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United Solar Ovonic Manufacturing Capacity to Expand to 300 MW

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) (Nasdaq: ENER) announced the company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to expand the solar module manufacturing capacity of its United Solar Ovonic subsidiary to 300 megawatts by 2010. ENER announced a stock offering of 6,150,000 shares in part to finance the expansion. The company intends to use in the near term approximately $150 million of the net proceeds to expand United Solar’s third manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 50 megawatts. The company intends to use the balance of the net proceeds from this offering for future capacity expansion of its thin-film solar cell business and for other general corporate purposes. The first phase of the expansion plan will include the construction of a third manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 50 megawatts, which is expected to be operational in calendar year 2007. United Solar currently manufactures solar modules at a 25-megawatt production facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., and is currently constructing a second 25-megawatt production facility there. “Expanding our capacity should enable us to continue to strengthen our position in the rapidly growing market for solar power systems. Global demand for solar power systems is expected to grow in excess […]

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Millennium Cell and Gecko Energy to Develop Portable Fuel Cell Systems

Millennium Cell Inc. (NASDAQ:MCEL) and Gecko Energy Technologies, Inc. have entered into a 3-year joint development program to develop and commercialize portable fuel cell systems for use in military, medical, industrial and consumer electronics applications. The products will pair Millennium Cell’s patented Hydrogen on Demand(R) technology with Gecko’s thin planar Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells to create a hydrogen battery that is lighter, smaller and less expensive than traditional batteries for a variety of applications. Gecko’s efforts are focused on the development of an easy-to-manufacture fuel cell that provides portable device makers with design flexibility by allowing the thin power source to be part of the exterior surface of the device itself. Initial activities will focus on the development of fuel cells to support the introduction of hydrogen batteries for portable electronic devices in each target market, including the development of an appropriate fuel cell for traditional and ruggedized laptop computers, remote surveillance cameras, long run-time sensors, wireless network and data collection devices, and other devices where the combination of technologies can deliver a less expensive, higher performance battery for users. In addition to the joint development program, Millennium Cell acquired approximately 23% of the outstanding common stock of […]

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Cree Announces Record 350 mA LED Brightness and Efficacy

Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a leader in LED solid-state lighting components, announced general availability of the industry’s highest efficacy white power LEDs at 350 mA. Cree’s white XLamp 7090 power LED package achieves a typical efficacy of 47 lumens per watt at a drive current of 350 mA, and 57 lumens of typical light output. Cree also announced the availability of XLamp 7090 in warm white (2700-4500 degrees K) to address the emerging market for residential lighting applications. “To replace the light bulb cost effectively with solid state technology, LED manufacturers have to maximize the efficacy (lumens/watt) of their high- power LEDs. Energy savings is the most important metric as we build the business case for the residential lighting fixtures of today,” notes Manuel Lynch, Permlight Products president and CEO. “Cree has done a terrific job of providing us with highly efficient power LEDs allowing us to replace incandescent and compact fluorescent technologies in new homes throughout California. We are currently selling under counter, step and pathway light fixtures based on the white XLamp 7090 power LED.” “This advancement is another step toward making LED lighting a reality in the general illumination market,” notes Mark McClear, Cree director of marketing […]

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Palo Alto Research Center Teams With SolFocus to Deliver Affordable Solar Energy

The Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) announced a partnership with SolFocus, Inc., a manufacturer of low-cost solar energy systems, which will employ PARC technology to cut the cost of solar power by as much as half. The venture builds on the original SolFocus design for concentrator photovoltaic technology. CPV technology creates electricity by using precision optical components such as lenses and mirrors to direct and “concentrate” sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells. SolFocus’ prototype solar panels are smaller, cheaper, and easier to manufacture than the flat-plate photovoltaic panels that currently dominate the market. PARC is contributing core patents and long-term technology development support for current and next-generation product lines in exchange for royalties and equity in SolFocus. The venture is part of PARC’s “clean technologies” initiative, a research program designed to focus on key areas of renewable energy. It employs PARC’s multidisciplinary approach to develop fresh ways to solve energy challenges, including solar energy generation; energy distribution, reduction and conservation; and contamination monitoring. Gary Conley, SolFocus chief executive officer, said, “We value PARC’s commitment to developing clean technology and the collaborative way it innovates. We teamed with PARC to help improve our first product concept and to accelerate a second-generation product […]

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