Uwe T. Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Solar Trust of America and Executive Chairman of Solar Millennium, LLC, said the company is eager to commence work on this project and demonstrate its potential as a driver of economic and environmental progress. “We expect to be the leading force in California’s clean energy initiatives and our Blythe facility will clearly demonstrate how renewable energy can power California’s future, while creating thousands of jobs and stimulating the local and state economies.”

“We are honored to receive formal approval today from the California Energy Commission,” stated Josef Eichhammer, President of Solar Trust of America and CEO of Solar Millennium, LLC. “Together with the State of California’s leadership we are committed to restoring the state as the global leader in renewable energy. This multi-billion dollar facility will be the largest solar generating facility in the world and will help solidify that reputation.”

Having received formal approval from the California Energy Commission, the project must now secure a Record of Decision approving the project’s Right of Way Grant from the Federal Bureau of Land Management, which is expected this fall. The company is also actively pursuing completion of financing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program for the first phase of the project, representing approximately 500 MW of generating capacity.

Converting the high-intensity solar radiation of the California desert into electricity will bring a host of environmental benefits to the state. Once constructed, the solar project will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately two million tons per year, or the equivalent of removing more than 300,000 cars from the road. Additionally, because the power plant is “dry-cooled”, it will use 90 percent less water than a traditional “wet-cooled” solar facility of this size. It will also help California take a major step toward achieving its goal of having one third of the state’s power come from renewable sources by the year 2020.

In addition to environmental benefits, the project will provide a substantial boost to the Riverside County economy. The project will generate approximately 2,500 jobs during the construction period and create more than 200 permanent jobs once the 1,000 MW facility is fully operational.

Local officials were among the coalition supporting the project throughout its approval process because of the significant environmental and economic benefits. California State Assembly member V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) said, “Not only will the project harvest the sun to generate clean energy in our community but it will also provide a powerful kick-start to the local economy.”

About Solar Trust of America and Solar Millennium, LLC

Solar Trust of America, LLC is an integrated industrial solar solutions company strategically positioned to support the critical need for renewable energy generation in the United States. The company’s Project Development, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), financial resources and operational management expertise ensures the delivery of a fully integrated concentrated solar power solution using commercially viable and proven parabolic trough solar thermal energy technology. For more information about the company visit www.SolarTrustOfAmerica.com.

Together with its wholly owned U.S. development subsidiary, Oakland, California-based Solar Millennium, LLC, and global business partners Solar Millennium AG and Ferrostaal AG, Solar Trust of America is actively pursuing the construction and development of multiple solar thermal power plants across the southwestern U.S. The company currently has nine solar thermal energy power plants in advanced stages of development near Ridgecrest, Blythe and Desert Center, California, as well as in the Amargosa Valley near Las Vegas, Nevada.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding Solar Trust’s plans, estimates, assumptions, expectations or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the design, construction or operation of the planned Blythe solar power plants, expected actions of the California Energy Commission or other regulatory authorities, milestones under Solar Trust’s agreement with Southern California Edison (SCE) as well as statements about Solar Trust’s strategies, objectives, goals, targets, outlook, and business and financial prospects. These statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company’s views as of any subsequent date, and Solar Trust is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any responsibility to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.