HelioPower, becoming Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales.

Helio Micro Utility, spun out of HelioPower in 2007, works with established financial partners to develop, own and operate large commercial and utility scale solar assets in the United States and abroad. In 2008 the firm worked with Citi Community Capital, a division of Citi, to form the Helio Green Energy Community Investment Fund, a $100 million solar financing program.  The initial project for the Helio Green Energy Fund was The Tech Museum in San Jose, CA. Sister company HelioPower, founded in 2001, has installed more than 1000 solar power systems worldwide. Terms of the acquisition agreement were not disclosed.

Mo Rousso, Chief Executive Officer for Helio mU, said, "By acquiring Simple Energies, Helio Micro Utility expands its pipeline into adjacent solar markets and other renewable energy domains and increases our solar financing strength. Bringing Ty on board in particular adds a seasoned solar industry professional with proven U.S. and international project development skills; this adds the financial acumen we need for this next stage of our growth." He further added, "As the demand for clean energy continues to accelerate here and abroad, Ty's expertise will help us scale up in developing, financing, owning, and operating renewable energy assets."

Ty Jagerson said, "I'm delighted to be joining such a well-established, and well-regarded solar energy team. The track record that Mo and the team have built for performance and profitable growth makes them an ideal match for the renewable energy project portfolio and innovative solar financing products we have developed at Simple Energies."

About Helio Micro Utility

Helio Micro Utility (Helio mU) is a Clean Energy Utility™.  The company develops, owns and operates solar power systems.  The Helio mU Buy Power not Panels™ program makes purchasing solar energy more accessible for commercial, public sector and large scale energy users. The performance of its solar power systems is guaranteed by the company's Investment Grade™ system standards which drive implementation of the industry's best practices, quality, and efficiency standards for solar energy production. Helio Micro Utility is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. For more information please visit http://www.HeliomU.com.

About HelioPower

HelioPower has engineered over 1000 solar power solutions for residential, commercial, community and utility scale partners since 2001 in the Western states and serves clients worldwide.  Customer testimonials are available at http://www.HelioPower.com.  HelioPower can also be reached toll free at 1.87.SOLAR.888/1.877.652.7888.

SOURCE HelioPower