SOLANA BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Open Energy Corporation (OTCBB: OEGY), a renewable energy company focused on building integrated photovoltaic solutions, announced today that it has signed a development agreement with San Diego based John DeWald & Associates to create its first “solar community” project which will enable homeowners in the Pacific Station development in California to gain the benefits of rooftop solar power systems at no upfront cost to the developer or homeowner.
Under the terms of this agreement, Open Energy will finance $480,000 and install 1.2 kW systems on each of the 47 condominium townhomes at the mixed use residential and commercial development located on Pacific Coast Highway in downtown Encinitas in exchange for the rights to sell a percentage of the solar electricity provided under a long term purchase agreement. The development also includes a Whole Foods store and mixed retail and commercial units.
John DeWald said, “Creative financing is key to effectively implementing solar in the current market and the Solar Communities program is a great tool allowing us to include solar as part of our green building program. The utilization of Open Energy’s SolarSave Membranes does not detract architecturally from our low slope roofs and the fact that we are deploying solar electricity will help us to qualify the project as one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified commercial projects in Encinitas. It is part of a comprehensive green design program that includes energy efficient materials, water conservation techniques, resource conservation, and the recycling of demolition materials.
“We are thrilled that Pacific Station will represent the inaugural project for Open Energy’s innovative 'Solar Communities' model. This exciting new concept will allow us to provide solar energy systems to our residents and all the benefits of a system such as increased home value, a reduced monthly electric bill and a higher resale home rate all for no upfront cost to the homeowner.”
David Field, President and Chief Operating Officer of Open Energy, added, “With this project we are moving forward with our stated intention to become a power provider as well as a solar equipment vendor. Up until now, residential customers have not been able to take full advantage of federal tax incentives for renewable energy systems. An additional hurdle to residential solar energy systems is that they have long been considered unattractive and expensive. Our 'Solar Communities' business model and award winning SolarSave products are designed to break through these barriers. Homeowners will lower their monthly utility bill and receive the appreciated property value of a solar system without bearing the up-front costs. The developer can meet their design and environmental objectives, and the community as a whole can lower its carbon footprint. It is a win-win value proposition.”
The Pacific Station project is slated to break ground in Spring 2008 and will take about 18 months to complete. It will utilize approximately 130 SolarSave® membranes, and is projected to provide over 1.5 million kilowatt hours of clean renewable electricity over the life of the contract. Open Energy will engineer the PV portion of the project, and supply balance of system equipment including inverters and monitoring equipment. Under the terms of the agreement, Open Energy will provide engineering and rebate processing, as well as long-term operation and maintenance of the system. The SolarSave® membranes will be provided by Open Energy at its cost, in exchange for the right to sell power to the development’s occupants. As a result, any revenues will be realized by OEC only upon project completion and occupancy.
Monday, March 31, 2008
World’s Only Solar-Powered Compaction System Designed in SolidWorks
CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eating its way to the forefront of the “green” movement, the BigBelly® trash bin designed in SolidWorks® 3D CAD software is the world’s first and only on-site solar-powered trash compactor. BigBelly is used in busy places around the world like shopping districts, food courts, and entertainment venues, or in remote places such as parks and beaches.Standing at 50 inches tall and weighing 300 pounds, BigBelly uses only the sun’s energy to compact and store five times the amount of garbage as receptacles of the same size. The machine uses up to 1, 250 pounds of force to compact trash periodically until it is full. Municipalities and city parks that formerly emptied garbage cans twice a day can now empty BigBelly once a week, reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions from garbage truck trips. Headquartered in Needham, Mass., the BigBelly Solar company standardized on SolidWorks software to optimize the unit’s design and accelerate development to meet customer demand.
“Escalating steel prices forced us to rethink our approach to early development models,” said Jeff Satwicz, BigBelly Solar product manager. “SolidWorks’ sheet metal features along with simple load analyses in COSMOSXpress™ enabled us to re-design the machine with 30 percent fewer steel parts. That not only cut costs for a young startup company, but also jibed with our eco-friendly philosophy.”
The unit, which stores energy even on cloudy days, can operate for a full day with the equivalent energy it requires to toast a slice of bread. It can operate for eight years on the equivalent energy it takes to drive a garbage truck one mile. These feats are possible in part because BigBelly Solar, its manufacturing partner, and their suppliers have good design communication.Most of BigBelly Solar’s suppliers use SolidWorks, and they share design concepts with eDrawings® e-mail-enabled design communication tool. eDrawings lets users send and receive 3D models or 2D drawings of product designs that recipients can view, rotate, and study as if they had a physical prototype in front of them. “It’s important to have everyone speaking the same language. That helps us look at the big picture as well as the details,” said Satwicz.
BigBelly Solar recently unveiled recycling units that connect to BigBelly or can stand alone, for customers who want to extend their environmentally friendly waste solutions. Designed in SolidWorks, the BigBelly Recycling Unit looks similar to the BigBelly, but offers an insertion hole for cans and bottles, mixed paper or both.
“The ‘green’ movement’s success is measured in increments,” said SolidWorks CEO Jeff Ray. “BigBelly is a great example of innovation in the face of a global problem. Its rapid adoption across the U.S. and in foreign countries demonstrates that we can find ways to reduce our impact on the environment – in this case, one BigBelly at a time.”
BigBelly Solar relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller CADD Edge for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
Amtech Systems Announces $5 Million in New Solar Orders
TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS), a global supplier of production and automation systems and related supplies for the manufacture of solar cells, semiconductors, and silicon wafers, today announced that its subsidiary, Tempress Systems, Inc., has received $5 million in follow-on solar orders for diffusion processing systems from existing customers based in Asia and Europe.
Since the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2007, Amtech has received solar orders totaling approximately $47 million, including this most recent order. Equipment orders typically ship within six to nine months of receipt. The order from Europe is from a customer that provides key devices related to the production of polysilicon, which is at the very front of the solar supply chain.
“We are very pleased to receive these follow-on orders, which reflect the increasing acceptance we are seeing for our solar products from our worldwide solar customer base,” said J.S. Whang, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amtech.
Since the beginning of its 2008 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2007, Amtech has received solar orders totaling approximately $47 million, including this most recent order. Equipment orders typically ship within six to nine months of receipt. The order from Europe is from a customer that provides key devices related to the production of polysilicon, which is at the very front of the solar supply chain.
“We are very pleased to receive these follow-on orders, which reflect the increasing acceptance we are seeing for our solar products from our worldwide solar customer base,” said J.S. Whang, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amtech.
Ascent Solar Reaches Manufacturing Milestone
LITTLETON, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI) announced today that the company has achieved its first quarter 2008 manufacturing milestone of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on its 1.5 megawatt production line.Ascent Solar employs a unique roll-to-roll manufacturing process to produce photovoltaic modules on large format plastic rolls. The first set of production runs with the new processing tools resulted in better than expected average efficiencies of 9.5% including a high efficiency of 10.27%. Uniformity in the manufacturing processes and tools has met company targets for the initial production trials by achieving overall thin-film uniformity of plus or minus approximately 3% across the width of the roll and plus or minus approximately 2% along its length.
Ascent Solar’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Dr. Prem Nath stated, “IOC is an important milestone for Ascent Solar. Our entire manufacturing team is very pleased with the initial results, including the process uniformities demonstrated by our new production tools. We now intend to focus our efforts on repeatability, production yields and continued efficiency improvements.”
Ascent Solar plans to begin limited commercial production by the end of the second quarter of 2008, supplying development and test modules to customers in support of joint product development efforts currently underway, and initiating product certification activities.
6N Silicon Secures up to $20 Million in Financing Led by Good Energies
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- 6N Silicon Inc., a supplier of true solar grade silicon for the photovoltaic industry, announced today that it has secured up to USD $20 million in second round financing. This investment round was led by Good Energies, a leading global investor in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry. Both major investors from the company's first round of private financing, Ventures West Management and Yaletown Venture Partners, also participated. The investment will be used by the company to move into commercial production.6N Silicon's goal is to be the lowest cost provider of solar grade silicon that does not require blending with high-purity silicon. 6N Silicon's primary differentiation is its unique process for upgrading standard metallurgical grade silicon into true solar grade silicon. With low capital equipment and production costs, the 6N process scales quickly and easily and features dramatically lower input energy requirements than conventional silicon purification processes.
"We are very excited that Good Energies, a proven investor in solar photovoltaics, has chosen to support our company," said Paolo Maccario, Chief Executive Officer of 6N Silicon. "Good Energies conducted a considerable amount of due diligence on our company and our process. This investment, therefore, is a significant endorsement by one of the industry's most respected investors, and is an important step towards achieving our goal of becoming a leading supplier of solar grade silicon within the next three to five years. We also sincerely appreciate the
ongoing commitment from our initial investors and we look forward to leveraging their collective support to achieve our near-term goals."
The global market for solar grade silicon feedstock in 2006 was approximately $2.3 billion and is projected to grow to $10.4 billion by 2010. In constant short supply, polysilicon is the largest single cost component of most solar modules.
"Through its extensive pilot production line activities, 6N Silicon has begun to deliver on the tremendous promise of its technology to produce true solar grade silicon at a lower cost and with lower environmental impact," said Richard Kauffman, CEO of Good Energies. "Good Energies has a long and successful track record of working with renewable energy and energy efficiency companies and helping them to meet their full growth potential. We look forward to working with 6N Silicon's management to help them achieve their goals and to establish new customer relationships by leveraging our solar industry expertise and our international network with
solar PV manufacturers."
Friday, March 28, 2008
1366 Technologies Strives to Make Solar Compete With Coal
Lexington, Mass. – March 27, 2008 – 1366 Technologies, a new MIT start-up aiming to make silicon solar cells competitive with coal, today announced it has secured $12.4 million in a first round of financing co-led by North Bridge Venture Partners and Polaris Venture Partners.
MIT Professor, 1366 founder and CTO, Ely Sachs, noted that 1366 Technologies will be combining innovations in silicon cell architecture with manufacturing process improvements to bring multi-crystalline silicon solar cells to cost parity with coal-based electricity.
Sachs added, “The science is understood, the raw materials are abundant and the products work. All that is left to do is innovate in manufacturing and scale up volume production, and that’s just what we intend to do.” The company has just taken space in Lexington to build its pilot solar cell manufacturing facility.
1366 Technologies’ roadmap includes a new cell architecture that uses innovative, low-cost fabrication methods to increase the efficiency of multi-crystalline solar cells.
This architecture, developed at MIT, improves surface texture and metallization to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency by 25% (from 15 - 19%) while lowering costs.
1366 Technologies will partner with solar companies and government agencies, licensing its technology to accelerate the ongoing global transition to solar. In addition, the company plans to build industrial, 100 megawatt plants around the world.
“Once the pilot plant has proven itself, we’ll work with governments and energy agencies worldwide to build a string of factories,” said Carmichael Roberts, general partner at North Bridge Venture Partners, who is joining 1366 Technologies board of directors as chairman.
Also joining the board is Bob Metcalfe, general partner at Polaris Venture Partners, who added, “By driving down the cost-per-watt of silicon solar cells, 1366 Technologies will drive continued development of the solar industry.
Solar electricity will be central long term to meeting the world’s accelerating needs for cheap and clean energy.”
Professor Sachs previously invented the String ribbon™ wafer technology being commercialized at Evergreen Solar, a leading developer of solar energy products.
Both a founder and investor in 1366 Technologies, Sachs is taking a leave of absence from MIT to help build the company based on research developed at and licensed from MIT.
Sachs is joined by 1366 Technologies co-founder and investor, Frank van Mierlo, who serves as the company’s president.
Harvard Business School professor Joseph Lassiter rounds out the board of directors, all of whom hold degrees from MIT.
MIT Professor, 1366 founder and CTO, Ely Sachs, noted that 1366 Technologies will be combining innovations in silicon cell architecture with manufacturing process improvements to bring multi-crystalline silicon solar cells to cost parity with coal-based electricity.
Sachs added, “The science is understood, the raw materials are abundant and the products work. All that is left to do is innovate in manufacturing and scale up volume production, and that’s just what we intend to do.” The company has just taken space in Lexington to build its pilot solar cell manufacturing facility.
1366 Technologies’ roadmap includes a new cell architecture that uses innovative, low-cost fabrication methods to increase the efficiency of multi-crystalline solar cells.
This architecture, developed at MIT, improves surface texture and metallization to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency by 25% (from 15 - 19%) while lowering costs.
1366 Technologies will partner with solar companies and government agencies, licensing its technology to accelerate the ongoing global transition to solar. In addition, the company plans to build industrial, 100 megawatt plants around the world.
“Once the pilot plant has proven itself, we’ll work with governments and energy agencies worldwide to build a string of factories,” said Carmichael Roberts, general partner at North Bridge Venture Partners, who is joining 1366 Technologies board of directors as chairman.
Also joining the board is Bob Metcalfe, general partner at Polaris Venture Partners, who added, “By driving down the cost-per-watt of silicon solar cells, 1366 Technologies will drive continued development of the solar industry.
Solar electricity will be central long term to meeting the world’s accelerating needs for cheap and clean energy.”
Professor Sachs previously invented the String ribbon™ wafer technology being commercialized at Evergreen Solar, a leading developer of solar energy products.
Both a founder and investor in 1366 Technologies, Sachs is taking a leave of absence from MIT to help build the company based on research developed at and licensed from MIT.
Sachs is joined by 1366 Technologies co-founder and investor, Frank van Mierlo, who serves as the company’s president.
Harvard Business School professor Joseph Lassiter rounds out the board of directors, all of whom hold degrees from MIT.
Potential Replacement For Silicon Found
Research results from University of Maryland physicists show that graphene, a new material that combines aspects of semiconductors and metals, could be a leading candidate to replace silicon in applications ranging from high-speed computer chips to biochemical sensors.The research, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and published online in the journal Nature Nanotechnolgy, reveals that graphene conducts electricity at room temperature with less intrinsic resistance than any other known material.
"Graphene is one of the materials being considered as a potential replacement of silicon for future computing," said NSF Program Manager Charles Ying. "The recent results obtained by the University of Maryland scientists provide directions to achieve high-electron speed in graphene near room temperature, which is critically important for practical applications."
Intrinsic resistance results from the unavoidable lattice vibrations in a material when the temperature is greater than absolute zero. The intrinsic resistance determines a material's mobility, or the speed at which an electrons move when an electric field is applied to the material. The very high mobility of graphene makes it promising for applications in which transistors must switch extremely fast, such as in the processing of extremely high frequency signals. If other extrinsic factors that limit mobility in graphene, such as impurities and lattice vibrations in the substrate on which graphene sits, could be eliminated, the intrinsic mobility in graphene would be higher than any other known material, and more than 100 times higher than silicon.
Graphene is also a very promising material for chemical and biochemical sensing applications in which an electrical signal from, for instance, a molecule adsorbed on the sensing device, is translated into an electrical signal by changing the conductivity of the device. The low resistivity and extremely thin nature of graphene also holds promise for applications in thin, mechanically tough, electrically conducting transparent films. Such films are sorely needed in a variety of electronics applications, from touch screens to photovoltaic cells.
Principal investigator Michael Fuhrer of the University of Maryland's Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials and the Maryland NanoCenter, said the electrical current in graphene is carried by only a few electrons moving much faster than the electrons in a metal like silver. "Our current samples of graphene are fairly 'dirty' due to some extraneous sources of resistivity," Fuhrer said. "Once we remove that dirt, graphene, at room temperature, should have about 35 percent less resistivity than silver, the lowest resistivity material known at room temperature."
Solar Semiconductor Announces Strategic Partnership With IBC SOLAR AG
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - March 28, 2008) - Solar Semiconductor, a rapidly growing producer of high-quality photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced a strategic partnership with IBC SOLAR AG, a premium distributor and Systems Integrator of Solar PV products in Europe. This strategic partnership is valued at over $575 million (US dollars) over the next three years.A Win-Win partnership for Solar Semiconductor and IBC SOLAR AG
"Solar Semiconductor is known for its high-quality PV modules and has a strong presence in European as well as other international markets. Offering high-quality products has been the key differentiator for IBC SOLAR.AG. So it is a natural synergy for these two companies to come together in a mutually-beneficial partnership," said Mr. Nava Akkineni, executive vice president at Solar Semiconductor.
"We have been growing rapidly in recent years and will continue that growth in the coming years. So it is essential for IBC SOLAR AG that we have a stable supplier of high-quality modules, whose growth plans and product road map align well with our own growth plans and requirements. In Solar Semiconductor, we have found a strong partner willing to listen and respond to varying requirements of our customers," commented Mr. Christian Lieberth, vice president purchasing & product management of IBC SOLAR AG.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
ProLogis And Southern California Edison Partner on Rooftop Solar Project
DENVER, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ProLogis (NYSE: PLD), the world's largest owner, manager and developer of distribution facilities, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to lease roof space to Southern California Edison (SCE), the largest electric utility in California, as a part of the utility's new solar power program.In the initial phase of this program, the utility will lease 607,000 square feet of roof space at ProLogis' Kaiser Distribution Park in Fontana, California. The area will be used to install and maintain solar panels with the potential to generate enough electricity to power 1,426 households for one year. At the conclusion of the start-up phase, which will include five to 10 additional installations and is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, the utility will launch its full renewable energy project, aiming to complete 50 megawatts (MW) of solar panel installations each year for a total of 250 MW -- the largest U.S. facility of its kind. Each individual
installation is expected to comprise one to two megawatts.
"This project has the potential to become a breakthrough solar energy program," said Jeffrey H. Schwartz, ProLogis chairman and chief executive officer. "We are thrilled to partner with SCE on their first rooftop solar installation and look forward to providing additional roof space as the
project gains momentum, which will in turn support our own sustainability goals and leverage existing assets."
All energy harnessed from the installation will flow into the neighboring electrical grid and help meet Southern California's energy needs. As the largest industrial owner and developer in Southern California, ProLogis has the capability to support SCE's ongoing requirements and will help to fulfill the program's need for vast amounts of roof space -- the company owns 180 distribution facilities in SCE's territory comprising more than 41 million square feet, the majority of which are eligible for SCE's program.
ProLogis also has a total of one megawatt of solar panel projects installed or under development in Europe. At ProLogis Park Chanteloup in France the company has installed roof-mounted solar panels, generating electricity that is incorporated back into the local French utility power grid. In Spain, at ProLogis Park Penedes, the company installed state-of-the-art, amorphous silicon solar panels that produce electricity using a wider spectrum of light than traditional crystalline technology, thus enabling maximum output.
"Our experience to date in France and Spain has shown that we can effectively use rooftop solar panels to generate environmentally conscious, renewable energy, meeting the needs of local communities while also enhancing the return on investment from our properties," said Jack Rizzo, managing director of global construction at ProLogis. "Our agreement with SCE is the first of its kind in the United States and lays the groundwork for similar programs throughout the country. With more than 500 million square feet of roof space worldwide, we see continued potential in harnessing the power of solar energy from our rooftops."
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
FPL Energy Plans California Solar Energy Facility
JUNO BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FPL Energy, LLC, (NYSE:FPL) already the country’s leading generator of wind and solar thermal power, announced today an important step in its strategy to add significantly to its solar power generating capability.FPL Energy, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, has filed an Application for Certification with the California Energy Commission (CEC) to construct, own and operate a 250-megawatt solar plant in the Mojave Desert to be called the Beacon Solar Energy Project.
FPL Energy’s solar generation strategy centers on utilizing proven and scalable parabolic trough solar thermal technology that has been used commercially for more than 20 years. FPL Energy has nearly 20 years of experience operating similar technology at its SEGS solar thermal facilities in the Mojave Desert.
As first announced at the Clinton Global Initiative last September, FPL Group, the parent company of FPL Energy, is committed to and plans to invest significantly in new solar generating facilities over the next several years.
FPL Energy has set a goal of adding at least 600 megawatts of new solar by 2015. FPL Energy has already identified 1,100 megawatts of new solar sites and has leased, optioned or owns outright a significant amount of land in the west and southwest U.S.
“FPL Energy is a leader in producing energy from clean and renewable sources,” said Mitch Davidson, president of FPL Energy. “At a time of rising and volatile fossil-fuel costs and increasing concerns about greenhouse gases, solar electricity can have a meaningful impact in reducing carbon dioxide emissions that scientists believe contribute to global warming. We believe that solar power has similar long-term potential as wind energy, and we are well positioned to play a leading role in the growth of this renewable technology.”
The proposed Beacon Solar Energy Project will be located on an approximately 2,000 acre site in eastern Kern County, California. The more than 500,000 parabolic mirrors will be assembled in rows to receive and concentrate the solar energy to produce steam for powering a steam turbine generator. The generator will produce electric power for delivery to the nearby electric grid.
FPL Energy expects to begin construction on the project late in 2009 and take approximately two years to complete. Once complete, the project will have little air or water emissions.
The recently filed Application for Certification with the CEC is the latest example of FPL Energy’s leadership and commitment to renewable energy generation. In addition to being the largest operator of solar power in the U.S. with 310 megawatts, FPL Energy is also the largest owner and operator of wind power in the country with more than 5,000 megawatts currently in operation. FPL Energy subsidiaries also currently own and operate nearly 700 megawatts of wind in California.
FPL Energy is a leading competitive energy supplier utilizing clean fuels such as natural gas, wind, solar, hydroelectric and nuclear to generate electricity. It is the nation’s leader in wind energy, with 56 wind facilities in operation in 16 states. It is a subsidiary of FPL Group, (NYSE:FPL) one of the nation's largest providers of electricity-related services with annual revenues of over $15 billion. FPL Group's rate-regulated subsidiary is Florida Power & Light Company, one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida. Additional information is available at www.FPLEnergy.com, www.FPLGroup.com and www.FPL.com.
Sony Pictures Commissions 235kW Solar Rooftop Installation
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EI Solutions, the systems integration arm of Energy Innovations, Inc., today announced the commissioning of a 235kW solar electricity system constructed for Sony Pictures Entertainment at its historic studio lot in Culver City, California. The system was designed and built by EI Solutions using 1120 solar panels that were installed on the rooftop of the Jimmy Stewart Building. Construction of the project began in October 2007 and the solar energy generated from the installation will be used to help offset electricity needs at offices located on the Sony Pictures lot.The pilot solar electricity system was announced last September during groundbreaking ceremonies with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at Sony Pictures for a building project on the studio lot. The new facilities currently under construction are being built according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines established by the U.S. Green Building Council in order to help combat climate change and conserve natural resources. The project is expected to be completed in 2009.
“Sony Pictures is committed to doing our part to protect the environment for future generations, and to reduce our ecological footprint by pursuing sustainable policies that combat climate change and protect the health and safety of our community,” said Jon Corcoran, Vice President of Corporate Safety and Environmental Affairs, Sony Pictures Entertainment. “We are pleased to be working with EI Solutions, one of the real leaders in its field, on this pilot solar electricity system as part of our effort to conserve natural resources.”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Sony Pictures Entertainment to bring clean, green solar electricity to help power their studio operations,” said Andrew Beebe, president of EI Solutions. “Solar energy is a great fit for companies like Sony that are committed to embracing energy alternatives that provide sound environmental benefits in an economically sound manner. We look forward to working with Sony Pictures on future initiatives and hope that the studio’s leadership will encourage other companies to find ways to use renewable energy.”
Solarmer Energy Appoints New VP
EL MONTE, CA--(Marketwire - March 26, 2008) - Solarmer Energy, Inc., a developer of flexible, translucent plastic solar cells, today announced that Dina Lozofsky has joined the company as the Vice President of Intellectual Property Development and Strategic Alliances. Ms. Lozofsky joins Solarmer with more than 10 years experience in intellectual property (IP) management and in leveraging IP to structure strategic alliances for both companies and universities.This addition to Solarmer's management team comes as Solarmer transitions into the fully operational R&D phase of its growth. The company's near term goal is to demonstrate a commercial grade prototype of its proprietary technology in 18 months. This prototype will demonstrate 8% efficiency and 3+ years lifetime in a solar cell that is at least 50 sq. centimeters.
"We have spent the last 12 months growing the company's product development team and developing our technology roadmap. It is time to ensure that there is full time stewardship of the important IP portfolio we have been developing," said Woolas Hsieh, founder and President of Solarmer.
Ms. Lozofsky will also be responsible for developing strategic partnerships for the company. These partnerships will be crucial to providing Solarmer with certain key technologies and product development support that, when combined with the company's core competency in device engineering, will result in a shorter time to market.
"Dina's expertise in IP and building relationships around IP will round out the operational, managerial, and manufacturing expertise of the current team," stated Edward Chen, CEO of Solarmer. "We are looking forward to working with her to take the company to the next stage."
Ms. Lozofsky received her BSc in Aerospace Engineering from MIT, her MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is a registered Patent Agent. Prior to joining Solarmer, she was the Director of Technology Commercialization at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA and an Associate Vice President in the Semiconductors & Optoelectronics Group at BTG International, whose mission was to develop and commercialize innovative technologies invented at universities, national labs, and corporations.
Asola Lands $20 Million Deal
IRVINE, Calif., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) today announced that its German solar partner, Asola Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH, has won a $20 million contract from Krannich Solar, for the supply of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic solar modules. Krannich Solar, which is one of the largest solar system providers in Europe, will take delivery of Asola's high quality products in 2008.
"Asola is pleased to receive this award from Krannich Solar," commented Asola's founder and CEO, Reinhard Wecker. "Krannich is a tremendous European company, and home to the major leading brands in the industry. We are honored to join the ranks of world-leading premier solar module manufacturers."
Quantum has recently announced acquisition of a 25% stake in Asola, and also a long-term supply agreement with Ersol Solar Energy AG for the procurement of 155 MW of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic solar cells, starting in 2008. The Ersol agreement guarantees a supply of solar cells to Quantum and Asola, thereby avoiding any potential future disruptions due to
polysilicon shortages, as have been recently experienced by the solar cell industry. Resulting sales from the supply agreement with Ersol are anticipated to generate in excess of US $500 million for Asola and Quantum.
"The European solar industry demands the best, and we are pleased by the high confidence shown by our customers in Asola's technology leadership, high reliability and manufacturing quality," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "Demand for Asola's high-quality solar modules continues to grow in the expanding renewable energy markets
in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. We believe that Quantum and Asola are well-positioned to meet this demand in Europe as well as to capitalize on the opportunities in California and the rest of North America."
"Asola is pleased to receive this award from Krannich Solar," commented Asola's founder and CEO, Reinhard Wecker. "Krannich is a tremendous European company, and home to the major leading brands in the industry. We are honored to join the ranks of world-leading premier solar module manufacturers."
Quantum has recently announced acquisition of a 25% stake in Asola, and also a long-term supply agreement with Ersol Solar Energy AG for the procurement of 155 MW of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic solar cells, starting in 2008. The Ersol agreement guarantees a supply of solar cells to Quantum and Asola, thereby avoiding any potential future disruptions due to
polysilicon shortages, as have been recently experienced by the solar cell industry. Resulting sales from the supply agreement with Ersol are anticipated to generate in excess of US $500 million for Asola and Quantum.
"The European solar industry demands the best, and we are pleased by the high confidence shown by our customers in Asola's technology leadership, high reliability and manufacturing quality," said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. "Demand for Asola's high-quality solar modules continues to grow in the expanding renewable energy markets
in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. We believe that Quantum and Asola are well-positioned to meet this demand in Europe as well as to capitalize on the opportunities in California and the rest of North America."
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hoku Solar Announces Deal With Major Hawaiian Beer Distributor
KAPOLEI, HI--(Marketwire - March 24, 2008) - Hoku Solar, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hoku Scientific, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOKU), established to design, engineer and install photovoltaic (PV) power systems, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with Paradise Beverages, Inc. to install a PV power system at its Oahu facility. Hoku Solar had previously completed the installation of two turnkey PV power systems for Paradise Beverages at its Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and Lihue, Kauai, facilities.Paradise Beverages is the Hawaii distributor for Heineken, Coors and Miller products, and it consumes a significant amount of electricity to operate its refrigerated and temperature-controlled warehouses. Upon completion of the Oahu facility installation, the aggregate of all three PV power systems for Paradise Beverages includes 350 kilowatts of PV panels, which are expected to produce over 525,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
"The benefits of our PV power system installations on our Kailua-Kona and Lihue facilities were immediate. This made our decision for an installation on our Oahu facility with Hoku Solar an easy one," said Gordon Usui, Chief Financial Officer for Paradise Beverages.
PV systems are a sensible way to utilize unused roof space to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. Hoku Solar offers turnkey PV solutions in Hawaii, providing design, engineering, financing, and installation services.
Solar Power Inc. Sees 400% Revenue Growth In Q4
ROSEVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Power, Inc. (OTCBB:SOPW), a vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules and marketer, designer and installer of PV solar electric systems for commercial, public and residential customers in the United States today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.
“We continued to experience solid growth as evidenced by our ability to win new business and deliver measureable revenue growth during our first year of full operations,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, Inc. “Our 2007 revenue more than quadrupled the prior year. The pipeline of business opportunities remains strong as we continue to expand our commercial and residential customer base,” added Mr. Kircher. "Backed by the expertise of an experienced, diverse and complete management team, we are well positioned to capitalize on what we believe is the beginning of a long-term, secular growth opportunity in solar energy.” Mr. Kircher concluded, “Our established brand and vertically integrated model, coupled with the introduction of our YES! Solar Solutions franchise provides multiple avenues for growth in the coming years."
Recent Company Highlights:
* For the full year of 2007 revenues increased 314% to $18.1 Million
* In December 2007, completed a private placement with net proceeds of approximately $11 million.
* Added key senior management creating one of the strongest teams in the industry
* China factory produced initial 2 1/2 megawatts with very high process yields
* Completed several installations of both commercial and residential systems
* In March, 2008 executed the first Yes! Solar Solutions franchise agreement to serve Orange County, CA. The franchise business is a cornerstone for further expansion of growth.
* Completed engineering designs and began wind testing of the Skymount racking system and have other proprietary products under development.
Fourth Quarter of 2007 Results:
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $4.7 million, an increase of 224%, compared to $1.5 million in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2006. Growth in the fourth quarter reflects higher volume of commercial and residential installations.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter 2007 was $354 thousand, or 7.5% of sales, compared to $208 thousand, or 14.3% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2006. On a year-over-year basis, the decline in gross margin reflects costs associated with building manufacturing and installation infrastructure.
Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2007 grew to $3 million (64% of sales) compared to $1.9 million (130% of sales) for the same period last year as the company significantly expanded its infrastructure during the year to support its growth plans. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $2.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million, in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Year End 2007 Results:
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the company reported net sales of $18.1 million, an increase of 314% over net sales of $4.4 million for 2006. Gross profit was $2.1 million, or 11.7% of sales compared to gross profit of $1.5 million, or 33.9% of sales in 2006. The decrease in the gross profit margin reflects costs associated with building manufacturing and installation infrastructure.
Operating expenses were $9.4 million or 52% of sales, compared to $3.5 million or 80% of sales for 2006. Net loss for 2007 was $7.2 million, or $0.22 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, in 2006.
Balance Sheet:
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2007 were $6.8 million. Common shares outstanding at December 31, 2007 were 37,523,263. Accounts receivable were $5.4 million and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings were $2.2 million at year end. Inventory grew to $6.9 million as we placed nearly a megawatt of solar panels into inventory in the 4th quarter.
2008 Guidance:
The Company previously issued revenue guidance of $60 million for 2008. On March 17th, 2008, the Company announced that the Santa Rosa City School District (“SRCSD”) deferred a vote on whether to proceed with a project designed to place more than 3 megawatts of on-site solar electricity production at 10 of the district’s 30 schools. The SRCSD contract represents a component of Solar Power’s 2008 guidance and the SRCSD Board is set to vote on an amended contract this week. Depending on the outcome, the company will update revenue guidance, if necessary.
Conference Call Information:
The conference call will take place at 4:30pm EDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Interested participants should call 1-800-762-7141 when calling within the United States or 1-480-248-5081 when calling internationally.
A playback will be available through April 1, 2008. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or 1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 3856063 for the replay.
This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00004C96, or visiting www.solarpowerinc.net, or at ViaVid's website at www.viavid.net, where the webcast can be accessed through April 1, 2008.
“We continued to experience solid growth as evidenced by our ability to win new business and deliver measureable revenue growth during our first year of full operations,” said Steve Kircher, CEO of Solar Power, Inc. “Our 2007 revenue more than quadrupled the prior year. The pipeline of business opportunities remains strong as we continue to expand our commercial and residential customer base,” added Mr. Kircher. "Backed by the expertise of an experienced, diverse and complete management team, we are well positioned to capitalize on what we believe is the beginning of a long-term, secular growth opportunity in solar energy.” Mr. Kircher concluded, “Our established brand and vertically integrated model, coupled with the introduction of our YES! Solar Solutions franchise provides multiple avenues for growth in the coming years."
Recent Company Highlights:
* For the full year of 2007 revenues increased 314% to $18.1 Million
* In December 2007, completed a private placement with net proceeds of approximately $11 million.
* Added key senior management creating one of the strongest teams in the industry
* China factory produced initial 2 1/2 megawatts with very high process yields
* Completed several installations of both commercial and residential systems
* In March, 2008 executed the first Yes! Solar Solutions franchise agreement to serve Orange County, CA. The franchise business is a cornerstone for further expansion of growth.
* Completed engineering designs and began wind testing of the Skymount racking system and have other proprietary products under development.
Fourth Quarter of 2007 Results:
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $4.7 million, an increase of 224%, compared to $1.5 million in net sales in the fourth quarter of 2006. Growth in the fourth quarter reflects higher volume of commercial and residential installations.
Gross profit for the fourth quarter 2007 was $354 thousand, or 7.5% of sales, compared to $208 thousand, or 14.3% of sales, in the fourth quarter of 2006. On a year-over-year basis, the decline in gross margin reflects costs associated with building manufacturing and installation infrastructure.
Operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2007 grew to $3 million (64% of sales) compared to $1.9 million (130% of sales) for the same period last year as the company significantly expanded its infrastructure during the year to support its growth plans. Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $2.7 million, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million, in the fourth quarter of 2006.
Year End 2007 Results:
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the company reported net sales of $18.1 million, an increase of 314% over net sales of $4.4 million for 2006. Gross profit was $2.1 million, or 11.7% of sales compared to gross profit of $1.5 million, or 33.9% of sales in 2006. The decrease in the gross profit margin reflects costs associated with building manufacturing and installation infrastructure.
Operating expenses were $9.4 million or 52% of sales, compared to $3.5 million or 80% of sales for 2006. Net loss for 2007 was $7.2 million, or $0.22 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.1 million, or $0.11 per basic and diluted share, in 2006.
Balance Sheet:
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2007 were $6.8 million. Common shares outstanding at December 31, 2007 were 37,523,263. Accounts receivable were $5.4 million and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings were $2.2 million at year end. Inventory grew to $6.9 million as we placed nearly a megawatt of solar panels into inventory in the 4th quarter.
2008 Guidance:
The Company previously issued revenue guidance of $60 million for 2008. On March 17th, 2008, the Company announced that the Santa Rosa City School District (“SRCSD”) deferred a vote on whether to proceed with a project designed to place more than 3 megawatts of on-site solar electricity production at 10 of the district’s 30 schools. The SRCSD contract represents a component of Solar Power’s 2008 guidance and the SRCSD Board is set to vote on an amended contract this week. Depending on the outcome, the company will update revenue guidance, if necessary.
Conference Call Information:
The conference call will take place at 4:30pm EDT on Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Interested participants should call 1-800-762-7141 when calling within the United States or 1-480-248-5081 when calling internationally.
A playback will be available through April 1, 2008. To listen, please call 1-800-406-7325 within the United States or 1-303-590-3030 when calling internationally. Utilize the pass code 3856063 for the replay.
This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed by clicking on this link http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00004C96, or visiting www.solarpowerinc.net, or at ViaVid's website at www.viavid.net, where the webcast can be accessed through April 1, 2008.
AES and Riverstone Launch Solar Joint Venture; Target $1 Billion Investment
ARLINGTON, Va. & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) and Riverstone Holdings LLC today announced that they have committed up to $1 billion as part of a new joint venture to develop a global platform of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Under terms of the agreement, AES, one of the world’s largest global power companies, and Riverstone, a New York-based energy and power-focused private equity firm, will each provide up to $500 million of capital over five years to invest in PV solar projects around the world.The jointly owned entity, to be called AES Solar, will seek to become a leading global developer, owner and operator of utility-scale solar installations that will be connected to the power grids that supply homes and businesses. These installations, ranging from fewer than two to more than 50 megawatts in size, will consist of land-based solar PV panels that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, feeding the power grid directly.
The business will follow the traditional independent power producer and wind business growth models by initially focusing on developments and projects in those countries offering the most attractive tariffs. As the costs of both PV panels and installation come down, AES Solar will look to expand into other countries with appropriate market incentives, with the goal of “grid parity” – being competitive with conventional fuels.
“Renewable energy is an increasingly significant part of AES’s overall portfolio and currently accounts for 20 percent of our global generation capacity,” said Paul Hanrahan, AES President and Chief Executive Officer. “Solar is a natural extension of our business, much as wind generation has been, and we see tremendous opportunity for growth in this market. We look forward to partnering with Riverstone in this joint venture, to make solar power a viable energy source worldwide.”
Ralph Alexander, a Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings, said, “Because of its scale, this joint venture has the potential to change the fundamental economics of solar power. We are excited about partnering with AES, which we recognize as a world-class partner. The timing is right for this project given the spread of renewable power standards around the world, high energy prices and the continued progress of the solar photovoltaics industry to improve performance and reduce costs. Together, these trends present a substantial opportunity to create value and meet the world’s growing demand for clean energy.”
The joint venture will be managed by a seven-member board of directors. Three directors each will be appointed by AES and Riverstone. Robert Hemphill will serve as President and CEO and the seventh member of the board. Mr. Hemphill joined AES in 1981 and has held a series of senior leadership positions, including serving as AES's Executive Vice President of Global Development. He also served as a member of the AES Board of Directors for seven years.
Clear Skies Group Partners With SGFP On Solar Living Project
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Skies Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Skies Solar, Inc. (OTCBB:CSKH), today announced a partnership with SGFP 2 LLC, a SmartGrowth Opportunity Fund, LLC company ("SGFP"), to provide solar power to the real estate investment fund’s active-living community project in DeKalb County, Georgia, located outside of Atlanta.Under the $6,500,000 agreement, Clear Skies will provide a 900kW solar power generation facility, which is expected to save community residents approximately 80% on their anticipated utility costs.
Contingent on obtaining financing, the project is in the final stages of permitting. Construction, anticipated to commence in early 2009, will consist of two phases. The first phase will include construction of a 330kW installation with the capacity to serve 55 ranch-style town homes. Phase Two will incorporate another 570kW to serve an additional 95 town homes.
“CSG is proud to work with forward-thinking home developers like SGFP to bring the benefits of solar energy to homeowners who are concerned about rising energy costs and a cleaner environment,” said Ezra Green, Chairman and CEO of Clear Skies Solar. “We recognize that solar energy will play an integral role in the future of the global energy market and applaud companies like SGFP that are helping us to make great strides in bringing solar to the masses in the form of sustainable and eco-friendly communities. Like SGFP, CSG is committed to the concept of ‘smart growth’ and to achieving the highest-quality living experience for its residents.”
Monday, March 24, 2008
Octillion Makes Major Advance in Solar Energy Producing Windows
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Octillion Corp. (OTCBB: OCTL), an alternative energy technology incubator, today announced efforts to streamline the deposition of silicon nanoparticles on to glass, an important process in development of the Company’s NanoPower Window technology, a novel transparent window capable of generating electricity.
For the first time, while following previously established protocols for producing lab-scale prototypes, a traditionally time-consuming and cumbersome process for depositing nanoparticles on to glass has been successfully replaced with a faster, more cost-effective, commercially-available deposition technology. Octillion’s NanoPower Window technology employs silicon nanoparticles that have the potential to enable conventional home, office and industrial glass windows to convert solar energy into electricity.
“This advancement allows us to speed-up one of the most important steps in development of our NanoPower Window technology, and certainly helps better prepare for the transition from the lab towards larger-scale testing and production,” explained Mr. Nicholas S. Cucinelli, President and CEO of Octillion Corp. “This new ability to integrate off-the-shelf components in the deposition process is promising and indicative of a path towards building a lower-cost production technology.”
To date, manually-constructed, purpose-built, custom electrospray system elements have been used for depositing nanoparticles on glass substrates. Now these critical mechanical components have been successfully replaced with less costly commercial components, conventionally limited to use in the manufacture of powerful, high-sensitivity chemical analytics instruments.
In the months ahead, the Company plans to further refine its proprietary electrospray system, enhance quality control and consistent replication of lab-scale samples, and continue efforts to identify, evaluate and acquire additional strategic, enabling, and complementary technologies.
For the first time, while following previously established protocols for producing lab-scale prototypes, a traditionally time-consuming and cumbersome process for depositing nanoparticles on to glass has been successfully replaced with a faster, more cost-effective, commercially-available deposition technology. Octillion’s NanoPower Window technology employs silicon nanoparticles that have the potential to enable conventional home, office and industrial glass windows to convert solar energy into electricity.
“This advancement allows us to speed-up one of the most important steps in development of our NanoPower Window technology, and certainly helps better prepare for the transition from the lab towards larger-scale testing and production,” explained Mr. Nicholas S. Cucinelli, President and CEO of Octillion Corp. “This new ability to integrate off-the-shelf components in the deposition process is promising and indicative of a path towards building a lower-cost production technology.”
To date, manually-constructed, purpose-built, custom electrospray system elements have been used for depositing nanoparticles on glass substrates. Now these critical mechanical components have been successfully replaced with less costly commercial components, conventionally limited to use in the manufacture of powerful, high-sensitivity chemical analytics instruments.
In the months ahead, the Company plans to further refine its proprietary electrospray system, enhance quality control and consistent replication of lab-scale samples, and continue efforts to identify, evaluate and acquire additional strategic, enabling, and complementary technologies.
Sunovia and EPIR Announce Agreement with the Army Research Laboratory & BAE Systems
SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sunovia Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: SUNV) and EPIR Technologies, Inc. (EPIR) are pleased to announce the establishment of a joint cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and BAE Systems (BAE).
Sunovia and EPIR have exclusively partnered to commercialize solar and infrared (IR) technologies for the renewable energy and night vision markets. IR and solar technologies are very similar, with IR being a much more precise and complex science. IR devices absorb non-visible light, convert the light to electricity and then ‘pixelize’ the electricity to create an image; while solar devices absorb visible light, convert the light to electricity and then store (or spend) the electricity. EPIR’s superior IR expertise is allowing them to transfer IR technology directly into the development of advanced next generation solar cells. The companies are working to combine numerous IR and solar II-VI material layers in order to achieve maximum light absorption from the different light intensities and different light spectra.
Sunovia is the exclusive marketer of all products, technologies and intellectual properties that are developed by EPIR, and currently owns a significant equity interest in EPIR. EPIR is a world leader in research and development for materials and devices related to IR detection and imaging utilized in night vision, missile tracking, exploration in space and other applications. In particular, EPIR and the Microphysics Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago, both under the leadership of Dr. Siva Sivananthan, the president of EPIR, have pioneered the growth of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) for over 20 years. MCT is the leading material for IR detection and imaging and is one of the most important semiconductors along with silicon (Si) and gallium arsenide in terms of worldwide investment.
The current state-of-the-art MCT materials are typically grown on bulk cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) substrates using a technique called liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). The bulk CdZnTe substrates are very expensive, have limited scalability, and are very fragile. As a result, the overall materials cost becomes expensive and processing yields are low. This also restricts the scalability of the array form factor and creates a technology barrier to the manufacture of wide angle panoramic IR cameras, which are essential for the U.S. night vision surveillance capability.
The CRADA is designed to develop EPIR’s MCT process on more commercially viable and scalable Si substrates. This CRADA resulted from a long-term collaboration between EPIR and ARL under the leadership of Dr. Herbert Pollehn, deputy director of the Army’s Electro-Optics and Photonics Division. Dr. Pollehn said, “EPIR is focused on developing MBE MCT materials technology on Si substrates, and the CRADA offers an opportunity to bring a government laboratory and BAE Systems, a large defense contractor, together with EPIR to develop this scalable and low-cost technology. This technology will enable large format IR focal plane array development, which is necessary for the Army to dominate the night. The CRADA also infuses a synergy to rapidly transition critical technology to the manufacturers and back into the hands of the warfighters.”
The CRADA is to qualify MCT material grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at EPIR for use in the production of IR detectors and read-out integrated circuit chips for IR cameras by BAE Systems. BAE Systems is a supplier of high performance IR detectors and imagers to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and to civilian customers. Their current IR technology is based on material grown by the conventional LPE technology. Most future high performance IR detectors and imagers will require the precise material control and reproducibility at an atomic level that is offered only by MBE technology.
Specifically, the CRADA is designed to insert test samples of MCT material grown by MBE at EPIR into the production line at BAE Systems and to evaluate and optimize the material and processing, based on device performance results. EPIR will grow and completely characterize and document the material and its growth parameters. ARL will perform any device processing unique to MBE grown material that BAE Systems is not now equipped to do. BAE Systems will insert the material received from ARL into its production line and characterize the performance of the completed devices. Both the growth and the processing will be optimized to obtain maximum device performance and EPIR will develop specifications for its material based on the device characterizations to be performed by BAE Systems. The companies plan to utilize the CRADA to become a major U.S. supplier of MBE grown MCT to BAE Systems for IR detector and focal plane array production and for the ARL processing technology to be transferred to BAE Systems. This will be an important step in Sunovia’s goal of becoming the primary supplier of MCT material to the entire defense industry – a goal which they believe is already well underway.
Sunovia and EPIR have exclusively partnered to commercialize solar and infrared (IR) technologies for the renewable energy and night vision markets. IR and solar technologies are very similar, with IR being a much more precise and complex science. IR devices absorb non-visible light, convert the light to electricity and then ‘pixelize’ the electricity to create an image; while solar devices absorb visible light, convert the light to electricity and then store (or spend) the electricity. EPIR’s superior IR expertise is allowing them to transfer IR technology directly into the development of advanced next generation solar cells. The companies are working to combine numerous IR and solar II-VI material layers in order to achieve maximum light absorption from the different light intensities and different light spectra.
Sunovia is the exclusive marketer of all products, technologies and intellectual properties that are developed by EPIR, and currently owns a significant equity interest in EPIR. EPIR is a world leader in research and development for materials and devices related to IR detection and imaging utilized in night vision, missile tracking, exploration in space and other applications. In particular, EPIR and the Microphysics Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago, both under the leadership of Dr. Siva Sivananthan, the president of EPIR, have pioneered the growth of mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) for over 20 years. MCT is the leading material for IR detection and imaging and is one of the most important semiconductors along with silicon (Si) and gallium arsenide in terms of worldwide investment.
The current state-of-the-art MCT materials are typically grown on bulk cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) substrates using a technique called liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). The bulk CdZnTe substrates are very expensive, have limited scalability, and are very fragile. As a result, the overall materials cost becomes expensive and processing yields are low. This also restricts the scalability of the array form factor and creates a technology barrier to the manufacture of wide angle panoramic IR cameras, which are essential for the U.S. night vision surveillance capability.
The CRADA is designed to develop EPIR’s MCT process on more commercially viable and scalable Si substrates. This CRADA resulted from a long-term collaboration between EPIR and ARL under the leadership of Dr. Herbert Pollehn, deputy director of the Army’s Electro-Optics and Photonics Division. Dr. Pollehn said, “EPIR is focused on developing MBE MCT materials technology on Si substrates, and the CRADA offers an opportunity to bring a government laboratory and BAE Systems, a large defense contractor, together with EPIR to develop this scalable and low-cost technology. This technology will enable large format IR focal plane array development, which is necessary for the Army to dominate the night. The CRADA also infuses a synergy to rapidly transition critical technology to the manufacturers and back into the hands of the warfighters.”
The CRADA is to qualify MCT material grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at EPIR for use in the production of IR detectors and read-out integrated circuit chips for IR cameras by BAE Systems. BAE Systems is a supplier of high performance IR detectors and imagers to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security and to civilian customers. Their current IR technology is based on material grown by the conventional LPE technology. Most future high performance IR detectors and imagers will require the precise material control and reproducibility at an atomic level that is offered only by MBE technology.
Specifically, the CRADA is designed to insert test samples of MCT material grown by MBE at EPIR into the production line at BAE Systems and to evaluate and optimize the material and processing, based on device performance results. EPIR will grow and completely characterize and document the material and its growth parameters. ARL will perform any device processing unique to MBE grown material that BAE Systems is not now equipped to do. BAE Systems will insert the material received from ARL into its production line and characterize the performance of the completed devices. Both the growth and the processing will be optimized to obtain maximum device performance and EPIR will develop specifications for its material based on the device characterizations to be performed by BAE Systems. The companies plan to utilize the CRADA to become a major U.S. supplier of MBE grown MCT to BAE Systems for IR detector and focal plane array production and for the ARL processing technology to be transferred to BAE Systems. This will be an important step in Sunovia’s goal of becoming the primary supplier of MCT material to the entire defense industry – a goal which they believe is already well underway.
AquaCell Opens Mexican Market to Solar AC
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA--(Marketwire - March 24, 2008) - AquaCell Technologies, Inc. doing business as GreenCore Technology (PINKSHEETS: AQUA) announced today that it has commenced sales of its solar powered air conditioner in the Baja region of Mexico through an exclusive distributorship agreement with Common Sense Energy ("CSE"). CSE is a pioneer and leader in the solar installation industry having installed photo-voltaic systems throughout the United States and Mexico."We are excited to be able to sell what I believe is one of the most revolutionary products to be introduced to the alternative energy market," said Paul Munoz, President of CSE. "The Green Core solar air conditioner efficiently utilizes and capitalizes on solar energy, making it ideal for the numerous potential customers we have cultivated over the years in the Baja region."
Mr. Munoz concluded, "We believe we will be able to meet our commitment to purchase more than $15 million of GreenCore solar air conditioners required to maintain our exclusivity in the first year."
AquaCell's exclusive three-year agreement with CSE requires that a minimum of 5000 GreenCore solar powered air conditioners be purchased by CSE in the first year in order to maintain exclusivity, with escalating minimum purchase requirements in subsequent years.
Mexico's Baja region is one of the fastest growing areas of the country, yet has an unreliable electric grid. The distribution of the GreenCore's solar powered "off-the-grid" air conditioner in the Baja region will provide a positive impact for the environment through the potential reduction of the carbon footprint, and for the economy through the creation of jobs for local installation and service providers.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Hole in the Wall Enterprises Completes Solar Project
ALAMOSA, CO--(Marketwire - March 21, 2008) - Hole in the Wall Enterprises, based in Alamosa, Colorado, has just completed an 8.6kW solar electric system installation. Astralux Power Systems provided design, engineering, and installation services for this solar project.Owned by Darin and Regina Curley, Hole in the Wall will now run completely on solar energy, as 100% of their electricity needs are met by this solar power system. This commercial system is comprised of industry leading Sharp Solar Panels which will benefit from Colorado's 300-plus days of sunlight per year.
"We are proud to have Hole in the Wall Enterprises as our first commercial project in the city of Alamosa," says Dr. Rande Treece, CEO of Astralux. "We also commend Darin and Regina Curley for their efforts to create a truly green business with this 100% offset solar energy system."
The positive environmental impacts of this system are impressive. Over the warranted life of the system, it will offset over 500,000 pounds of CO2 (greenhouse) emissions and prevent over 250,000 pounds of coal being burned.
Utility rebates and federal tax credits and benefits will pay over 90% of the cost of this system. This is made possible by the incredible federal tax benefits available for commercial buildings and the Xcel Energy Solar Rewards program. This system will also save the Curleys tens of thousands of dollars in electricity costs and protect them against future increasing energy costs.
Pennsylvania Breaks Ground On Nation's 4th Largest Solar Project
FALLS TOWNSHIP, Pa., March 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell said multi-million-dollar renewable energy projects, like the solar electricity generation plant he helped break ground on today in Bucks County, reinforce Pennsylvania's leadership in one of the nation's fastest growing industries and highlight the potential for jobs and economic development.
"When this facility is up and running -- likely by September or October of this year -- it will be among the largest in the country, and certainly the largest east of Arizona," said Governor Rendell during groundbreaking ceremonies for the Exelon-EPURON Solar Center. "This project embodies the commitment we've made to renewable energy in the commonwealth.
"By enacting one of the nation's most ambitious alternative energy portfolio standards, investing our resources wisely, and leveraging our strengths, we've been able to attract exciting projects like this, along with some of the world's leading renewable energy companies, to
Pennsylvania."
The $20 million Exelon-EPURON Solar Center will feature 16,500 solar panels on a 16.5-acre tract of land adjacent to Waste Management's GROWS Landfill. Governor Rendell announced the project in August.
Upon completion, the solar plant will annually produce approximately 3,700 megawatt hours of power, which is enough to meet the energy requirements of approximately 400 homes. At this output, emission levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that directly contribute to pollution and acid rain will be reduced by the equivalent of planting 33 acres of trees every year or taking more than 440 cars off the road each year.
The facility is owned by EPURON LLC, a subsidiary of the world's largest solar integration company, Conergy AG, which has its North American headquarters in Pennsylvania. Another Pennsylvania-based Conergy subsidiary, Conergy Systems USA -- formerly SunTechnics -- will build the solar center.
"We are pleased to begin construction of the largest East Coast solar energy facility, and the fourth largest in the U.S.," said Arndt E. Lutz, EPURON general manager. "This project will be the first of many in Pennsylvania that will help meet the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard
that the commonwealth had the vision to implement. It is our goal to develop and build solar energy in Pennsylvania for many years to come. We would like to express our thanks to the Governor, state legislature, Exelon and Waste Management for making this project happen."
The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act requires that 18 percent of all energy generated in the state come from alternative and renewable sources by 2021, including 0.5 percent from solar. Approximately 850 megawatts of additional solar capacity are expected to be installed in the state by 2021.
Exelon Generation Company LLC made an important financial commitment to the project through a 20-year power purchase agreement for the energy produced, recognizing the environmental importance of solar energy, according to Kenneth Cornew, president of Exelon Power Team.
"Exelon recognizes the importance of minimizing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production," said Cornew. "We are an industry leader in this area. Our fleet emits less greenhouse gas than any other large electric generation company, but we all
need to do more to reduce our carbon footprint and meet America's future energy needs. This is why Exelon is proud to be a partner with the governor, the state legislature, EPURON, and Waste Management in bringing the benefits of one of the nation's largest solar power projects to
Pennsylvania and the region."
"When this facility is up and running -- likely by September or October of this year -- it will be among the largest in the country, and certainly the largest east of Arizona," said Governor Rendell during groundbreaking ceremonies for the Exelon-EPURON Solar Center. "This project embodies the commitment we've made to renewable energy in the commonwealth.
"By enacting one of the nation's most ambitious alternative energy portfolio standards, investing our resources wisely, and leveraging our strengths, we've been able to attract exciting projects like this, along with some of the world's leading renewable energy companies, to
Pennsylvania."
The $20 million Exelon-EPURON Solar Center will feature 16,500 solar panels on a 16.5-acre tract of land adjacent to Waste Management's GROWS Landfill. Governor Rendell announced the project in August.
Upon completion, the solar plant will annually produce approximately 3,700 megawatt hours of power, which is enough to meet the energy requirements of approximately 400 homes. At this output, emission levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that directly contribute to pollution and acid rain will be reduced by the equivalent of planting 33 acres of trees every year or taking more than 440 cars off the road each year.
The facility is owned by EPURON LLC, a subsidiary of the world's largest solar integration company, Conergy AG, which has its North American headquarters in Pennsylvania. Another Pennsylvania-based Conergy subsidiary, Conergy Systems USA -- formerly SunTechnics -- will build the solar center.
"We are pleased to begin construction of the largest East Coast solar energy facility, and the fourth largest in the U.S.," said Arndt E. Lutz, EPURON general manager. "This project will be the first of many in Pennsylvania that will help meet the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard
that the commonwealth had the vision to implement. It is our goal to develop and build solar energy in Pennsylvania for many years to come. We would like to express our thanks to the Governor, state legislature, Exelon and Waste Management for making this project happen."
The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act requires that 18 percent of all energy generated in the state come from alternative and renewable sources by 2021, including 0.5 percent from solar. Approximately 850 megawatts of additional solar capacity are expected to be installed in the state by 2021.
Exelon Generation Company LLC made an important financial commitment to the project through a 20-year power purchase agreement for the energy produced, recognizing the environmental importance of solar energy, according to Kenneth Cornew, president of Exelon Power Team.
"Exelon recognizes the importance of minimizing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production," said Cornew. "We are an industry leader in this area. Our fleet emits less greenhouse gas than any other large electric generation company, but we all
need to do more to reduce our carbon footprint and meet America's future energy needs. This is why Exelon is proud to be a partner with the governor, the state legislature, EPURON, and Waste Management in bringing the benefits of one of the nation's largest solar power projects to
Pennsylvania and the region."
ET Solar Annouces 3MW Project in Oregon
NANJING, China, March 19 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- ET Solar Group Corp. ("ET Solar"), a Nanjing-based integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products including ingot, wafer, module, and state-of-the-art dual-axis tracking systems with manufacturing facilities located in Taizhou, China, announced today a 3MW dual-axis tracking system and module sales contract for a new solar farm project in Oregon, the United States.
Under the contract, ET Solar will ship a total of 273 dual-axis trackers in the first half of 2008 with the first shipment expected to be effected in April. Each tracker has a peak output of 11 kilowatts and can produce, depending on geography, a range of 20,000 to 28,000 kilowatt hours
a year. Annual power output of ET Solar dual-axis trackers is up to 40% higher than a fixed array. All dual-axis trackers are jointly developed between Meca Solar and ET Solar and will be operating on the high efficiency solar modules manufactured by ET Solar. ET Solar trackers are
able to be fully integrated with the modules manufactured by other solar companies as well.
Commenting on the news, Xinghua Wang, chairman of ET Solar said, "The 3MW tracker transaction is the first sizeable tracking system sales that a China based integrated solar company ever made into world's major solar markets. This is truly a milestone event for the entire Chinese solar industry and demonstrates ET Solar's determination and leadership in
downstream system integration product development and commercialization.''
Dennis She, Chief Sales Officer of ET Solar, further commented,''The fact that our customer is purchasing both state-of-the-art tracking systems and modules from ET Solar is a show case of total customer satisfaction which we are now achieving and reflects our broad product portfolio that we are able to offer to our downstream system integration customers. Being a supplier of both tracker and module products, ET Solar is well positioned to be a substantial contributor to the exponential growth of the large solar farm market segment of the PV industry.''
Linhui Sui, Chief Technology Officer of ET Solar, said, ''With our optimal structure design, high quality product component, stringent quality control and the battle tested technologies, we are now able to meet the U.S. compliance, qualification and certification requirement and standards.''
Under the contract, ET Solar will ship a total of 273 dual-axis trackers in the first half of 2008 with the first shipment expected to be effected in April. Each tracker has a peak output of 11 kilowatts and can produce, depending on geography, a range of 20,000 to 28,000 kilowatt hours
a year. Annual power output of ET Solar dual-axis trackers is up to 40% higher than a fixed array. All dual-axis trackers are jointly developed between Meca Solar and ET Solar and will be operating on the high efficiency solar modules manufactured by ET Solar. ET Solar trackers are
able to be fully integrated with the modules manufactured by other solar companies as well.
Commenting on the news, Xinghua Wang, chairman of ET Solar said, "The 3MW tracker transaction is the first sizeable tracking system sales that a China based integrated solar company ever made into world's major solar markets. This is truly a milestone event for the entire Chinese solar industry and demonstrates ET Solar's determination and leadership in
downstream system integration product development and commercialization.''
Dennis She, Chief Sales Officer of ET Solar, further commented,''The fact that our customer is purchasing both state-of-the-art tracking systems and modules from ET Solar is a show case of total customer satisfaction which we are now achieving and reflects our broad product portfolio that we are able to offer to our downstream system integration customers. Being a supplier of both tracker and module products, ET Solar is well positioned to be a substantial contributor to the exponential growth of the large solar farm market segment of the PV industry.''
Linhui Sui, Chief Technology Officer of ET Solar, said, ''With our optimal structure design, high quality product component, stringent quality control and the battle tested technologies, we are now able to meet the U.S. compliance, qualification and certification requirement and standards.''
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Yes! Solar Coming to Southern California
ROSEVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yes! Solar, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Solar Power, Inc. (OTCBB:SOPW), announced today that it has executed a franchise agreement with The McCarthy/Myers Investment Group of Southern California to launch a Yes! Solar SolutionsTM franchise to serve Orange County, California, the first solar franchise it has sold in California. The territory covers approximately 800 square miles and is home to about 625,000 owner-occupied dwellings and many commercial enterprises. Electric rates in the Orange County area, coupled with the California Solar Initiative (CSI) program, make it an attractive market for the Company’s Yes! turnkey solar solutions. “We are excited about this agreement, as it provides an important opportunity to accelerate customer awareness of the Yes! Solar brand in a key area of our State,” said Todd Lindstrom, President of Yes! Solar, Inc.
Yes! Solar Solutions has taken an innovative retail approach to making PV solar energy more accessible to homeowners and businesses. As the Company continues to roll out its franchise plan, it will seek to centrally locate additional retail franchise operations within communities where economic factors, like higher energy costs, make solar power alternatives attractive. Like the Roseville, California store, future Yes! energy outlets will be designed to educate consumers and businesses on the economic and environmental benefits of solar power and provide solutions that will help them reduce their electricity costs. “With natural gas prices following oil prices to historical highs and impacting electricity cost, solar electric systems can provide relief and a very practical hedge against continued increases in electrical costs,” said Lindstrom. “The time is right for a network of strategically located retail outlets that are 100% dedicated to helping consumers and businesses mitigate rising energy costs,” he continued.
“We look forward to working with Yes! Solar, Inc. as we launch this operation and begin serving the communities within Orange County. The timing couldn’t be better,” said Thomas McCarthy, CEO of The McCarthy/Myers Investment Group. “The Yes! franchise provides us an opportunity to deliver much needed relief from rising energy costs in the area while also allowing us to do something beneficial for the environment in the communities we serve. It’s a win-win business model, and we look forward to being part of the growing solar industry.”
Yes! Solar, Inc. opened its first Company-owned energy outlet in Roseville, California on October 20, 2007, and is currently selling franchise territories throughout the State. Since opening, the Roseville Yes! energy outlet has been promoting and hosting monthly educational seminars. In addition to showcasing Yes! solar energy systems, the outlet sells a variety of solar-centric retail products including cell phone chargers, education kits, books and solar system accessories. The Yes! Solar Solutions of Orange County operation will leverage this model and is currently engaged in a site search for their retail energy outlet.
Yes! Solar Solutions has taken an innovative retail approach to making PV solar energy more accessible to homeowners and businesses. As the Company continues to roll out its franchise plan, it will seek to centrally locate additional retail franchise operations within communities where economic factors, like higher energy costs, make solar power alternatives attractive. Like the Roseville, California store, future Yes! energy outlets will be designed to educate consumers and businesses on the economic and environmental benefits of solar power and provide solutions that will help them reduce their electricity costs. “With natural gas prices following oil prices to historical highs and impacting electricity cost, solar electric systems can provide relief and a very practical hedge against continued increases in electrical costs,” said Lindstrom. “The time is right for a network of strategically located retail outlets that are 100% dedicated to helping consumers and businesses mitigate rising energy costs,” he continued.
“We look forward to working with Yes! Solar, Inc. as we launch this operation and begin serving the communities within Orange County. The timing couldn’t be better,” said Thomas McCarthy, CEO of The McCarthy/Myers Investment Group. “The Yes! franchise provides us an opportunity to deliver much needed relief from rising energy costs in the area while also allowing us to do something beneficial for the environment in the communities we serve. It’s a win-win business model, and we look forward to being part of the growing solar industry.”
Yes! Solar, Inc. opened its first Company-owned energy outlet in Roseville, California on October 20, 2007, and is currently selling franchise territories throughout the State. Since opening, the Roseville Yes! energy outlet has been promoting and hosting monthly educational seminars. In addition to showcasing Yes! solar energy systems, the outlet sells a variety of solar-centric retail products including cell phone chargers, education kits, books and solar system accessories. The Yes! Solar Solutions of Orange County operation will leverage this model and is currently engaged in a site search for their retail energy outlet.
Mitsubishi To Boost Photovoltaic Production to 500MW
TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (President and CEO: Setsuhiro Shimomura) announced today that it will invest a total of some 7 billion yen to expand annual production capacity of photovoltaic (PV) cells, at its Nakatsugawa Works Iida Factory (Nagano Prefecture), and modules, at its Nakatsugawa Works Kyoto Factory (Kyoto Prefecture), in response to a sharp increase in demand for solar power generation systems. This investment will expand Mitsubishi Electric’s annual PV production capacity from 150MW to 220MW in October 2008. Looking to the future, the company aims to establish a production system with an annual capacity of 500MW by fiscal 2013 (April 1, 2012-March 31, 2013).
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Akeena Solar Added to NASDAQ Clean Edge Index
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, one of the world’s largest producers and suppliers of solar energy products, today announced that it has been added to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index (Nasdaq: CLEN) and the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index (Nasdaq: CELS) (the "Indexes"), effective with the market open on Monday, March 24, 2008.Gary Effren, chief financial officer of Akeena Solar, commented, "As a leading national installer of solar power systems, we believe producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. We are honored to be added to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Index and the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Liquid Series Index. The Clean Edge Index includes leading clean energy companies and we are proud to represent the end of the value chain that sells and installs solar systems for end users. We hope the Indexes will help further strengthen the development of the whole alternative energy industry."
According to NASDAQ's press release on semi-annual changes to the NASDAQ Clean Edge U.S. Indexes dated March 17, 2008, the Indexes are designed to track the performance of clean-energy companies that are publicly traded in the U.S. The Indexes include companies engaged in the manufacturing, development, distribution, and installation of emerging clean-energy technologies such as solar photovoltaics, biofuels and advanced batteries. The five major sub-sectors that the Indexes cover are Renewable Electricity Generation, Renewable Fuels, Energy Storage & Conversion, Energy Intelligence and Advanced Energy-Related Materials.
Clear Skies Launches Solar Carport System
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Skies Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clear Skies Solar, Inc. (OTCBB:CSKH), today announced its new proprietary TetraPort Solar Energy Carport System, the most advanced system of its kind to enter the marketplace and the third in a series of cutting-edge solar solutions conceived and developed exclusively by Clear Skies Solar.Designed for corporations seeking to implement “green” practices while maintaining the architectural integrity and aesthetic elements of their complexes, the TetraPort encompasses spans of up to forty feet or more and includes independent AC power outlets for electric or hybrid automobiles.
“The TetraPort is both a fully functioning solar energy carport and an architectural artwork that any corporation would be proud to display in its parking area,” said Ezra Green, Chairman and CEO of Clear Skies Solar. “We’ve removed the cold, formless industrial look characteristic of conventional carports and replaced it with innovative design and engineering that will keep people talking.”
Constructed from steel and aluminum, the TetraPort can be painted any color to reflect the individual themes of corporations, and the system’s design versatility allows for the use of any solar module on the market. The TetraPort can withstand wind speeds of up to 125 mph and includes a dioxide shield, designed to resist weather effects over many years.
“Corporations often want to incorporate green practices but lack the roof space to install other types of solar energy systems,” noted Green. “Meanwhile, many commercial complexes require carports for sun protection. The TetraPort resolves both issues.”
With the rare combination of architectural value and solar functionality, the TetraPort is comparable or lower in cost to conventional solar carports offering only functionality. Additionally, because the TetraPort is modular, installation requires less time than needed with conventional models.
Clear Skies Solar designs, engineers, manufacturers, and installs the most advanced and cutting-edge technology currently available in the renewable energy market. In-house architects, electronics experts, and electricians offering combined decades of construction experience make CSS not only a one-stop solution provider but also the leading solar project developer in the United States today.
The TetraPort is the latest innovation of Clear Skies Group’s research and development department, and it comes on the heels of the patented XTRAX® Solar Monitoring System and the proprietary Solar Power Supply (SPS) Vehicle Data Monitoring Device. Designed for sub-100kw residential and commercial customers, XTRAX® reliably monitors solar electrical production and delivers autonomous data readings to ensure optimal system performance levels. SPS, meanwhile, was designed and built by Clear Skies Group on specification to meet the unique needs of a New Jersey-based vehicle data monitoring company.
“We are one of the only solar integrators in the United States to house our own dedicated research and development department,” concluded Green, “and because of this, we are able to provide solutions to our clients’ specific needs.”
Fat Spaniel and EnerWorks Partner for Smart Solar Hot Water Systems
SAN JOSE, Calif. and DORCHESTER, Ontario, March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Fat Spaniel Technologies, Inc., the market leader in providing monitoring and reporting services for distributed energy systems, today announced a partnership with renewable energy systems manufacturer EnerWorks Inc. to deliver smart solar hot water systems. The joint product offering integrates Fat Spaniel's monitoring and reporting services with EnerWorks' award winning Solar Energy Units for commercial and industrial-scale hot water generation. The turnkey solution enables simplified installation, maintenance and billing to maximize return on investment for customers throughout North America."By combining our trusted energy monitoring and monetization capabilities with EnerWorks' innovative solar thermal products, we are working together to streamline every aspect of solar hot water, from system deployment through operations and maintenance, which maximizes return on investment," said Chris Beekhuis, president and CTO of Fat Spaniel Technologies. "Fat Spaniel-enabled solar hot water systems expand our service offering across the growing clean and distributed energy market."
"The flexibility of Fat Spaniel's technology makes for easy integration with EnerWorks' leading-edge solar thermal products," said Ken Arnold, CEO of EnerWorks. "By delivering web-accessible views for our end users, verifiable billing information for utilities or third-party investors and improved operations and maintenance tools for our installers and owners,
Fat Spaniel has proven to be a true partner for EnerWorks in providing a total solar water heating solution designed with an operating life of 25 years."
EnerWorks Solar Energy Systems complement existing electric, natural gas, propane or oil-powered water heating services, providing users with clean energy and a real reduction in their monthly utility bill. With metered solar hot water, utilities can shed load without it impacting their revenues. Designed for use in larger hot water applications such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, condos, apartments, community and recreation centers, pools and office buildings, Fat Spaniel's integrated monitoring system remotely tracks water flow and temperature data as well as ambient weather conditions. Greenhouse gas emission reductions and system operating performance can be viewed live on the web, on a lobby or elevator monitor, or from anywhere on a smartphone.
Fat Spaniel's real-time and historical information services enable lower cost system maintenance and accurate billing information for third-party operators and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) service providers. In addition, Fat Spaniel's Insight Manager(TM) real-time portal helps owners and installers who are responsible for multiple renewable energy systems to efficiently monitor and manage all those systems through a consolidated interface. According to EnerWorks' Ken Arnold, "as our customers move from pilot systems to large-scale deployments, the multi-site management capabilities of Insight Manager will be critical to realizing potential operating efficiencies."
As part of the joint offering, EnerWorks supplies and installs the system through its project partners. Customers then have the option to enter into an agreement for Fat Spaniel's monitoring and reporting services.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Akeena Solar Helps Keep Napa Valley Green
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Akeena Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, today announced the installation of an Akeena solar-panel system on Lafitte Cork & Capsule - USA’s Napa Valley facility. The system currently generates all of the electrical energy onsite.“With several wine industry installations already under our belt, we were able to offer a knowledge base that’s hard to find within the solar marketplace,” said Barry Cinnamon, Akeena Solar CEO. “We’ve helped the wine industry across Northern California achieve its solar objectives and are dedicated to continuing those efforts.” Akeena Solar completed its first wine industry installation in 2003 and has continued to serve the growing green initiatives of the wine industry, with four winery projects last quarter alone. Specializing in the design and installation of high-performance solar power systems, Akeena Solar serves small and medium size commercial and residential customers across the United States.
Lafitte is the first cork producer in California to go solar. The installation of 262 solar panels will generate enough clean energy to eliminate the production of more than 1.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 1,305 pounds of nitrogen oxide and 384 pounds of sulfur dioxide over its 30-year life. The solar system can be monitored in real-time at the Lafitte Web site, www.lafitte-usa.com.
“Akeena’s long-standing commitment to providing solar to the wine industry coupled with its expertise in the field made the company a natural choice for us,” said the President and General Manager of Lafitte David Hanson-Jerrard. “Converting to solar energy has long been a part of Lafitte’s goal of lowering our impact on the planet and furthering our green philosophy. Akeena Solar’s dedicated service, superior performance and business practice have helped make this installation a success.”
Signet Solar to Open Thin-Film PV Plant in India
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Signet Solar, a manufacturer of silicon thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules, today announced plans to locate its second manufacturing site in the Sriperembudur Special Economic Zone near Chennai, India.Signet Solar’s decision to expand manufacturing in India follows more than $400 million in advance orders for the first three years of production. The German plant, scheduled to start production by Q3 2008, will have a total annual production capacity of 60 MW. Additional production lines will be added to increase manufacturing capacity to over 100 MW in Germany by 2010.
“We are on schedule to start shipping products from our Dresden, Germany manufacturing plant by Q3 2008 and plan to begin shipments from India by 2010, with a goal of achieving grid parity pricing within the next five years,” said Rajeeva Lahri, CEO and Founder of Signet Solar. “We have strong demand in Europe and the US and are pleased that our customers have shown confidence in our engineering capabilities and our global strategy to produce high quality modules on a large scale.”
Signet Solar chose to locate its next manufacturing site in India because of the attractive incentives offered by the Government, including the recently announced semiconductor policy initiative and because of the strong emerging demand for renewable energy in India. Chennai, a port city in southern India, is a growing manufacturing center with well-developed infrastructure, world-class educational institutions and a large pool of engineering talent.
“We are pleased that global companies are responding to the new national policy on semiconductors,” said A. Raja, Honorable Minister of Information Technology and Communications. “Signet Solar’s state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology will play an important role in building nano-manufacturing infrastructure in India and deliver clean energy for sustainable, environmentally friendly growth.”
Large area thin film solar PV modules are in high demand in the utility and commercial market segment due to the lower system cost and higher ROI potential. Signet Solar is focused on manufacturing excellence and technology innovation – allowing it to produce high quality thin film PV modules with an industry-leading price-performance ratio.
Signet Solar customers include solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrators, installers of solar farms for utility scale power generation and independent power producers. Very large glass modules and the relatively lower cost of thin film technology are ideal for large scale PV system installations, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and rural electrification. Thin film modules are expected to play a vital role in peak power production and stand-alone applications by avoiding massive investments in power infrastructure. Signet Solar is poised to significantly expand existing markets for Clean Affordable Renewable Energy™ and create vast new opportunities in emerging economies.
Sharp To Provide Solar For Zero Energy Homes
HUNTINGTON BEACH & PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, the U.S. solar arm of Sharp Corporation, a world leader in solar electric solutions, designed and provided the solar power systems for Clarum Homes’ new Hansen Lane Estates in Danville, California. These new Clarum “Enviro-Homes” feature the aesthetically-advanced Sharp OnEnergyTM solar electric system as a standard feature, enabling homeowners to generate clean, renewable electricity to meet their energy needs. In addition to the Sharp solar arrays, the Clarum homes incorporate many energy efficient techniques and technologies – making Hansen Lane Estates the first Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) community and the first enrolled in the LEED for Homes program in Contra Costa County.The solar-powered homes have been selling well – several have been purchased since the homes were put on the market earlier this year. The Sharp OnEnergy solar systems, combined with energy-saving features such as structural insulated panel walls systems, super high performing insulation, Low-E windows, Energy Star® appliances, and electric car plug-ins, make these new Clarum residences some of the most highly energy-efficient homes in the country, enabling homeowners to reduce their utility bills significantly.
"Continuing our mission of sustainable design and green building, Clarum has once again selected Sharp’s solar power systems for its latest ‘Enviro-Home’ community,” said John Suppes, president of Clarum Homes and Byldan Corporation. “Sharp’s solar power system adds tremendous value to the homes we build. By providing homeowners with attractive solar power systems that generate electricity right on their rooftops, and incorporating other energy efficiency features, we're enabling them to save 50 percent or more on their utility bills."
Clarum is deploying Sharp’s new OnEnergy solar electric system, which is designed to make system installation simpler, more cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing. It features all the necessary components for emissions- and maintenance-free operation, including a meter that allows homeowners to monitor system performance. The OnEnergy system eliminates the need for separate module-to-module grounding throughout the entire array, and saves on installation time as well as material costs. The system’s anodized aluminum frames and skirts assure the system is a long-lasting and attractive array on a residential rooftop. Additionally, the OnEnergy system’s internet-based CAD (computer aided design) software enables installers to design, customize, confirm and then simply click to order their solar power system. Any excess electricity generated goes back into the utility grid – thereby spinning the meter backward, and accruing credit on the homeowner's utility bill.
"By building homes that include solar electric power as a standard feature, Clarum continues to be a trailblazer among homebuilders," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group. "We’re delighted that these homes are in such demand by discerning homebuyers who are concerned about their energy usage, their community, and the environment.”
Founded in 1994, and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, Clarum Homes is a family-owned development company devoted to building exceptional new home communities and apartments in California. In addition to incorporating Sharp’s solar electricity solutions in Danville, Clarum has deployed Sharp solar electricity systems atop 47 new homes at its Hamilton Park community in Menlo Park, and at 24 new townhouses at Liberty Pointe in San Leandro, CA. In 2006, Clarum Homes won the Governor’s Economic & Environmental Leadership Award for Sustainable Communities for their efforts at Vista Montaña in Watsonville, California – the nation’s largest zero energy home community, which also features Sharp solar electricity systems.
Sharp’s Solar Energy Solutions Group, based in Huntington Beach, CA, is a unit of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a world leader in solar panel production, and offers both standard and integrated roof modules for home applications. Sharp also is the U.S. market leader and maintains solar panel assembly operations at its manufacturing facility in Memphis, Tennessee. The solar manufacturing facility assembles a variety of panels for residential and commercial installations.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Research And Markets Offers Report on Solar Investing
DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Profiting from Clean Energy: A Complete Guide to Trading Green in Solar, Wind, Ethanol, Fuel Cell, Carbon Credit Industries, and More" to their offering.
With Profiting from Clean Energy, respected investment analyst Richard Asplund provides an in-depth explanation of the technology and industry structure behind various sectors of this field and in the process identifies more than 150 stocks related to clean energy. Along the way, Asplund discusses exactly what it takes to effectively invest in clean energy—whether it be through buying individual stocks, investing in green exchange-traded funds or mutual funds, or trading the biofuel and carbon credit markets.
Profiting from Clean Energy provides a complete guide for individual and professional investors on how to profit from the fast growing clean energy sector. Investment opportunities in bio-fuels/ethanol, solar power, wind power, fuel cells, geothermal, clean fossil fuel technologies, and power savings and efficiency are analyzed. Research backs guidance on best areas to invest in now, which to wait on, and what to avoid completely. All the ways to invest in this sector including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, venture capital, angel investing, and futures are presented. The age of "dinosaur fuel" is peaking and petroleum prices have soared to record highs due to inability of production to keep pace with growing demand. The tipping point has arrived for the move to clean energy alternatives and governments around the world are mandating change through regulation, incentive, and investment. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor of the burgeoning area which today stands at $4 billion in sales and is estimated to quadruple over the next 10 years.
Topics Covered
- Clean Energy Investments and Performance - The Show Has Just Begun.
- Catalysts for the Clean Energy Industry.
- The Government Push - Strong Enough to Get Clean Energy to Clean Energy.
- Potential - Double-Digit Growth for Decades.
- Solar Power - The Sky is the Limit.
- Wind Power - The Picturesque Dutch Windmill Gets a Technology Makeover.
- Fuel Cells - Present & Accounted for in Some Applications Already.
- Geothermal Power - Dante's Contribution to Clean Energy.
- Cleaner Utilities - Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks.
- Power Efficiency – "The Cheapest and Most Available Source of Energy Is the Energy We Waste".
- Smart Meters - Getting Smart on Grid Efficiency and Reliability.
- Power Storage and Backup Systems - When the Grid Just Won't Do.
- Clean Transportation - Electric Hybrids Are Charged Up and Ready to Go.
- Ethanol/Biofuels - US Farmers Play David to OPEC's Goliath.
- Trading Biofuel Markets - Feedstock Frenzy.
- Big Coal - Meet Your New Partners: Cleaner Coal and Carbon Capture.
- Carbon Trading - Poised to Become the World's Largest Commodity Market?
Investment Conclusions.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c85304.
With Profiting from Clean Energy, respected investment analyst Richard Asplund provides an in-depth explanation of the technology and industry structure behind various sectors of this field and in the process identifies more than 150 stocks related to clean energy. Along the way, Asplund discusses exactly what it takes to effectively invest in clean energy—whether it be through buying individual stocks, investing in green exchange-traded funds or mutual funds, or trading the biofuel and carbon credit markets.
Profiting from Clean Energy provides a complete guide for individual and professional investors on how to profit from the fast growing clean energy sector. Investment opportunities in bio-fuels/ethanol, solar power, wind power, fuel cells, geothermal, clean fossil fuel technologies, and power savings and efficiency are analyzed. Research backs guidance on best areas to invest in now, which to wait on, and what to avoid completely. All the ways to invest in this sector including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, venture capital, angel investing, and futures are presented. The age of "dinosaur fuel" is peaking and petroleum prices have soared to record highs due to inability of production to keep pace with growing demand. The tipping point has arrived for the move to clean energy alternatives and governments around the world are mandating change through regulation, incentive, and investment. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor of the burgeoning area which today stands at $4 billion in sales and is estimated to quadruple over the next 10 years.
Topics Covered
- Clean Energy Investments and Performance - The Show Has Just Begun.
- Catalysts for the Clean Energy Industry.
- The Government Push - Strong Enough to Get Clean Energy to Clean Energy.
- Potential - Double-Digit Growth for Decades.
- Solar Power - The Sky is the Limit.
- Wind Power - The Picturesque Dutch Windmill Gets a Technology Makeover.
- Fuel Cells - Present & Accounted for in Some Applications Already.
- Geothermal Power - Dante's Contribution to Clean Energy.
- Cleaner Utilities - Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks.
- Power Efficiency – "The Cheapest and Most Available Source of Energy Is the Energy We Waste".
- Smart Meters - Getting Smart on Grid Efficiency and Reliability.
- Power Storage and Backup Systems - When the Grid Just Won't Do.
- Clean Transportation - Electric Hybrids Are Charged Up and Ready to Go.
- Ethanol/Biofuels - US Farmers Play David to OPEC's Goliath.
- Trading Biofuel Markets - Feedstock Frenzy.
- Big Coal - Meet Your New Partners: Cleaner Coal and Carbon Capture.
- Carbon Trading - Poised to Become the World's Largest Commodity Market?
Investment Conclusions.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c85304.
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