 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Signet Solar Enters Fast Growing Solar Energy Market
Palo Alto CA (SPX) May 15, 2007 Signet Solar has announced its entry into the fastest growing segment of the renewable energy market with cutting-edge silicon thin film solar technology. The company is strongly positioned to accelerate widespread adoption of solar energy by establishing an industry-leading solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing cost structure, targeting grid parity by 2010. For over a year, Signet Solar explored various options and selected the solar PV technology with the greatest potential for significant cost reduction and very large scale manufacturing. Signet Solar was founded by a team of semiconductor technologists and manufacturing executives with a proven track record of commercializing new technologies. Capitalizing on this significant expertise, Signet Solar will design and produce photovoltaic (PV) modules - devices that convert the sun's rays into electricity - for applications such as solar farms, large commercial installations, building integrated photovoltaics, and remote habitation. Dr. Prabhu Goel, Chairman and Founder of Signet Solar, stated, "We are excited to apply our extensive experience to this new market. The world is experiencing a massive energy challenge - pressured by fossil fuel depletion, global warming, and increased energy demands in emerging economies. Our vision is to make solar energy a viable choice for a sustainable energy future." Signet Solar is establishing its first production line and its research and development headquarters near Dresden, Germany. The company has signed a contract with U.S.-based Applied Materials, a global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology solutions, for a fully-integrated thin film silicon solar PV module production line using the largest glass substrates (greater than five square meters) in the industry. "Solar module and semiconductor manufacturing are closely related," said Dr. Mark Pinto, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Applied's New Business and New Products Group. "We believe that Signet Solar is strongly-positioned to apply its management's extensive expertise in semiconductor technology and manufacturing to optimize state-of-the-art thin film solar module production. We are excited to have this contract from Signet Solar." Signet Solar plans to ramp its production using the Applied Materials equipment line by mid-2008. The Research and Development center will focus on developing and implementing innovative product designs, device architectures and manufacturing methods. The production line near Dresden will be replicated subsequently at locations worldwide. According to Dr. Rajeeva Lahri, Co-Founder, President and CEO of Signet Solar, "The real driver for the $10 billion solar PV industry is cost-per-watt. We will combine U.S. technology and German engineering to achieve a benchmark PV module manufacturing cost structure with world-class quality and reliability." Signet Solar customers will include PV system integrators and installers of solar farms for power generation. The large glass substrates and relatively lower cost of thin film modules are ideal for large scale PV system installations, building-integrated photovoltaics and remote habitation. 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 developing nations. Related Links Signet Solar All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com
Argonne And Northwestern Seek ANSER To Solar Energy Challenges
Argonne IL (SPX) May 14, 2007Helping the world meet increasing energy needs through solar energy will be the goal of a new research center established by the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University. The Argonne-Northwestern Solar Energy Research Center, or ANSER Center, will combine and expand the research interests of both institutions to address the grand scientific challenges posed by the need for economically viable solar energy use. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
