I wish Nanosolar (nanosolar.com) would give tours of their fab site!

[truthisfreedom]

check these guys out!

http://nanosolar.com/cache/CNNvideo.wmv

http://nanosolar.com

[quiet.american]

1. Just found out about this company today, got on their mailing list!

Hmn -- maybe we subscribe to some of the same newsletters. :)

[JohnWxy]

6. Energy Conversion Devices is another company making flexible solar panels:

http://www.ovonic.com/PDFs/PressReleases/united-solar_ovonic_signs_agreement_sit_092906.pdf

About United Solar Ovonic:

United Solar Ovonic, building on technology invented and pioneered by ECD Ovonics, is the world leader in thin-film amorphous photovoltaics. ECD's United Solar Ovonic high-volume production equipment is the world's largest and most advanced machine for the manufacture of thin-film amorphous-silicon alloy solar cells and related products that are used for a variety of applications. Because of characteristics unique to the United Solar Ovonic solar cell technology, such as lightweight, ruggedness and flexibility, it is ideal as building-integrated photovoltaic roofing systems for residential and industrial customers. ECD Ovonics holds the basic patents covering the continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing of thin-film amorphous-PressRelease silicon alloy multi-junction solar cells and related products. More information is available at www.unisolar.com.
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Their solar sheets, which can be put on house roofs like roofing shingles actually are able to generate electrical current on cloudy days!

http://www.ovonic.com/index.cfm





http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2006-02-19-bush-energy-michigan_x.htm?csp=34


The current plant makes enough solar sheets in a year to generate about 25 megawatts of electric power. The Uni-Solar expansion is under construction nearby, and Energy Conversion Devices announced last week that it planned a further increase in capacity to 300 megawatts by 2010.

Unlike conventional solar panels that use heavy, stiff glass, the sheets made at the plant are thin, light and pliable. They can be used to replace normal roof shingles and generate electric power from the sun.

In addition to alternative energy, Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices also is working on information technology applications.
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Their solar sheets, which can be put on house roofs like roofing shingles actually are able to generate electrical current on cloudy days!






http://www.ovonic.com/index.cfm

[quiet.american]

7. Thanks! n/t

[Old and In the Way]

2. Interesting...thanks for posting.

Definitely a breakthrough....payback in 2 months. Impressive. Looks like a very good process for high volume efficiencies. I didn't see any real data on the electrical generation capabilities (watts/sf)...any idea? Seems to me that if they could replace asphalt shingles with this technology, it's a real win-win-win.

[skids]

3. These will not meet CIGS maximum W/square foot efficiency...

...I think DayStar holds the crown for getting this technology efficient on the high teens or low 20% (of 1000W/square meter max solar flux).

These will likely be in the low teens, but cheap, and that's what really matters for a whole lot of people with big roofs and big electricity bills.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Any idea what a cost and watts/hr for a roof area, say, 2000 sft?

[skids]

5. No it depends...

Being that demand far outweighs supply, especially once you cross the $3.50/W or so area, the company may elect to sell at or just below market rates and funnel the profits into expansion. This is more or less what Evergreen seems to be doing. So it's all a matter of how fast savings are passed on to the consumer.

[haymark]

8. KICK