French oil giant Total is buying up to 60% of US solar manufacturer and project developer SunPower for $1.38bn, and will extend the US PV manufacturer a $1bn credit facility.
The deal, which the companies position as a “broad strategic relationship”, would represent among the largest plays yet by an oil supermajor in solar and could be a boon to other PV companies. It follows closely on General Electric’s $600m bet on solar, announced earlier this month.
Philippe Boisseau, president of the Total Gas and Power Division, says the world is undergoing a “long-term transition in which renewable energies will take their place alongside conventional resources... Today, Total is executing on its strategy to become a major integrated player in solar energy.”
SunPower chief executive Tom Werner says the deal would help “accelerate our growth and solidify our position in the increasingly competitive solar sector”.
The company makes among the highest-efficiency solar panels, but is not a top-10 player in terms of market share.
SunPower has developed a major project development business and recently reported a near-term utility scale project pipeline of 1.5GW with another 3.5GW of projects for which it has site control.
Under terms of the credit support, Total will guarantee up to $1bn of SunPower’s obligations regarding letters of credit related to its utility power plant and large commercial installation business. Says Werner, “Our relationship with Total will improve our capital structure enabling SunPower to accelerate our power plant and commercial development businesses, and expand our manufacturing capacity with lower cash requirements”.
SunPower reported sales of $937.1m in its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter and net income of $152.3m. In February, the time of its most-recent quarterly report, the California company was expecting 2011 revenue of $2.8bn-2.95bn, up as much as 32% from 2010, on shipments of 825MW-920MW.
Boisseau says Total spent two years evaluating multiple solar investments before going forward with SunPower.
The transaction, described as a friendly tender offer, involves a Total subsidiary purchasing up to 60% of SunPower’s Class A and B stock for $23.25 a share, a premium of more than 46% on the Wednesday closing price of the A shares. It values SunPower at $2.3bn.
The companies plan to collaborate on solar research and development. And SunPower expects to benefit from Total's global footprint and balance sheet.
The boards of both companies have approved the transaction and the tender offer is to begin within 10 business days. A minimum of 50% of the outstanding shares of SunPower must be tendered for the transaction to go ahead. Total may purchase more SunPower shares in the future. The deal must also pass muster with US and European regulators.
SunPower’s existing management team is expected to remain intact after the transition. Total will nominate the majority of SunPower directors.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
GE To Roll Out High Efficiency CdTe Solar Panels
Photovoltaic solar is the next step in growing GE’s renewable energy portfolio and is part of the company’s ecomagination commitment to drive clean energy technology through innovation and R&D investment. GE has announced that its full-size, thin film solar panel has been independently certified as the most efficient ever publicly reported milestone for the technology.
The record-setting panel was produced on the PrimeStar 30-megawatt manufacturing line in Arvada, Colo. It was measured by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) at a 12.8 percent aperture area efficiency. This panel surpasses all previously published records for CdTe thin film, which is the most affordable solar technology in the industry. Continually increasing solar panel efficiency is a key component of GE’s goal to offer advanced solar products while reducing the total cost of electricity for utilities and consumers. In fact, a 1 percent increase in efficiency is equal to an approximate 10 percent decrease in system cost.
“Milestones like these are pivotal as the United States looks to drive widespread adoption of solar technologies,” said Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL. “It’s great to see technology that started at NREL ready to move into the market.” NREL transitioned the technology to PrimeStar through a cooperative research and development agreement signed in 2007.
GE intends to manufacture the record-setting solar panels at a new U.S. factory that will be larger than any existing solar panel factory in the country today. When complete, the factory will highlight an expected $600 million plus investment made by GE in solar technology and commercialization and will be complemented by the recently announced acquisition of power conversion company Converteam.
In addition, GE has completed the acquisition of PrimeStar Solar, Inc., a thin film solar technology company in which GE has held a majority equity stake since 2008.
“Over the last decade, through technology investment, GE has become one of the world’s major wind turbine manufacturers, and our investment in high-tech solar products will help us continue to grow our position in the renewable energy industry,” said Victor Abate, vice president of GE’s renewable energy business. “We are addressing the biggest barrier for the mainstream adoption of solar technology—cost—and the NREL certification proves that we are on track to deliver the most affordable solutions for our customers.”
Global demand for photovoltaics is expected to grow by 75 gigawatts over the next five years, with utility-scale solar power plants making up a significant part of that growth. With the technology and manufacturing investments recently announced, GE is well positioned to capitalize on this trend.
GE plans to build an advanced technology thin film solar panel factory in the United States that, at capacity, will produce enough panels per year to power 80,000 homes annually. The 400-megawatt facility will be larger than any U.S. solar panel manufacturing plant in operation today and will employ 400 people. Multiple locations are being considered for the new facility, with the final location to be announced shortly.
Abate said, “Our plan to open a U.S. solar manufacturing facility further demonstrates our confidence in this technology and is just the first phase in a global, multi-gigawatt roadmap. We’re not only excited by the efficiency milestone, but also by the speed at which our team was able to achieve it and the innovation runway for future improvements in this technology.”
GE also announced more than 100 megawatts of new commercial agreements for solar thin film products, including panels, inverters and total solar power plants. GE’s largest solar agreement to date is with NextEra Energy for 60 megawatts of thin film solar panels. Once deployed, the panels will help grow NextEra’s solar power portfolio, solidifying the company’s position as the largest generator of solar energy in the country today. NextEra also currently produces 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy with GE’s wind turbines.
Jim Robo, NextEra chief operating officer, said, “As the largest generator of renewable energy in the United States, NextEra believes that the North American solar industry presents a compelling opportunity for growth over the next several years. GE’s advanced solar technology is a natural choice for us as we look to continue to build our portfolio of wind turbines and solar panels to meet our customers’ demands for more affordable, cleaner energy.”
GE also has signed a 20-megawatt solar agreement with Invenergy for the supply of thin film solar panels and GE Brilliance inverters. Invenergy, a Chicago-based clean energy generation company, will install the solar products at a project site in Illinois. Invenergy recently executed a power purchase agreement for the project, which upon completion will be one of the largest solar installations in the state.
“Invenergy is the nation’s largest independent wind power generation company, and we’re delighted to work with GE on this solar project as we expand our clean energy portfolio,” said Michael Polsky, Invenergy’s president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to utilizing GE’s advanced solar module technologies.”
In addition to thin film solar panels, GE offers power electronics and pre-designed utility scale solar power plants for use in multi-megawatt applications. The recently proposed $3.2 billion acquisition of Converteam will add the company’s energy conversion technologies to GE’s solar offerings, further broadening GE’s portfolio.
Power electronics are critical to bringing renewable sources such as wind and solar into the mainstream, delivering economies of scale and providing stable connection to the grid. By adding Converteam technology, GE is well positioned to bring a broad range of integrated generators, converters and inverters to the wind turbine and solar plant sectors.
The record-setting panel was produced on the PrimeStar 30-megawatt manufacturing line in Arvada, Colo. It was measured by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) at a 12.8 percent aperture area efficiency. This panel surpasses all previously published records for CdTe thin film, which is the most affordable solar technology in the industry. Continually increasing solar panel efficiency is a key component of GE’s goal to offer advanced solar products while reducing the total cost of electricity for utilities and consumers. In fact, a 1 percent increase in efficiency is equal to an approximate 10 percent decrease in system cost.
“Milestones like these are pivotal as the United States looks to drive widespread adoption of solar technologies,” said Ryne Raffaelle, director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL. “It’s great to see technology that started at NREL ready to move into the market.” NREL transitioned the technology to PrimeStar through a cooperative research and development agreement signed in 2007.
GE intends to manufacture the record-setting solar panels at a new U.S. factory that will be larger than any existing solar panel factory in the country today. When complete, the factory will highlight an expected $600 million plus investment made by GE in solar technology and commercialization and will be complemented by the recently announced acquisition of power conversion company Converteam.
In addition, GE has completed the acquisition of PrimeStar Solar, Inc., a thin film solar technology company in which GE has held a majority equity stake since 2008.
“Over the last decade, through technology investment, GE has become one of the world’s major wind turbine manufacturers, and our investment in high-tech solar products will help us continue to grow our position in the renewable energy industry,” said Victor Abate, vice president of GE’s renewable energy business. “We are addressing the biggest barrier for the mainstream adoption of solar technology—cost—and the NREL certification proves that we are on track to deliver the most affordable solutions for our customers.”
Global demand for photovoltaics is expected to grow by 75 gigawatts over the next five years, with utility-scale solar power plants making up a significant part of that growth. With the technology and manufacturing investments recently announced, GE is well positioned to capitalize on this trend.
GE plans to build an advanced technology thin film solar panel factory in the United States that, at capacity, will produce enough panels per year to power 80,000 homes annually. The 400-megawatt facility will be larger than any U.S. solar panel manufacturing plant in operation today and will employ 400 people. Multiple locations are being considered for the new facility, with the final location to be announced shortly.
Abate said, “Our plan to open a U.S. solar manufacturing facility further demonstrates our confidence in this technology and is just the first phase in a global, multi-gigawatt roadmap. We’re not only excited by the efficiency milestone, but also by the speed at which our team was able to achieve it and the innovation runway for future improvements in this technology.”
GE also announced more than 100 megawatts of new commercial agreements for solar thin film products, including panels, inverters and total solar power plants. GE’s largest solar agreement to date is with NextEra Energy for 60 megawatts of thin film solar panels. Once deployed, the panels will help grow NextEra’s solar power portfolio, solidifying the company’s position as the largest generator of solar energy in the country today. NextEra also currently produces 4.5 gigawatts of renewable energy with GE’s wind turbines.
Jim Robo, NextEra chief operating officer, said, “As the largest generator of renewable energy in the United States, NextEra believes that the North American solar industry presents a compelling opportunity for growth over the next several years. GE’s advanced solar technology is a natural choice for us as we look to continue to build our portfolio of wind turbines and solar panels to meet our customers’ demands for more affordable, cleaner energy.”
GE also has signed a 20-megawatt solar agreement with Invenergy for the supply of thin film solar panels and GE Brilliance inverters. Invenergy, a Chicago-based clean energy generation company, will install the solar products at a project site in Illinois. Invenergy recently executed a power purchase agreement for the project, which upon completion will be one of the largest solar installations in the state.
“Invenergy is the nation’s largest independent wind power generation company, and we’re delighted to work with GE on this solar project as we expand our clean energy portfolio,” said Michael Polsky, Invenergy’s president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to utilizing GE’s advanced solar module technologies.”
In addition to thin film solar panels, GE offers power electronics and pre-designed utility scale solar power plants for use in multi-megawatt applications. The recently proposed $3.2 billion acquisition of Converteam will add the company’s energy conversion technologies to GE’s solar offerings, further broadening GE’s portfolio.
Power electronics are critical to bringing renewable sources such as wind and solar into the mainstream, delivering economies of scale and providing stable connection to the grid. By adding Converteam technology, GE is well positioned to bring a broad range of integrated generators, converters and inverters to the wind turbine and solar plant sectors.
Source: Energy Friend News.com / GE
Commercial Solar Water Heating Growing by 20% / Yr in USA
ALO ALTO, California, April 4, 2011 – AltaTerra Research announced the release of its highly anticipated report today, entitled, “Solar Water Heating on the Rise: Tapping into Commercial Solar Thermal.” The report is one of the first professional market research studies of how customers are installing solar water heating. It addresses customer-facing issues, including the value proposition and suitability to and rate of adoption in particular industry types. It also profiles how and why current customers are installing solar water heating systems.
Sample findings from the report include:
The United States solar water heating market is now growing at about 20 percent per year in the commercial sector—a significant upturn from long-term trends.
For most customers, solar heating lowers energy expenditures.
Pilot installations are raising market acceptance and triggering follow-on purchases.
In a development that bodes well for the potential of a robust commercial market, solar thermal power purchase agreements are starting to take root in some areas.
“The market for commercial solar water heating systems in the United States is on the rise, growing an estimated twenty percent in 2010. The U.S. commercial market is benefiting from new incentives programs and an increase in corporate and commercial customers seeking to meet resource efficiency goals and hedge against rising energy prices,” said the report’s lead author Eric Paul.
Big Growth Projected for Energy Storage Technologies
GLEN ALLEN, VA--(Marketwire - Apr 28, 2011) - Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets has just issued a new report that says the solar power industry will use $953 million (USD) in energy storage systems in 2016, rising to $1.5 billion in 2018. The report, "Energy Storage Markets in the Solar Energy Industry," is the latest in NanoMarkets' ongoing coverage of energy storage and renewable energy markets. A related report, "Energy Storage Opportunities in the Wind Power Industry," was issued in Q4 of 2010.
From the report:
The demand for high energy density batteries is expected to surge to meet the needs of the growing number of utility-scale solar plants. Such plants are already being heavily promoted by large solar panel firms in anticipation of lowered PV subsidies for consumers. The growing trend towards grid-scale PV will also be fueled by anti-nuclear sentiments following the Japanese disasters. High energy density batteries for solar power storage are expected to reach revenues of $763 million by 2016.
In the wake of reduced feed-in tariffs for PV, large commercial users will want to better manage the energy they generate and sell back to utilities. NanoMarkets believes that energy storage will become a key part of this new management effort and his trend will help take sales of lead-acid and lead-carbon batteries for solar power storage to $465 million by 2016.
The efforts towards reengineering the humble lithium ion battery to do duty in the Smart Grid is already showing signs of paying off in early solar power storage projects. By 2016, sales of lithium ion and related batteries for solar power storage will be worth $274 million, making this the second largest segment of the solar storage market in value terms.
About the report:
This NanoMarkets report analyzes and quantifies the opportunities for firms seeking to understand the opportunities created by energy storage technologies in the solar power sector; both PV and CSP are covered. It provides an analysis of the market in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, China and India, with eight-year forecasts of energy storage sold into the solar sector for each of these countries/regions, as well as for the world as whole. These forecasts are broken out by major energy storage technologies in both volume (MWh) and value terms. The report also includes discussions of major solar-related storage projects around the world and the major firms to watch in the space.
About NanoMarkets:
NanoMarkets is a leading provider of market research and industry analysis of opportunities within advanced materials and emerging energy and electronics markets. The firm has published numerous reports related to smart grids, renewable energy and related energy storage market opportunities. Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.
From the report:
The demand for high energy density batteries is expected to surge to meet the needs of the growing number of utility-scale solar plants. Such plants are already being heavily promoted by large solar panel firms in anticipation of lowered PV subsidies for consumers. The growing trend towards grid-scale PV will also be fueled by anti-nuclear sentiments following the Japanese disasters. High energy density batteries for solar power storage are expected to reach revenues of $763 million by 2016.
In the wake of reduced feed-in tariffs for PV, large commercial users will want to better manage the energy they generate and sell back to utilities. NanoMarkets believes that energy storage will become a key part of this new management effort and his trend will help take sales of lead-acid and lead-carbon batteries for solar power storage to $465 million by 2016.
The efforts towards reengineering the humble lithium ion battery to do duty in the Smart Grid is already showing signs of paying off in early solar power storage projects. By 2016, sales of lithium ion and related batteries for solar power storage will be worth $274 million, making this the second largest segment of the solar storage market in value terms.
About the report:
This NanoMarkets report analyzes and quantifies the opportunities for firms seeking to understand the opportunities created by energy storage technologies in the solar power sector; both PV and CSP are covered. It provides an analysis of the market in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, China and India, with eight-year forecasts of energy storage sold into the solar sector for each of these countries/regions, as well as for the world as whole. These forecasts are broken out by major energy storage technologies in both volume (MWh) and value terms. The report also includes discussions of major solar-related storage projects around the world and the major firms to watch in the space.
About NanoMarkets:
NanoMarkets is a leading provider of market research and industry analysis of opportunities within advanced materials and emerging energy and electronics markets. The firm has published numerous reports related to smart grids, renewable energy and related energy storage market opportunities. Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets' reports and other services.
Source: NanoMarkets
Boeing Powers 787 Dreamliner Factory with Solar Power
Boeing announced their 787 Dreamliner will be the greenest jet in the skies once completed models begin rolling out of the company’s new manufacturing facility in South Carolina, which will draw 100 percent of its power from renewable energy sources.
A 2.6 megawatt (MW) solar energy system using thin-film solar panels will be installed on the roof of the 100,000 square-metre facility, providing enough electricity to power roughly 250 homes, or 20 percent of the factory’s annual energy requirements.
Boeing says the Dreamliner factory’s solar roof will be the largest of its kind in the south-eastern United States. The company partnered with South Carolina Gas and Electric (SCGE) to help establish a sustainable energy infrastructure for the site.
"All of the energy generated on this solar roof top will be used on site by Boeing," said Bob Long, general manager for resources planning at SCGE. "We’re actually going to be installing the generator on the customer side of the meter."
Boeing says the rest of the power needed at the new factory will come from other renewable energy sources, namely biomass.
"The renewable energy that we’re going to buy here comes from a biomass facility, where they basically take shrub waste, tree waste from construction and process it to generate energy with very low emissions into the atmosphere," said Rick Muttart, site services director for Boeing South Carolina.
Boeing says their commitment to responsible corporate citizenship extends to a 100 percent recycling of all waste products from the new Dreamliner facility, which shows, according to Mary Armstrong, vice president of Environment, Health and Safety for Boeing "that it is possible to commit to renewable energy on a large scale."
Other Boeing flight projects that have a more direct connection to solar power include the SolarEagle, an unmanned surveillance drone that will be able to fly non-stop missions for up to five years..
Boeing's solar power interests also include Spectrolab, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing that produces solar solar cells.
Source: Boeing / Energy Matters
Fronius Now Offers Up to 20 Year Warranties on their Inverters
Fronius USA is now offering a 10-Year Warranty Extension on IG and IG Plus / IG Plus V series inverters. Customers can upgrade from Fronius' standard 10-Year Warranty to 20 years by purchasing the 10-Year Warranty Extension for a nominal investment. The 20-Year Warranty shows Fronius' long-term commitment to our customers. We build high quality products designed to last.
As an industry-leading move, Fronius began offering a Five-Year Warranty Extension back in May, 2008. We are pleased that we can now offer a 10-Year Warranty Extension. “These extended warranties of up to 20 years take us up another notch in providing the world-class customer service we refer to as ‘The Fronius Difference’ to our customers.” states Moe Mahone, Head of Fronius USA Solar Technical Support.
European Inverters Dominate Market in 2010
Power-One was the PV inverter market's largest share gainer in 2010, moving up to second in the global rankings, according to IMS Research's latest report on the inverter market.
In addition, for the first time, all of the top 10 suppliers to the market in 2010 were European - largely due to the explosive market growth in key European markets that these suppliers enjoyed. The top five gainers in market share in 2010 were Power-One, Siemens, Advanced Energy, Sungrow and Danfoss.
IMS Research's report also found that the global PV inverter market grew 140% in 2010, with core European markets Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and France serving as the main drivers. However, some suppliers performed significantly better than others.
"During 2010, exceptional demand meant that component shortages blighted the industry, and lead times for many suppliers extended up to 30 weeks," says PV market analyst Tom Haddon. "Suppliers that were able to source components benefited - with Power-One being a prime example."
"Growth of the small three-phase inverter market for units rated between 10 kW and 20 kW helped suppliers such as Danfoss Solar Inverters, Refu Elektronik and Siemens gain considerable share and move up the rankings," Haddon adds.
High growth is forecast for the North American market this year, which may benefit domestic suppliers such as Satcon and Advanced Energy, which already performed very well in 2010 and were the highest ranked non-European supplier and biggest ranking gainer, respectively. Advanced Energy was the third largest market share gainer last year, largely due to its earlier acquisition of rival PV Powered, IMS Research says.
This year presents very different opportunities and challenges for suppliers as the industry grapples with excess inventory due to oversupply in 2010 and a shifting balance in power toward Asia and North America.
"During 2010, the PV inverter market was very European-centric, with over 80 percent of shipments destined for [Europe]," says Haddon. "However, with faster growth now forecast in non-European emerging markets such as the U.S., China and India, opportunities for European-focused suppliers to gain share may be limited."
Photo: A solar power plant in Finsterwalde, Germany. Photo credit: Q-Cells SE.
PowerSaver Loans for Solar Installations Available for 30,000 US Homeowners
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced that 18 national, regional and local lenders will participate in the PowerSaver program. PowerSaver is a new two-year pilot program that will offer qualified borrowers living in certain parts of the country low-cost loans to make energy-saving home improvements, including the installation of PV systems.
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, PowerSaver loans will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice. Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is estimated to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades, though higher market demand may increase this impact.
According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program, and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.
PowerSaver has been designed to meet a need in the marketplace for borrowers who have the ability and motivation to take on modest additional debt to realize the savings over time from home energy improvements, according to HUD. PowerSaver loans are only available to borrowers with good credit, manageable debt and at least some equity in their home (maximum 100% combined loan-to-value).
Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, PowerSaver loans will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice. Initially, the PowerSaver pilot program is estimated to assist approximately 30,000 homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades, though higher market demand may increase this impact.
According to HUD projections, more than 3,000 jobs will be created through this pilot program, and the impact may be larger if market demand for the loan program increases over time.
PowerSaver has been designed to meet a need in the marketplace for borrowers who have the ability and motivation to take on modest additional debt to realize the savings over time from home energy improvements, according to HUD. PowerSaver loans are only available to borrowers with good credit, manageable debt and at least some equity in their home (maximum 100% combined loan-to-value).
Source: Solar Industry
Namibia: Solar Energy Best for Rural Areas
MINES and Energy Minister Isak Katali says his ministry firmly believes that renewable energy can be part of a solution to provide electricity to rural areas. He said rural electrification remains a challenge.
"The infrastructure associated with rural electrification is very expensive, largely due to the low population density and low economic activities in the areas requiring electricity to support the cost of bringing the grid to these areas," Katali said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Solar Revolving Fund (SRF), an element of the Ministry's Off-Grid Energisation Master Plan for Namibia, in Windhoek yesterday.
The SRF allows people to buy solar-power systems by making use of revolving credit.
Technologies that have been financed so far include solar home systems, solar water pumping and solar water heating.
The Plan's objective is to promote off-grid rural electrification through the use of renewable energy.
Katali said, energy shops will be set up in every region and this was being coordinated by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Institute at the Polytechnic of Namibia, with financial from the Finnish embassy.
The ministry's permanent secretary, Joseph Iita, said the SRF programme was established in 1996 and had been run by private fund administrators before it was taken over by the ministry again this year.
So far, Government has contributed about N$19 million to the SRF and about 1 500 people have benefited from it, borrowing about N$11 million, said Iita.
Applicants pay a minimum deposit of 5 per cent and an interest rate of 5 per cent annually. Loans are repaid within five years.
"The infrastructure associated with rural electrification is very expensive, largely due to the low population density and low economic activities in the areas requiring electricity to support the cost of bringing the grid to these areas," Katali said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Solar Revolving Fund (SRF), an element of the Ministry's Off-Grid Energisation Master Plan for Namibia, in Windhoek yesterday.
The SRF allows people to buy solar-power systems by making use of revolving credit.
Technologies that have been financed so far include solar home systems, solar water pumping and solar water heating.
The Plan's objective is to promote off-grid rural electrification through the use of renewable energy.
Katali said, energy shops will be set up in every region and this was being coordinated by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Institute at the Polytechnic of Namibia, with financial from the Finnish embassy.
The ministry's permanent secretary, Joseph Iita, said the SRF programme was established in 1996 and had been run by private fund administrators before it was taken over by the ministry again this year.
So far, Government has contributed about N$19 million to the SRF and about 1 500 people have benefited from it, borrowing about N$11 million, said Iita.
Applicants pay a minimum deposit of 5 per cent and an interest rate of 5 per cent annually. Loans are repaid within five years.
Source: AllAfrica.com
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Solar Energy Without Solar Cells
Semiconductor-Based Solar Cells Andrej Šalov via Wikimedia
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One of the major barriers between solar energy and solar-derived electricity is solar cells themselves--commercial solar cells aren’t very efficient at converting sunlight to electricity, but they are the best thing we’ve got. Now, a team of University of Michigan researchers have potentially devised a better way to convert solar energy into electricity: get rid of the semiconductor-based solar cells altogether and tap into the magnetic effects of light.
The researcher say the’ve essentially found a way to make an “optical battery” by extracting a very strong magnetic field from light, which generally exhibits weak magnetic effects. Those effects are generally so weak that until now scientists ignored them altogether. But the Michigan team found that by running light through a non-conductive material at the right intensity, the light field can generate magnetic effects 100 million times stronger than previously thought.
That’s more than a few orders of magnitude, and plenty to make those once-negligible magnetic effects quite interesting from an energy standpoint. By focusing this magnetic field on a material, it can be used to separate the positive and negative charges within the material, setting up a voltage. The discovery could lead to a new kind of solar cell that dispenses with semiconductors, instead relying on cheap and abundant glass for most of the components.
The technique is not perfect. To work, the sunlight must be focused to an intensity of 10 million watts per square centimeter. That’s pretty intense--way more intense than natural sunlight--but the researchers are looking for other materials that could work at lower intensities. With better materials--and the researchers think they are out there--the technique could achieve 10 percent efficiency: on par with today’s commercial semiconductor cells, minus the costly semiconductors.
[University of Michigan]
Philippines Pushes Towards Major Support for Solar Energy
MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago is pushing for the massive use and installation of solar energy systems in private homes, schools, and government offices around the country to help reduce expenses on electricity and mitigate global warming and air pollution.
In filing Senate Bill 2751, Santiago said investing in solar power can only lead to greater energy stability and energy dependence and added economic benefits such as increased jobs and lower energy bills.
“The Philippines will benefit greatly from solar power due to the high levels of sunlight it receives throughout most of the year. Harnessing clean and renewable energy such as solar power can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and protect the environment,” Santiago said.
She said solar photovoltaic technologies are moving rapidly worldwide from serving off-grid niche markets like remote locations to becoming mainstream electricity source.
Developed countries such as the United States and Japan actively promote the use of these technologies in residential homes and commercial businesses, she said.
Santiago batted for government incentives for individual homeowners and business groups to make solar power cost-competitive with traditional electricity sources.
SB 2751 seeks to provide competitive grants to local governments for rebates, loans and other incentives to eligible individuals or entities for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems for properties located in the Philippines.
Under the proposed law, which shall be known as “Solar Roofs Act of 2010,” a homeowner, business entity, school, college or university, and other individuals who may be deemed by the Energy secretary as appropriate, shall be considered as an “eligible participant.”
In general, Santiago said the solar power program should be administered by the Energy secretary, who shall adopt and implement criteria for awarding grants to local governments that would provide maximum leverage of government funds and maximum deployment of solar energy, and ensure that grants are awarded to a diversity of geographic locations, and recipients with different population sizes.
“It is the goal, through this Act and any appropriate incentive or research and development program, to install distributed solar energy systems on not less than one million properties located in the Philippines by Dec. 31, 2021,” Santiago said.
In filing Senate Bill 2751, Santiago said investing in solar power can only lead to greater energy stability and energy dependence and added economic benefits such as increased jobs and lower energy bills.
“The Philippines will benefit greatly from solar power due to the high levels of sunlight it receives throughout most of the year. Harnessing clean and renewable energy such as solar power can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and protect the environment,” Santiago said.
She said solar photovoltaic technologies are moving rapidly worldwide from serving off-grid niche markets like remote locations to becoming mainstream electricity source.
Developed countries such as the United States and Japan actively promote the use of these technologies in residential homes and commercial businesses, she said.
Santiago batted for government incentives for individual homeowners and business groups to make solar power cost-competitive with traditional electricity sources.
SB 2751 seeks to provide competitive grants to local governments for rebates, loans and other incentives to eligible individuals or entities for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems for properties located in the Philippines.
Under the proposed law, which shall be known as “Solar Roofs Act of 2010,” a homeowner, business entity, school, college or university, and other individuals who may be deemed by the Energy secretary as appropriate, shall be considered as an “eligible participant.”
In general, Santiago said the solar power program should be administered by the Energy secretary, who shall adopt and implement criteria for awarding grants to local governments that would provide maximum leverage of government funds and maximum deployment of solar energy, and ensure that grants are awarded to a diversity of geographic locations, and recipients with different population sizes.
“It is the goal, through this Act and any appropriate incentive or research and development program, to install distributed solar energy systems on not less than one million properties located in the Philippines by Dec. 31, 2021,” Santiago said.
Source: The Philippine Star
Google Invests $168 MIllion in Ivanpah Solar Thermal Plant
Google announced this week that it will be making its largest renewable energy investment to date by investing $168 million in Brightsource Energy's Ivanpah solar thermal power plant in the Mojave desert. The plant will have an installed capacity of 392 MW.
The Ivanpah plant began construction last year and should be completed in 2013. It will employ 173,000 heliostats, each with two mirrors, to concentrate solar energy onto a tower where the heat will make steam that turns a turbine and creates electricity. While other solar thermal projects are in the works in the Southwest, Ivanpah is the largest solar tower project so far.
This type of solar power technology is one that Google is trying to improve upon themselves. The company announced last year that it was working on a more efficient mirror technology that could lower the cost of solar thermal plants.
This latest investment brings Google's total renewable energy investments up to $250 million.
via: Google & Ecogeek
Google and Facebook Invest in Solar Power
Google announced yesterday a $100 million investment in the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Oregon. The massive wind power facility, expected to be the largest on shore plant in the world upon completion, will generate 845 MW of clean electricity - enough to power more than 235,000 homes.
Google's latest renewable energy splurge brings its recent investments in clean power generation to more than USD$350 million. In the last couple of weeks, the search giant has also invested in a solar farm in Germany and sunk USD$168 million in the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System project, currently under construction in in the Mojave Desert in California. Google has also made prior investments in green energy, including powering some of its own facilities with solar power.
The other 900 pound gorilla of the online world, Facebook, is also taking some tentative steps towards powering facilities with renewable energy. According to Data Center Knowledge, a 100kw solar panel array has been constructed at Facebook's new 28,000 square meter data center in Prineville, Oregon. The solar power system is expected to generate 204,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity a year. Facebook will be monitoring the solar farm's performance, with view to perhaps rolling out similar installations at other facilities.
While FaceBook has been heavily criticised for sourcing power for its data centers from coal-fired power generation sources, the company has been placing a special focus on energy efficiency - and sharing that knowledge with the industry.
Facebook set itself a goal to build one of the most efficient and economical computing infrastructures at the lowest possible cost and as a result, their Oregon data center uses servers that are 38% more efficient and 24% less expensive to build and operate. The company has released specifications and mechanical drawings through the Open Compute Project.
Source: Energy Matters
Google's latest renewable energy splurge brings its recent investments in clean power generation to more than USD$350 million. In the last couple of weeks, the search giant has also invested in a solar farm in Germany and sunk USD$168 million in the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System project, currently under construction in in the Mojave Desert in California. Google has also made prior investments in green energy, including powering some of its own facilities with solar power.
The other 900 pound gorilla of the online world, Facebook, is also taking some tentative steps towards powering facilities with renewable energy. According to Data Center Knowledge, a 100kw solar panel array has been constructed at Facebook's new 28,000 square meter data center in Prineville, Oregon. The solar power system is expected to generate 204,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity a year. Facebook will be monitoring the solar farm's performance, with view to perhaps rolling out similar installations at other facilities.
While FaceBook has been heavily criticised for sourcing power for its data centers from coal-fired power generation sources, the company has been placing a special focus on energy efficiency - and sharing that knowledge with the industry.
Facebook set itself a goal to build one of the most efficient and economical computing infrastructures at the lowest possible cost and as a result, their Oregon data center uses servers that are 38% more efficient and 24% less expensive to build and operate. The company has released specifications and mechanical drawings through the Open Compute Project.
Source: Energy Matters
Safety of Cadmium Based Solar Panels Questioned Again
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) is a commonly used material in thin film solar modules. Cadmium is a heavy metal and extremely dangerous. Cadmium fumes may cause flu like symptoms and more severe respiratory problems. Cadmium dust is even more toxic, leading to respiratory, liver and kidney problems that can be fatal. Some compounds containing cadmium are thought to be carcinogenic.
Cadmium telluride, while considered less dangerous in relation to acute exposure, is toxic if ingested, improperly handled or the dust inhaled.
In relation to solar panels, the CdTe is safe while encapsulated in the module, but if the panel is damaged and exposed to water, the cadmium telluride could leach into the water. Aside from this contaminated water entering the wider environment through stormwater runoff, this issue raises concerns particularly where rainwater is harvested from a rooftop for use within the building.
In an interview on CleanEnergyAuthority, Vice President of Technology for solar panel manufacturer REC, Trond Westgaard, said since cadmium telluride based panels are not officially considered a dangerous product, there is also a risk of them being mixed with other waste after being damaged or at the end of their serviceable life.
While even silicon based solar panels have their own problematic element - lead - Mr. Westgaard says tests have shown lead leaching potential of approximately 4 grams of lead per kilowatt installed compared to approximately 23 grams of cadmium per kilowatt installed for CdTe panels. Additionally, he said cadmium is considered 10 times more hazardous than lead.
Mr. Westgaard acknowledges the handling of CdTe panels in large solar farms may be closely monitored and recycling programs in place, but states REC is concerned with home solar power and medium scale solar installations that may not be subject to such controls. REC does not use cadmium telluride in any of its solar panels.
Earlier this year, Australian solar power solutions provider Energy Matters expressed similar concerns about cadmium panels, stating that while the company is open to the idea of offering CdTe based thin film solar panels at some point and have discussed their concerns with manufacturers, the issues of safety have not yet been addressed to their satisfaction.
Source: Energy Matters
Trina Solar Invests in Lower Cost Silicon
Researchers from The Australian National University in Canberra have found a way to use more abundant lower grade silicon components to generate electricity from sunlight.
Lead researcher Dr Daniel Macdonald says the breakthrough will increase efficiency and reduce consumer energy costs.
"Most solar cells made from silicon today use P-type silicon, which is more resistant to radiation in space," Dr Macdonald said.
"That's totally irrelevant for terrestrial applications."
The research highlights the benefits of N-type silicon, which is less affected by the impurities that reduce efficiency.
The ANU and one of China's largest solar energy manufacturing companies, Trina Solar have formed a partnership to commercialise the technology within 3 years.
"We believe that this project will allow us to take some of our best innovations from our laboratory and actually implement them in industry, so that people can put them on their rooftops."
Dr Macdonald says the new silicon cells will be cheaper to manufacture and he's confident the technology will drive down the cost of solar electricity by up to 10 per cent.
"In collaboration with Trina Solar .. we are aiming to develop 20 per cent solar cells. That compares with today's industry standard of typical P-type counterparts of around 18 per cent. Now that may not sound like a big increase, but effectively it means that for a solar module of the same surface area, you get 10 per cent more electricity out. That is a significant increment."
Dr Macdonald says the strategic partnership with Trina follows more than 12 months of talks, and he hopes it will endure.
"China will be the dominant manufacturing centre for photovoltaic modules in the foreseeable future, so that's a very valuable relationship for us."
The Federal Government is contributing $3 million towards the total $11 million project.
The Federal Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson says he is not worried about exporting the manufacturing of Australian breakthroughs overseas.
"As the pace of solar energy deployment actually accelerates globally it is imperative that Australia remains a leader in the field."
"We are not going to get thousands of jobs in manufacturing. We are going to actually concentrate on high tech innovation and in doing so create the capacity, create additional jobs in the installation of these opportunities throughout the length and breadth of Australia."
Dr Huang Qiang of the Chinese firm Trina Solar noted the auspicious date of today's announcement.
"This day is a very, very nice day!"
"(The numeral) eight in Chinese means fortune and growth. Two means two parties."
"This is the meaning of the day. We are so happy to work with ANU on this project and we have set up an Australian office."
The Federal Government agency, the Australian Solar Institute (ASI) says the collaboration is a vote of confidence for Australian research.
Jenny Goddard chairs the ASI board.
"Solar is the worlds fastest growing energy market, and global PV (photovoltaic) capacity has been increasing at an annual growth rate of 40% since 2000," Ms Goddard said.
"Trina provides the platform for the world market to witness Australian innovation, and opens the pathway we hope, for future opportunities."
She described ANU's solar energy research team as world leading.
The university has secured close to $18million in ASI grant funding to date.
Source: ABC News / by Adrienne Francis
Dye-Sensitized Cell Panel & Materials Revenues Projected to Reach $1.9 B by 2016
Revenues generated by solar panels using dye-sensitized cell (DSC) technology will reach $1.9 billion by 2016, according to a new report from NanoMarkets. The report identifies the new business opportunities that are emerging from the DSC sector and covers both on-grid and off-grid uses.
The report, "Dye Sensitized Cells: Materials, Applications and Opportunities," finds that projects with DSC-based building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) involving Pilkington and Tata Steel appear to have progressed well in the past year, suggesting a healthy market in the future. NanoMarkets projects that revenues from DSC-based BIPV will account for over 80% of the DSC market by 2016.
In addition, new and more cost-effective DSC materials are being developed. For example, costly ruthenium dye may eventually be replaced by chlorophyll derivatives, copper-based dyes and mixed "cocktails" of various dyes. Solid-state, printable and transparent electrolytes are also on their way to the marketplace. By 2016, the DSC panel industry is expected to consume more than $780 million in materials.
DSC represents a substantial opportunity for the building-materials industry to add PV capabilities to their premium tiles, siding and architectural glass, the report states. By 2016, building substrates of this kind are likely to represent a market worth around $500 million.
SOURCE: NanoMarkets
The report, "Dye Sensitized Cells: Materials, Applications and Opportunities," finds that projects with DSC-based building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) involving Pilkington and Tata Steel appear to have progressed well in the past year, suggesting a healthy market in the future. NanoMarkets projects that revenues from DSC-based BIPV will account for over 80% of the DSC market by 2016.
In addition, new and more cost-effective DSC materials are being developed. For example, costly ruthenium dye may eventually be replaced by chlorophyll derivatives, copper-based dyes and mixed "cocktails" of various dyes. Solid-state, printable and transparent electrolytes are also on their way to the marketplace. By 2016, the DSC panel industry is expected to consume more than $780 million in materials.
DSC represents a substantial opportunity for the building-materials industry to add PV capabilities to their premium tiles, siding and architectural glass, the report states. By 2016, building substrates of this kind are likely to represent a market worth around $500 million.
SOURCE: NanoMarkets
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
New Study Proves that PV Installations Contribute "Sizable" Value When Reselling Your Home
Although the premise that installing PV will add value to a home has long been promoted by installers and others in the industry, the new study - titled "An Analysis of the Effects of Residential Photovoltaic Energy Systems on Home Sales Prices in California" - confirms and quantifies this effect.
According to the lab, this research is the first to empirically explore the existence and magnitude of residential PV sales price impacts across a large number of homes and over a wide geographic area. Over the past few years, an increasing number of homes with PV systems have sold, particularly in California, but relatively little research has been performed to estimate the impacts of those PV systems on home sales prices.
Overall, the researchers found that homes with PV in California have sold for a premium, expressed in dollars per watt of installed PV, of approximately $3.9/W to $6.4/W.
"These average sales price premiums appear to be comparable with the average investment that homeowners have made to install PV systems in California, and of course, homeowners also benefit from energy bill savings after PV system installation and prior to home sale," says the report's lead author, Ben Hoen, a researcher at Berkeley Lab.
The $3.9/W-to-$6.4/W increase corresponds to an average home sales price premium of approximately $17,000 for a relatively new 3.1 kW PV system (the average size of PV systems in the Berkeley Lab data set), and compares to an average investment that homeowners have made to install PV systems in California of approximately $5/W over the 2001-2009 period.
"This is a sizable effect," says Ryan Wiser, a Berkeley Lab scientist and co-author. "This research might influence the decisions of homeowners considering installing a PV system and of home buyers considering buying a home with PV already installed. Even new-home builders that are contemplating PV as a component of their homes can benefit from this research."
The lab analyzed a dataset of more than 72,000 California homes that were sold between 2000 and mid-2009, approximately 2,000 of which had a PV system at the time of sale. The research controlled for a large number of factors that might influence results, such as housing market fluctuations, neighborhood effects, the age of the home, and the size of the home and the parcel on which it was located, the researchers note.
The resulting premiums associated with PV systems were consistent across a large number of model specifications and robustness tests. The research also showed that, as PV systems age, the premium enjoyed at the time of home sale decreases.
Additionally, existing homes with PV systems were found to have commanded a larger sales price premium than new homes with similarly sized PV systems.
"One reason for the disparity between existing and new homes with PV might be that new-home builders also gain value from PV as a market differentiator that speeds the home sales process, a factor not analyzed in the Berkeley Lab study," says Berkeley Lab researcher and co-author Peter Cappers. "More research is warranted to better understand these and related impacts."
The full report can be downloaded here.
Photo credit: SolarCity
BrightSource Energy Inc. Prepares for IPO
BrightSource Energy Inc., an Oakland, Calif.-headquartered solar thermal technology company, has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed initial public offering of shares of its common stock.
The company says that Goldman, Sachs & Co., Citi and Deutsche Bank Securities will act as book-running managers for the offering.
The number of shares to be sold in the proposed offering and the offering price have not yet been determined. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective.
Source: Solar Industry
The company says that Goldman, Sachs & Co., Citi and Deutsche Bank Securities will act as book-running managers for the offering.
The number of shares to be sold in the proposed offering and the offering price have not yet been determined. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective.
Source: Solar Industry
Trina Solar To Supply 30 MW Webberville Solar Project in Texas
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has closed financing and begun construction on the 30 MW Webberville Solar project, which will be located just outside Austin, Texas, and is scheduled to be operational by year-end.
Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. has been selected to construct the project and provide operations and maintenance services for the power plant for five years, FRV says. Once operational, the solar energy from the plant will provide electricity under a long-term power purchase agreement with Austin Energy for 25 years.
FRV has also partnered with Bayerische Landesbank, which has fully underwritten the construction debt for the project. With this team now in place, the construction of the Webberville Solar project, sited on Austin Energy-owned land in Webberville, Texas, is fully under way.
In order to maximize the solar energy output at the site, the solar plant will be constructed by mounting modules on a flat, single-axis tracking system, FRV notes. The project will deploy 270 W crystalline photovoltaic modules that FRV procured directly from Trina Solar.
Source: Solar Industry
Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. has been selected to construct the project and provide operations and maintenance services for the power plant for five years, FRV says. Once operational, the solar energy from the plant will provide electricity under a long-term power purchase agreement with Austin Energy for 25 years.
FRV has also partnered with Bayerische Landesbank, which has fully underwritten the construction debt for the project. With this team now in place, the construction of the Webberville Solar project, sited on Austin Energy-owned land in Webberville, Texas, is fully under way.
In order to maximize the solar energy output at the site, the solar plant will be constructed by mounting modules on a flat, single-axis tracking system, FRV notes. The project will deploy 270 W crystalline photovoltaic modules that FRV procured directly from Trina Solar.
Source: Solar Industry
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Organic Photovoltaics Not Likely To Play Big Role in Solar PV Market
Commercial uses for organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules will almost certainly materialize over the next decade, driven by unique form factors and the potential for lower costs, according to a new report from Lux Research.
However, OPV's comparatively poor conversion efficiencies and short lifetimes mean that it will not compete with conventional solar technologies, limiting its market potential. Lux Research projects an OPV market that reaches $159 million in 2020.
The report estimates prospective growth for OPV modules, which use organic (carbon-containing) polymers or molecules to convert light to electricity. The report calculates adoption potential for OPV's two main technology categories - bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPV devices and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) - in five different market segments: building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), developing world applications, defense, consumer electronics and signage.
“While part of OPV's appeal is the hope of low costs, we found it won’t beat crystalline silicon or inorganic thin film on cost per watt," says Alex Carter, a Lux Research associate and the report's lead author. "As a result, developers will focus on niche applications where OPV provides other capabilities like transparency and flexibility. There will be some success, but not the disruptive impact developers are proclaiming."
To estimate likely prospects for OPV through 2020, Lux Research calculated the total market size addressable by OPV in the five segments listed above. It then projected potential market share for both BHJ OPV and DSSCs.
OPV is expected to reach $159 million on the back of BIPV and defense. Lux Research projects an OPV market reaching 97 MW and $159 million in 2020. Here, defense signifies the largest market, with BIPV close behind. BHJ technology dominates early, but as flexible DSSC devices mature, these devices are expected to gain to capture 53% of the market in 2020.
BIPV provides niches for both BHJ and DSSC, Lux Research adds. The report examines three variations of BIPV: flexible membranes for roofing and shade structures (e.g., awnings) solar shingles for pitched roofing, and rigid windows and fade elements. BIPV overall will grow to 27 MW of demand and a $44 million market, with around two-thirds of that based on flexible membranes and most of the balance from windows and facades. BHJ takes 47% of the market here in megawatts, but only 39% in revenues.
Defense applications are driven by portable power for soldiers. The ease of integrating OPV into certain flexible structures and the ability to pattern it could help set it apart for some applications, such as integration into tents and even uniforms, and allow it to gain some market share, the report says. In defense applications, OPV will expand to 34 MW in 2020, pulling in $64 million in revenues - split 60:40 between DSSC and BHJ.
SOURCE: Lux Research
View: There could be some surprises however - like solar glass that could boost OPV sales.
However, OPV's comparatively poor conversion efficiencies and short lifetimes mean that it will not compete with conventional solar technologies, limiting its market potential. Lux Research projects an OPV market that reaches $159 million in 2020.
The report estimates prospective growth for OPV modules, which use organic (carbon-containing) polymers or molecules to convert light to electricity. The report calculates adoption potential for OPV's two main technology categories - bulk heterojunction (BHJ) OPV devices and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) - in five different market segments: building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), developing world applications, defense, consumer electronics and signage.
“While part of OPV's appeal is the hope of low costs, we found it won’t beat crystalline silicon or inorganic thin film on cost per watt," says Alex Carter, a Lux Research associate and the report's lead author. "As a result, developers will focus on niche applications where OPV provides other capabilities like transparency and flexibility. There will be some success, but not the disruptive impact developers are proclaiming."
To estimate likely prospects for OPV through 2020, Lux Research calculated the total market size addressable by OPV in the five segments listed above. It then projected potential market share for both BHJ OPV and DSSCs.
OPV is expected to reach $159 million on the back of BIPV and defense. Lux Research projects an OPV market reaching 97 MW and $159 million in 2020. Here, defense signifies the largest market, with BIPV close behind. BHJ technology dominates early, but as flexible DSSC devices mature, these devices are expected to gain to capture 53% of the market in 2020.
BIPV provides niches for both BHJ and DSSC, Lux Research adds. The report examines three variations of BIPV: flexible membranes for roofing and shade structures (e.g., awnings) solar shingles for pitched roofing, and rigid windows and fade elements. BIPV overall will grow to 27 MW of demand and a $44 million market, with around two-thirds of that based on flexible membranes and most of the balance from windows and facades. BHJ takes 47% of the market here in megawatts, but only 39% in revenues.
Defense applications are driven by portable power for soldiers. The ease of integrating OPV into certain flexible structures and the ability to pattern it could help set it apart for some applications, such as integration into tents and even uniforms, and allow it to gain some market share, the report says. In defense applications, OPV will expand to 34 MW in 2020, pulling in $64 million in revenues - split 60:40 between DSSC and BHJ.
SOURCE: Lux Research
View: There could be some surprises however - like solar glass that could boost OPV sales.
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