Acciona Energy

5. January 2009 by Mykel Pereira.

 Acciona Energy

In 19 countries

The Energy Division of ACCIONA has over 200 companies in 19 countries.

The corporate purpose of most of them is the development of wind parks and the production of electricity from them. Within the wind power sector the group also has manufacturing companies that produce wind turbines.

ACCIONA Energy also has companies that operate in the thermolectric field (biomass and solar thermoelectric), solar (photovoltaic and thermal), biofuels and others.

About

World leader in renewables

ACCIONA Energía is a world leader in the renewables sector. The company has taken on the mission of demonstrating the technical and economic viability of a new energy model on the basis of criteria of sustainability.

ACCIONA Energía is present in the main clean energies, in line with their different levels of maturity and profitability. It focuses its activities on wind power, in which it is the largest developer and constructor of windparks in the world.

It is also present in other electric power generation technologies based on renewable energy sources -biomass, small hydro and solar-, and also in the manufacture of wind turbines (designed in-house) and the production and marketing of biofuels. It also has assets in the field of cogeneration.

ACCIONA Energía is currently carrying out research projects to produce hydrogen from wind power, to manufacture more efficient wind turbines and to optimize the production of biofuels.

The company has a workforce of over 1,000 people, one of the biggest and most highly qualified in the clean energies field.

The solidity of a great group

ACCIONA Energía is the energy division of ACCIONA, a leading group in infrastructures and services aimed at sustainable development and social welfare.

ACCIONA is a homogeneous and integrated business group with a focus on operations with high added value that enable it to create synergies and make profitable investments in strategic sectors.

Technology

Wind energy

A global leader in wind energy

ACCIONA Energy focuses its activity on wind energy, a field in which it has so far installed 5,577 MW at 30 September 2008. It has built 200 windparks for itself and other companies with over 5,500 turbines, making it the world leader in the development and construction of windparks. At the same time, it has 900 MW under construction and around 15,000 MW in development.

The wind power installed by ACCIONA Energy in Spain amounts to 4,471 MW.

On all five continents

As well as Spain, there are windparks installed by ACCIONA in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, Greece, Hungary, France, India, Portugal, South Korea, Mexico and Morocco. Of these, 142 windparks (4,105 MW) are owned by the Group, with an attributable capacity of 3,285 MW. The 58 windparks built for other companies account for 1,472 MW.

ACCIONA is currently building windparks in most of the above mentioned countries.

Current projects are being carried out in the United Kingdom, Croacia, Poland and Slovenia.

Production

In 2007, ACCIONA Energy produced a total of 7,494 GWh of wind energy, of which 6,316 GWh were produced in Spain and 1,178 GWh in other countries. Attributable wind energy generation reached 5,570 GWh.

In the first nine months of 2008, the wind energy production was 5,840 GWh (4,784 GWh in Spain and 1,056 GWh in other countries). The attributable wind energy generation was 4,620 GWh.

Mini hydro

19 small hydro plants in operation

ACCIONA Energy has 19 small hydro power plants located in different river basins in Navarre (Spain). Their total installed capacity is 58.79 MW.

In 2007 hydroelectric production from these plants reached 193 million kilowatt-hours. Until September 2008, the power output was 182 GWh.

ACCIONA also handles the operation and maintenance of another six hidroelectrical plants.

Biomass

Three plants in operation and seven under development

ACCIONA Energy is present in the field of biomass with three plants that total 33 MW of installed capacity. They produced around 240 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year.

The largest is a 25 MW cereal straw-fired plant in Sangüesa (Navarre), a pioneering facility in southern Europe in the exploitation of this source of renewable energy. Its average annual output is around 200 million kWh.

In addition to the Sangüesa plant, ACCIONA Energy has biomass plants in Talosa (province of Soria) and Pinasa (Cuenca), each one with 4 MW capacity.

New projects

The company is giving a boost to the biomass business in Spain. It plans to install seven new plants in different Spanish regions, which will be entering into operation between 2010 and 2012. They total 110 MW of capacity, 306 million euros investment and an estimated annual output of 880 million kWh. These facilities will represent 175 direct and 515 indirect new jobs, mainly devoted to primary sector.

In the region of Castilla y León, it is developing three new plants summing 55 MW of installed capacity and represent an investment of 140 million euros. The three facilities -located in Almazán (Soria) -15 MW-, Briviesca (Burgos) -15 MW- and Valencia de don Juan (León) -25 MW- will be participated by the Regional Energy Board (EREN).

Altogether the three plants will produce around 440 million kWh a year, equivalent to the demand of 180,000 homes. They will also create 300 jobs and will avoid the emission of 423,000 tonnes of CO2.

The plants planned in Castilla-La Mancha are located in Mohorte (Cuenca) and Alcázar de San Juan (Ciudad Real), with a total investment of 86 M€.

ACCIONA also projects to install a 15 MW biomass plant in Miajadas (Cáceres) and a 10 MW one in Utiel (Valencia)

Solar energy

Leaders in solar energy

ACCIONA works with all three solar technologies - concentrating solar power (CSP), photovoltaic and solar hot water - amounting to a total owned capacity of 194 MW, of which 113 MW are owned by the company.

The company has so far installed 81.32 MW for other companies, of which 66.18 MW are photovoltaic, 14.14 MW are solar heating and 1 MW are CSP.

Technology	Owned capacity	Capacity for other companies	Total capacity
CSP	64.00	1	65.00
Hot water	0.72	14.14	14.86

The largest concentrating solar power plant in 17 years

In June 2007, in the state of Nevada (USA), ACCIONA connected to the grid the the largest CSP facility of its type in the world in the last 17 years: the 64 MW Nevada Solar One plant. The company has a 97.7% stake in the facility, which is operational since June 2007.

ACCIONA has various CSP plants under development in Spain - all of which have a capacity of 50 MW - and is also involved in major projects in the south-western United States.

The leading developer of photovoltaic energy in Spain

The photovoltaic capacity installed by ACCIONA at 30 September 2008 amounts to 114.44 MW. Through its subsidiary ACCIONA Solar, the Group has developed the concept of “huertas solares” (solar gardens), a system that has allowed more than 3.500 people to become owners of photovoltaic installations.

The “huertas solares” installed by the company - 18 in total - amount to a capacity of 61,5 MW and are located in diferent Spanish regions.

ACCIONA is currently building what will be the biggest solar photovoltaic plant in the world in Moura (Portugal), with a capacity of 46 MW. It is expected to be fully grid-connected by December 2008.

Solar hot water

In the field of thermal solar energy (solar hot water), ACCIONA Solar has installed 14 MW to date, virtually all of which has been for other companies.

The company is the leader in the installation of this technology in Spain.

Energy efficient building

ACCIONA is also involved in the field of energy efficient buildings, incorporating solar technology as much as possible.

The most notable example of this is ACCIONA Solar’s head office, a building which consumes 52% less energy than a conventional building of the same characteristics, thanks to the use of numerous measures for using energy efficiently and making energy savings, covering 48% of its needs from photovoltaic solar power - electricity; thermal solar power - climate control; and biodiesel.

This means that the office is classified as a “zero emissions” building, as it can cover its energy requirements without emitting CO2.

Biofuels

In biodiesel and bioethanol

ACCIONA Energy works in the area of biofuels for transport, a sector which represents over 30% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the OCDE countries and 50% of the global oil demand (67% in the European Union).

The company has already presence in the field of biodiesel, with a 70,000-tonnes production plant in Navarra, and a 200,000-tonnes one under construction in Bilbao. It also owns a 26,000-tonnes bioethanol plant in Castilla-La Mancha (central Spain).

The European Commission has set the objective of a 5.75% quota for biofuels in road transport consumption by 2010. Spain has adopted that goal by establishing a 5.83% quota in the Plan for Renewable Energies, approved by the Government in 2005. The EU plans to increase that goal up to 10% in 2020.

Wind turbines

ACCIONA Windpower, a global supplier

ACCIONA Windpower, is the ACCIONA’s subsidiary company that works on the design, manufacture, field assembly and marketing of wind turbines,  based on the experience of the group to which it belongs in the operation and maintenance of wind power facilities worldwide. It produces 1,500 kW and 3,000 kW wind turbines which have been designed from the point of view of the wind farm operator interested in achieving the best performance throughout the working life of the machine.In 2007 ACCIONA Windpower produced 582 turbines (873 MW). This figure is higher than the company’s production in the three previous years and duplicates the 2006 figure (426 MW), thus consolidating its position in the world ranking of major wind turbine manufacturers. The company expects to finish this year with over 1,500 MW of new capacity installed.

For years after having launched the AW-1500, one of the most reliable wind turbines in the market of the megawatt segment, ACCIONA Windpower introduced the new AW-3000 at Windpower 2008 Exhibition in Houston (Texas, USA) last June. It is based on the same concept of strong, reliable and durable wind turbine as its successful predecessor and extent our capacity to meet the rising market expectations.

Four wind turbine assembly plants

ACCIONA Windpower has four wind turbine manufacturing facilities, two in Spain, one in China and one in the USA. Their total annual production capacity is 2,625 MW.

ACCIONA Windpower also has an assembly plant for hubs and other components in Toledo (Spain) and will build a blade production plant in Navarre (Spain) in 2008; its opening is planned for the end of the same year.

Turbines in wind parks in twelve countries

By the end of 2008 ACCIONA Windpower turbines will have been installed in wind parks in twelve countries: Spain, the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, China, South Korea, Italy, Greece, France, the UK and Poland.

A good part of these projects have been (or will be) carried out by other companies with which ACCIONA Windpower has signed contracts for the supply of turbines. This modality will increase over the next few years.

Working on design since 1997

The technology developed by ACCIONA Windpower is the result of more than fourteen years of knowledge accumulated by one of the most technical teams in the world on the operation and maintenance of wind parks.

The ACCIONA Group’s experience and acumen gained from the management of wind parks containing thousands of wind turbines of different technologies installed in various countries has been the cornerstone to the succesful development of our technology.

Before launching series production of the AW 1500 the company installed three prototypes of a 1300 kW in 2000-2002, followed by twenty units of the same model in a wind park in Navarre.

Work on the series production of the 1.5 MW machine started in 2004. To date, over 2,000 units have been assemblied.

Posted in Biomass Techs, Spain, Biofuel Techs, Solar Techs, Wind Techs | No Comments »

LDK Solar Co., Ltd.

26. October 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Factory：Hi - Tech industrial Park Xinyu Jiangxi P. R. C. ZIP：338032 WEB: www.ldksolar.com E-mail: ir@ldksolar.com ; sales@ldksolar.com LDK  Solar USA,Inc. 1290 Oakmead Parkway ,Suite 306 Sunnyvale ,   CA 94085   USA TEL: +1-408-245-0858 Fax: +1-408 245 8802

About As the worldwide demand for electricity increases and the historical reliance on fossil fuels is being challenged by increasing environmental awareness, the focus has turned to renewable energy sources. As a reliable and versatile form of renewable energy, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are expected to become a dominant energy source. According to market research, PV is expected to account for over 50% of the world’s total electricity generated by renewable energy sources by 2070. LDK Solar is a pure-play manufacturer dedicated solely to the design, development, manufacturing and distribution of multicrystalline solar wafers. Wafers are the principal raw material used to produce solar cells, which are devices capable of converting sunlight into electricity. Their manufacturing process is based on proprietary production processes utilizing both virgin and recyclable polysilicon for ingot production. Through this proprietary process, they are able to offer their global solar cell and module manufacturer customers considerable cost advantages while maintaining quality and performance. LDK Solars also provides wafering services to both multicrystalline and monocrystalline solar cell and module manufacturers. LDK Solar made their first commercial shipment of solar wafers in April 2006 and have quickly become one of the leading manufacturers in the industry, with their annual production capacity expected to increase to 400 megawatts, or MW by the end of 2007 from 215 MW as of March 31, 2007. Their headquarters and their large scale, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities are located in Hi-Tech Industrial Park, Xinyu city, Jiangxi province in the People’s Republic of China. Products LDK Solar manufactures and sells multicrystalline solar wafers. They currently produce and sell multicrystalline wafers in two principal sizes of 125 by 125 mm and 156 by 156 mm, with thicknesses from 180 and 240 microns. LDK also provides wafering services to both monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar cell and module manufactures, which provide us their own ingots to be sliced. They charge a fee based on the number of wafers to be sliced. The main technological process of multi-crystalline wafers contains: ingot and wire saw. Strategic relationships with world class PV equipment manufacturers GT Solar(USA) HCT (Switzerland), support LDK on equipment, process and technology.Cooperate with Shanghai Jiaotong University formed “Shanghai Jiaotong University-LDK Solar R&D Lab” engages in industry leading or LDK R&D projects, endeavor together toreach state-level lab, supply technology support for LDK to develop into a world class wafer manufacture. Cooperate with Nanchang University formed “Nanchang University-LDK Solar Research Center”, research in projects such as wafer purification, crystallization improvement, and wire breakage reduction etc. Ingot         1、Muticrystalline DSS capacity : 275kg/ingot （standard） 2、Ingot size: 690mm（L）× 690mm（W）×240mm（H） Multi-crystalline wafer Conductivity type：P Dimension: 103×103±0.5mm ，125×125±0.5mm，150×150±0.5mm，156×156±0.5mm，210×210±0.5mm Shape：Square Resistivity：0.5Ω/cm-3Ω/cm Lifetime： ≥2μs Oxygen concentration ≤ 1×1018atom/cm3 Carbon concentration ≤ 5×1016atom/cm3 Thickness：200μm± 20μm, 220μm± 20μm,240μm± 20μm TTV：≤ 50 μm BOW：≤ 30 μm Saw mark：≤ 10 μm Chips：L≤1mm, D≤1mm,Max. 2 places Crack and pinhole： no cracks and pin holes visible with the naked eyes 125×125 150×150 156×156 210×210 Mono-crystalline wafer Lifetime: ≥10μs BOW：≤35 μm Resistivity: 0.5—3，3—6，6—10Ω·cm Oxygen concentration ≤ 1×1018atom/cm3 Carbon concentration ≤ 5×1016atom/cm3 Dimension: 125mmX125mm±0.5mm ,156mmX156mm±0.5mm Thickness: 200μm ,220μm, 240μm(±20μm) TTV：≤ 50 μm Squareness Angle Variety : ＜0.6mm Squareness Angle: 90°±0.25° Crystal direction : ≤100≥ 125×125 156×156

Posted in China, California, Solar Techs, USA | 1 Comment »

Ausra, Inc.

26. October 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Ausra, Inc.

Ausra, Inc.
2585 East Bayshore Rd.
Palo Alto, CA 94303

phone: 650.424.9300
fax: 650.494.3893

Email:
General Information: info@ausra.comAbout
Ausra develops and deploys utility-scale solar technologies to serve global electricity needs in a dependable, market competitive, environmentally responsible manner.

Amid growing public demand for clean energy, Ausra offers solar thermal electric power stations that provide large-scale low-cost, reliable, renewable energy. Unlike competing approaches, Ausra’s technology is proven, easily manufactured and installed, and scalable to high volume.

Ausra’s zero-carbon power plants generate electricity at current market prices for fossil-fired power without the emissions caused by burning fuels. Solar concentrators boil water with focused sunlight, generating high-pressure steam that drives conventional turbine generators. Low-cost thermal energy storage systems now under development by Ausra will allow solar electric power to be generated on demand, day and night.

Electric utilities in the U.S. and worldwide are under growing pressure to expand their deliveries of clean, renewable power. The Ausra team brings together expertise in solar energy research, engineering, manufacturing, power project development and finance to address this need. The company designs, manufactures and deploys low-cost, large-scale, solar electric power stations, selling electric power at prices competitive with today’s fossil-fired generation.

Ausra’s core technology, the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar collector and steam generation system, was originally conceived in the early 1990s at Sydney University. It was first commercialized by Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd. in 2004 in Australia and is now being refined and built at large scale by Ausra around the world.

CLFR technology has significant advantages in cost, scalability and emissions profile. Ausra develops large-scale power projects incorporating CLFR solar fields, and helps utilities generate clean energy for millions of customers.

Innovation in Action

• Research and Development: Ausra’s core group of chemists, physicists and engineers are working on optics, coatings, materials and manufacturing processes to improve the performance and reduce the cost of solar collector systems, thermal energy storage systems and power plant cooling systems. Their ongoing refinements to Ausra’s technology will continue to reduce costs and extend Ausra’s leadership in these fields.
• Engineering: Ausra’s engineering managers and engineers come from a variety of disciplines across the electric power industry. The team optimizes Ausra’s existing technologies for production, and brings new technologies from R&D into volume manufacturing. Ausra partners with leading consulting engineering firms to test and verify energy production and lifecycle performance of its plants.
• Manufacturing: Ausra’s approach to solar plant production emphasizes manufacturing facilities located near power plants, low-cost commodity materials (steel, glass and concrete), and mass produced components. Ausra operates its own production facilities for the manufacture of its solar collectors to deliver the highest performance at lowest possible system costs.
• Project Management: Ausra draws experts from many sectors of the energy industry to manage land permits, project finance and power purchase agreements. The team has a strong track record of success with multiple generations of technologies.

Solar Thermal Electric Power is Energy Independence and Security
We have a secure source of electric power with guaranteed stable prices, no emissions, and the ability to scale to meet all our needs. With a 20-year track record of over 99 percent availability, solar thermal electric power has proven to be a dependable source of electric power for America’s growing energy needs. Solar power is entirely domestically produced, is protected against fuel price and availability fluctuations, and is secure against future costs of carbon emissions.

Ausra’s innovations in collector design dramatically reduce the cost of solar thermal generation equipment and bring solar

power to prices directly competitive with fossil fuel power.

Using Ausra’s current solar technologies, all U.S. electric power, day and night, can be generated using a land area smaller than 92 by 92 miles.

Ausra’s business will benefit local economies by bringing “green collar” manufacturing and operating jobs to rural communities. By delivering clean, reliable energy at market-competitive prices, Ausra will help meet America’s growing needs for climate-friendly power while maintaining consumer-friendly prices.

Posted in California, Solar Techs, USA | No Comments »

Sopogy

23. September 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Sopogy

Corporate Solar Solutions Center
2660 Waiwai Loop
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
US Toll Free: (866) 767-6491, (866-Sopogy1)
International Phone: (808) 237-2409
FAX: (808) 356-0565

West Coast Solar Solutions Center
1735 Technology Drive, Suite 400
San Jose, California 95110
US Toll Free: (866) 767-6491, (866-Sopogy1)
FAX: (408) 351-8883

Southwest USA Solar Solutions Center
2942 N 24^th Street, Suite 114
Phoenix, AZ 85016
US Toll Free: (866) 767-6491, (866-Sopogy1)
FAX: (602) 391-2000What They Do
Sopogy is a leader in MicroCSP technologies that bring the economics of proven large scale Concentrating Power Systems (CSP) to the distributed generation markets. MicroCSP technologies are used to create Process Heat, Solar Air Conditioning or Electrical Power. For more information on the technology visit our How It Works page.

About

Originally founded in 2002 at the Energy Laboratories an energy concept incubator of Energy Industries, Sopogy is focused at bringing a new renewable energy technology to the market. The future is clean power, green systems and LEED™ smart buildings. The Sopogy energy system is enabling the solar energy revolution and for our customers “every day is a Sopogy day™”.

Philosophy
Sopogy is dedicated to helping their customers achieve their renewable energy goals. Using their solar energy systems to produce electricity, process heat or solar A/C we maximize energy production while minimizing costs.

Mission
Sopogy’s mission is to invent, manufacture and sell the world’s most innovative and affordable solar collectors. Their company strives to become part of the solution to global problems including climate change, energy security and sustainability.

Goals:

* Establish a global solar energy brand.
* Make solar energy competitive to fossil fuel energy worldwide.
* Achieve entrepreneurial success.
* Create solar solutions that improve the quality of life for all human kind.
* Bring order and simplicity to the chaos which is the current solar power business.

Technology

Sopogy MicroCSP technologies present a new and unique approach to harnessing the power of the sun.

Posted in Hawaii, California, Solar Techs, USA, Arizona | No Comments »

FTL Solar

23. September 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

FTL Solar

About
Todd Dalland and Robert Lerner, founders of FTL Solar have invested over 10 years to become the leaders in tensile structure products integrated with flexible, thin-film photovoltaics.

The Company’s focus on the development of proprietary intellectual property, patents, copyrights and trade secrets has been and will continue to be a cornerstone of a successful approach to market exclusivity. Dalland and Lerner hold numerous patents and patents pending, including photovoltaic solar power structures, a photovoltaic solar battery charger and various tensile structure shelter designs. Ongoing R&D continuously generates new patents and copyrighted intellectual property for strategic products. Additionally, the Company specializes in developing patentable processes for integrating flexible solar PV cells with structural fabrics.

FTL Solar is an independent spin-off of FTL Design Engineering Studio, founded by Todd Dalland (1977 to 2006), and joined by Ross Dalland (1977 to 1983), Ray Gill (1977 to 1978), Nicholas Goldsmith (1978 to 2006), Denis Hector (1979 to 1983), Buro Happold (1992 to 1998), Robert Lerner (1995 to 2006), Bill Lenart (1996 to 2006) and Mercedes Gonzalez (1996 to 2006). Several hundred projects were completed from 1977 to 2006.

FTL Design Engineering Studio’s product designs patented by Dalland and Lerner cumulatively represent over US$2 Billion in sales.

Product

The world’s first portable solar-powered pavilions and portable solar farms…

With FTL Solar’s thin film tensile structures, harnessing the sun’s energy has never been easier. Beautifully engineered and aesthetically striking, FTL Solar’s PowerMods® are quick to install, disassemble, fold up and transport to anywhere on Earth.

FTL Solar’s unique patent-pending products are the first and only pre-fabricated, mass produced photovoltaic (PV) tensile structures in the world. Created by founders, Todd Dalland and Robert Lerner, these innovative structures are an expression of function and form.

The structures integrate thin film PV with super strength fabric to create architecturally refined solar canopies, arrays and enclosures that turn sunlight into electricity. As on-site, “off-the-grid” power plants, they produce electricity that can be used immediately, stored in batteries or sold back to the grid.

FTL Solar’s PowerMods® provide shelter while powering construction tools, lights, fans, water purifiers, medical equipment, pumps, refrigeration units, and communication centers with radios, cell phones and computers.

The potential of FTL Solar products has caught the eye of governments, businesses, and public and private institutions.  They can be used as car parks, battery charging stations, disaster relief shelters, communication command centers, military bases, medical units, temporary housing, research posts and energy pods for small villages.

In remote regions, renewable energy achieved through FTL Solar products can eliminate the need to transport and operate generators, burn kerosene or other fossil fuels – all of which pose health risks to people and damage to their environment.

Beyond the ease of transport, installation and disposal, FTL Solar PowerMods® can outperform conventional crystalline PV panels in certain diffuse light conditions. This combination of amorphous silicon based thin film and tensile structures is suited for unique conditions and applications.

 

Posted in Solar Techs | No Comments »

The OptiSolar, Inc.

5. September 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

The OptiSolar, Inc.

31302 Huntwood Avenue
Hayward, CA 94544
Phone: 510.401.5800
Fax: 510.401.5859

About
OptiSolar manufactures photovoltaic (PV) modules and produces power from their own large-scale solar farms. Their innovative manufacturing processes, technologies, and management strength are at the core of the OptiSolar Advantage.

OptiSolar’s combination of proprietary manufacturing processes and innovative design yields affordable, durable, amorphous silicon thin-film solar PV panels that significantly reduce the cost of clean solar power. Amorphous silicon PV panels have been successfully used for over 20 years. Their technology helps utility companies meet their customers’ daytime power demand and increases renewable energy supplies while reducing greenhouse emissions.

OptiSolar’s management team has extensive experience in the energy, solar, high-technology, and manufacturing sectors. This unique combination enables continuous innovation, efficient manufacturing, and the consistent supply of large-scale solar power to the energy industry.

Founded in 2005, OptiSolar is a fast-growing California-based company with hundreds of employees. OptiSolar has established its R&D facilities and manufacturing operations in Hayward, California. We are on the fast track to provide clean, renewable PV solar into the global energy mix now . . . to ensure a cleaner future for our children.

Business

A vertically integrated, low-cost solar energy producer, OptiSolar manufactures solar panels, and designs, develops, finances, owns and operates large-scale solar farms for the generation and delivery of clean, renewable solar-powered electricity.

This vertical integration from design and manufacture through to installation and operation of OptiSolar-owned solar farms allows them to provide solar electricity at a low cost.

As the world embraces renewable energy technologies, such as solar power, OptiSolar is committed to delivering competitively-priced solar electricity from their solar farms to the power grid.

Environment-FriendlyOptiSolar’s panels are constructed with highly-available and inexpensive materials with long-term reliability in outdoor environments. OptiSolar systems are an environmentally sensitive method of producing power, containing no toxic materials, utilizing essentially no moving parts, consuming no fuel and creating zero emissions. The materials that make up the solar farms — mostly glass, metal, silicon and concrete — are recyclable.

OptiSolar’s Large-Scale Solar Farms

OptiSolar’s large-scale solar farm projects contain millions of amorphous PV solar cells that convert sunlight to electricity. Their solar farms meet utility customer demand by producing their greatest amounts of electricity on hot, sunny summer days, when electricity demand often reaches its peak. Power generation sites are selected based on environmental considerations, the amount of available sunshine, and distance to power lines. Their construction teams mount the PV panels in rows near ground level, minimizing visual impact. OptiSolar is committed to safe, efficient and site-friendly installation of the systems on their solar farms.

OptiSolar’s farms operate with little maintenance after the initial setup. Electricity from their panels is interconnected to the electricity distribution and transmission system, just like any other generation source. Operation is virtually silent, with only a slight hum due to electrical equipment.

Posted in California, Solar Techs, USA | No Comments »

6N Silicon, Inc.

5. September 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

6N Silicon, Inc.

6074 Shawson Drive
Mississauga, ON
L5T 1E6

P: 905-795-7800
F: 905-795-7814

About
6N Silicon was founded in September of 2006 by Scott Nichol. With his metal processing expertise, Scott identified an opportunity to bring an entirely new approach to the purification of silicon for solar power. He realized that new metallurgical skill could help address two fundamental industry challenges — the current silicon shortage as well as the long-term industry need to meet grid parity cost levels. Scott was attracted by the exciting nature of this industry and its critical environmental importance. By helping address these industry issues, 6N can materially contribute towards a solution for the world’s environmental challenges.

Headquartered in the Toronto area, 6N Silicon is in the heart of Canada’s metal processing industry and is surrounded by Canada’s extensive metal processing knowledge. 6N has benefited from access to considerable industry experience in processing other metals and applying collective skills to refine the 6N solution. The company has developed a proprietary process for purifying inexpensive, readily available metallurgical grade silicon into solar grade silicon using low cost metallurgical processing. 6N’s silicon purification process provides a revolutionary approach to the production of solar grade silicon for the photovoltaic industry.

6N Silicon’s mission is to become the leading global supplier of solar grade silicon to the solar industry. 6N’s goal is to be the first company to market with an affordable solar grade of silicon that does not require any mixing with electronic grade silicon to maintain optimum cell performance.

Solar Silicon

In dramatically short supply, polysilicon is the largest single cost component of a solar module.

In the past, scrap silicon from the semiconductor industry was used to make solar cells. Rapid growth in the solar industry has caused the silicon demand to exceed this supply of semiconductor scrap. The industry has grown so fast that in 2006 the demand for primary silicon from the solar industry exceeded the demand from the semiconductor industry. The solar industry has not looked back. The most conservative projections foresee a continued rapid growth through the next decade at more than 30% per year.

This growth has created a fundamental challenge. Silicon production cannot keep up. The photovoltaic industry as a whole suffers from a manufacturing bottleneck caused by the cost and time required to add new polysilicon manufacturing capacity. The conventional route is not only expensive and time-consuming to expand. It is also very energy intensive and has environmental considerations that affect the flexibility of location selection and feedstock management. The solar industry is artificially constrained due to the semiconductor silicon manufacturing process.

6N’s proprietary low-cost silicon purification process provides a revolutionary approach to the production of solar grade silicon. The 6N approach is considerably more capital efficient than conventional alternatives and increased capacity can be added very quickly. The 6N Silicon product and process fits the needs and growing market demand. A true solar grade silicon.

Posted in Canada, Solar Techs | 1 Comment »

Cyrium Technologies, Inc.

5. September 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Cyrium Technologies, Inc.

Canada Office:

1200 Montreal Road, M50-building, IPF wing
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0R6

USA Office:

1250 Oakmead Parkway, Suite 210
Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A.
94085

About

Cyrium Technologies™ is developing a proprietary breakthrough photovoltaic solar cell technology using semiconductor nanotechnolgy. Their business strategy is to become a leader in advanced solar cells, with a focused market-entry addressing terrestrial applications.

Cyrium Technologies leverages a decade of R&D on semiconductor quantum dots and will help concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) system manufacture semiconductor fabrication facilities and a board of directors comprised of industry veterans.

Product

High-efficiency solar cells for concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) applications are now available for independent validations.

Posted in Canada, California, Solar Techs, USA | No Comments »

Cleanfield Energy

14. August 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Cleanfield Energy

1404 Cormorant Road, Unit #6
Ancaster, Ontario
L9G 4V5 CANADA

Phone (905) 304-5223
Toll-Free 1 (866) 430-VAWT
Fax (905) 304-5221

About
Cleanfield Energy™ develops, manufactures, markets and distributes innovative renewable energy products. As organizations, businesses and governments are becoming more aware of environmental concerns, Cleanfield offers economical and green energy solutions to overcome those challenges.

These solutions include the Cleanfield V3.5, a modular vertical-axis wind turbine for residential/agricultural ground mounts, and commercial rooftop or ground mounts. The Cleanfield V3.5 can be mounted on suitable flat rooftops, towers, silos, or poles.

The Cleanfield V3.5 can provide homeowners and businesses with renewable, reliable electricity, emergency backup during blackouts and brownouts, and savings on their utility bills. Those with the vision to try new solutions such as the Cleanfield V3.5 can change an uncertain future. They can free themselves from a dependence on an unsteady electrical grid system and empower themselves with a clean and reliable electricity resource.

Company History

* September 2002 - Cleanfield Energy™ established by cofounders Mihail Stern, Alexander Trica and Tony Verrelli
* November 2002 – University of Timisoara, Romania, commenced Research & Development of Cleanfield’s VAWT in conjunction with our engineering team
* January 2004 – Cleanfield Energy™ commenced testing of the first prototype VAWT
* April 2006 – McMaster University’s Mechanical Engineering Department successfully tested the VAWT at the 9-metre NRC wind tunnel facility in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
* September 2006 – Ownership changed; owners finalized an RTO with Strike Resources, resulting in a name change to Cleanfield Alternative Energy, which became the parent company of Cleanfield Energy™
* September 2006 – Cleanfield Alternative Energy commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol AIR (TSXV-AIR)
* June 2006 - Cleanfield Energy™ held a media release for the offical naming of the commercialzed Cleanfield V3.5
* November 2007 - Cleanfield Energy™ releases a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale of 500 turbines.

Products

Wind

Main structural components:

• Turbine – composed of three blades, six arms that connect the blades and the shaft, and a shaft (centre post), which connects the arms and the generator. This component converts kinetic wind energy into mechanical rotational energy.
• Generator – a low-speed direct-connected permanent magnet synchronous generator that converts the rotational mechanical energy of the turbine rotor into electric energy. It produces electricity from the rotation of the turbine rotor after it converts potential energy in the wind into electricity
• Power electronics including the inverter, controller and diversion (dump) load – these are the technologies associated with the efficient conversion, control and conditioning of electric power by static means from its available input form into the desired electrical output form. The inverter is extremely innovative, as it is tailor-made and programmed specifically for the VAWT, but can be configured to accept additional energy sources (e.g., solar, micro-hydro), creating a hybrid renewable energy system.

Other characteristics include:

• Controlled electro-mechanical brake – assembled inside the generator
• Micro-vibrations of the blades to prevent ice buildup
• The turbine top has provisions for installing a lightning rod
• Optional batteries can store or provide energy based on the consumer’s use.

Cleanfield Energy™ has developed a 60kW Universal Inverter (UI). The UI has received positive test results to date at the Atlantic Wind Test Site in Prince Edward Island. It was installed at the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan) in May 2006 and is undergoing testing and evaluation.

The Universal Inverter allows for the development of an inverter product family for wind turbine applications ranging from 30kW to 250kW. The UI can work on a variety of generators, such as induction, synchronous with permanent magnets or field windings, and DC. The UI works with generators with the nominal stator frequency at 50 Hz or 60 Hz and with low-speed direct shaft generators. The UI can deliver the energy produced to a three-phase or single-phase grid or can work in an autonomous system and create its own three-phase or single-phase grid. In all situations, the grid frequency can be 50 Hz or 60 Hz. This variety of applications involves reconfiguration of building blocks and loading of different firmware.

The hardware uses a classical approach of two power converters, one controlling the generator to turn the turbine to an optimal speed (maximum output power) and the second to transfer the energy produced by the generator to the AC line. In situations in which there is a significant difference between the generator’s voltage and the AC voltage, the cost of the application will dictate the use of a transformer between the AC line and the UI or a DC boost or buck-cell between the two power converters.

Using the UI in a wind turbine application produces energy at lower wind speeds. Once the turbine turns, depending on its performances, the inverter can deliver energy to the grid.

The UI has been developed in accordance with international standards in terms of power quality, safety and environment.

Geothermal and Solar Techs will be available in the near future

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Abengoa Solar

14. August 2008 by Mykel Pereira.

Abengoa Solar

abengoasolar@abengoa.com

+34 91 330 06 69

Spain

About

At Abengoa, they believe that it is time to create a sustainable model of economic development
The overwhelming weight of scientific opinion is that climate change is a reality. At Abengoa Solar, they believe that it is their responsibility to develop and apply solutions that solve this major problem facing mankind.

Climate change is intensifying weather extremes, such as hurricanes, floods, droughts and desertification, and is radically changing ecosystems. If we do not develop alternatives to existing patterns of energy use, the consequences of climate change will get even worse.

Technology

Concentrated Solar Power

What is CSP energy?

Operating Principle

Solar Radiation Concentration

Generally speaking, C.S.P. technology is based on solar radiation concentration to produce steam or hot air which could then be used on conventional electric plants. Solar energy capture, which has a relatively low density, is one of the main challenges on the development of solar plants. For concentration, most of the systems use mirrors due to their high reflectivity.

Punctual and Linear Concentration

Punctual and lineal concentration could only benefit from direct radiation, and not from diffuse one as this latter could not be concentrated. Linear concentration is easier to install as it has fewer free degrees, but has a lower concentration factor and, therefore, could reach lower temperatures than punctual technology.

Types of Technology

Within C.S.P. technology, there exist different types of technology, being the most common tower technology, parabolic trough technology and dish Stirling technology.

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