Camarillo Firm Helps Light D.C. Christmas Tree

Once again, solar panels produced by Camarillo-based Siemens Solar Industries are generating some of the electricity that lights the national Christmas tree.

As it did last year, Siemens has joined other U.S. solar manufacturers in providing panels for the traditional Washington holiday spectacle.

The panels gather the sun’s power during the day, then deliver it at night to the National Park Service.

The solar demonstration was coordinated by the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

In addition to generating electricity for the tree’s lights, Siemens’ cells provided power used in Washington’s annual Pageant of Peace festival. The festival opened Dec. 6 with the lighting of the national tree by President Clinton and members of his family.

Siemens donated 28 of its M55 solar modules to help power the festival and tree. All the modules were manufactured in Camarillo. Siemens says it is the world’s largest supplier of solar cells and modules.