Solar / Photovoltaic
The Photovoltaic industry worldwide has been growing by 30-40% per year for many years and has
moved beyond the "cottage industry" status it had in the 70's and 80's. EMTEC stands
at the front of this growth, creating opportunities and space for Ohio companies to contribute
innovations to the world at large. These opportunities arise through the creation of
partnerships and alliances with companies that can help to produce concrete results down the
path to commercialization.
There are several mature solar energy technologies that each serve a unique purpose. Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy converts
sunlight directly to electricity. Typical systems do this with no moving parts and remain in operation for 30 years or more with
minor maintenance. Solar thermal concentrators use the suns energy to heat a fluid which in turn heats water and generates electricity
with a steam turbine. Utility scale versions of this process are nearing parity on a cost basis with utility power. Below is an
example of a new system recently installed in California.
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Saguaro Solar Thermal Concentrator Plant capable of producing 1 MW of power at peak production.
This system was built in 2006.
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Most growth is in the PV market, so that is EMTEC's focus. As traditional crystalline
technologies improve and as new thin film technologies come on line, cost reduction is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. If
PV costs come down and utility power costs go up on their respective average rates, PV will be directly competitive with conventional
energy with no incentives or rebates within 5-10 years. This assumes no tax incentives, rebates, or subsidies. A 30-35% incentive
will make PV cost competitive in Ohio today. If you account for the value of the Renewable Energy Certificates generated by a
system, PV electricity is already cost competitive today in the southwestern US where electricity is >$.15 per kwh.
Even average photovoltaic (PV) price drops and average utility price rises will cause PV energy to be cheaper than conventional
energy within 10 years. This assumes no tax incentives, rebates, or subsidies.
Surprisingly, Ohio has about 2/3 as much solar energy as Arizona. However, Ohio's manufacturing expertise and ability to supply
parts into the PV supply chain is likely where we will be most successful in the PV industry. The supply chain for the PV industry
has recently suffered setbacks due to the silicon shortage, but is rapidly recovering from that thanks to new investments by the
large silicon suppliers. The supply chain for the PV industry includes manufacturers and system integrators in semiconducting
materials, glass, polymers, thin film coating machines, metal extrusion and stamping, power electronics, roll-to-roll fabrication,
and system design and installation.
Industry News
The Newest Thing in Old Solar Technology Nets Ten Times As Much Energy Per Gram of Silicon
Solar / PV : 05/05/2009
The next frontier in traditional solar panels is concentrators - devices, usually lenses, that concentrate solar power onto the most expensive part of a solar panel - the silicon. Skyline Solar's "solar trough" design concentrates sunlight without using expensive lenses or complicated robotic armatures for tracking the sun as it crosses the sky.
The entire system is built from commodity parts in an effort to make it cheap and scalable - the ultimate goal being 'grid parity,' or a system that is competitive with fossil fuels as a means of generating electricity. That's why the Department of Energy gave Skyline a $3 million grant as part of its Solar Energy Technologies Program. (Investors have plunked down another $25 million.)... more
University of Toledo to carve out alternative energy school
Solar / PV : 04/15/2009
TOLEDO: A university in Ohio plans to have a school dedicated to the study of solar power and similar alternative energy sources.
University of Toledo Provost Rosemary Haggett says the new School of Solar and Advanced Renewable Energy will be beyond cutting edge, educating students for jobs not created yet.... more
PG&E Launches 500 Megawatt Solar Power Initiative
Solar / PV : 02/25/2009
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced plans for a five-year program to develop up to 500 megawatts (MW) of clean solar photovoltaic (PV) power in its northern and central California service area, one of the largest undertakings of its kind in the country.
The proposed program consists of up to 250 MW of utility-owned PV generation - PG&E's first direct investment in renewable generation in over a decade - and an additional 250 MW to be built and owned by independent developers under a streamlined regulatory process. PG&E is submitting its plan today to the California Public Utilities Commission for approval, which could come later this year.... more
