SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 16, 2008 – To spur new development and demand for renewable energy sources, Intel Corporation is spinning off key assets of a start-up business effort inside Intel's New Business Initiatives group to form an independent company called SpectraWatt Inc. Intel Capital, Intel's global investment organization, is leading a $50 million investment round in SpectraWatt and is joined by Cogentrix Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund ("CETF") and Solon AG. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2008.
SpectraWatt will manufacture and supply photovoltaic cells to solar module makers. In addition to focusing on advanced solar cell technologies, SpectraWatt will concentrate development efforts on improvements in current manufacturing processes and capabilities to reduce the cost of photovoltaic energy generation. SpectraWatt expects to break ground on its manufacturing and advanced technology development facility in Oregon in the second half of 2008 with first product shipments expected by mid-2009.
"SpectraWatt is a great example of technology resulting from entrepreneurial efforts inside Intel," said Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital and Intel executive vice president. "This is an important investment for Intel Capital in the growing cleantech sector and we look forward to working with the company to support its expansion."
Solar cells are the discrete components in a solar energy generation system responsible for converting sunlight to electricity. The end-user market segment for solar technology in 2007 was approximately $30 billion, a 50 percent increase from 2006, according to Photon Consulting. Solar industry growth of 30 to 40 percent annually is expected to continue in years to come as the economics of solar, which is currently approximately twice the cost of delivered retail electricity on a per kilowatt basis, begins to approach that of traditional electricity-generation technologies.
Intel has a long history of commitment to the environment and has applied technology innovation to drive energy-efficiencies within its own products and operations. The development of a small solar business within Intel is consistent with the philosophy to protect the environment as well as seek new business opportunities. Intel is on track to reduce its total worldwide greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from 2004 levels through 2010, and also recently introduced lead- and halogen-free microprocessors. Additionally, Intel currently tops the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power list as the largest purchaser of renewable energy credits.
"The formation of SpectraWatt is an important step forward in the renewable energy market," said Andrew B. Wilson, SpectraWatt CEO and former general manager in the Intel New Business Initiatives group. "We are pleased to work with these companies in the goal of moving toward long-term national energy independence."
"We are very proud to be part of this exciting new venture," said Thomas Krupke, SOLON AG CEO. "With the experience and commitment of all companies involved, we are confident to reach our common goal -- advancing solar technology to a new stage."
Source: 7thSpace Jun. 16, 2008
Intel Stripping Assets To Form A New Company Into Solar Energy Industry
Solar Curtain
In the sun as the days to come, many people will be the indoor use of curtains to prevent glare as the sun. Sunshine is the isolation, but also waste a lot of energy. If we can block the sun at this time to be used, may be able to save a lot of energy.
The solar curtain is such a design, its curtain in a soft internal integration of the solar panels this way, neither affected the normal use of curtains, the curtains can be used at the same time absorb and store solar energy For future use. It is said that if the housing around the curtains are used to cover, then the day will be able to generate the electricity of about 16 degrees. Adequate general household use.
But the current cost of the curtain is still relatively high, so we can not enter the market in the short term, but believed that with the continuous development of technology in the near future we can use such energy-saving products has.
Source: 专利之家 Jun. 18, 2008
SEMI and Intersolar to Collaborate on Photovoltaic Innovation
New Exposition will be Held in Conjunction with Intersolar 2009
BRUSSELS, Belgium–12 June 2008–SEMI, the global industry association of companies providing equipment, material and services for the manufacture of semiconductors, displays, photovoltaic cells and related products; Solar Promotion GmbH and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik and Messe GmbH & Co. KG, organizers of Intersolar, today announced an agreement that will expand the technology and manufacturing presence at Intersolar, the world’s largest solar energy exhibition, held at the New Messe Munich in Germany on May 27-29, 2009. Under the agreement, SEMI will manage the PV manufacturing equipment and materials segment in a dedicated area and co-organize a manufacturing and technology conference and other meetings related to manufacturing and materials.
The market for photovoltaic and solar thermal and products, equipment, materials and services, is exploding worldwide with recent estimates projecting the PV market to grow from US$13 billion today to over $40 billion in 2012. As many new players enter the market, there has been an increase in the number of technical conferences and exhibitions in the solar industry. With this collaboration, SEMI and Intersolar are able to bring together the latest innovations in solar energy technologies from the entire value chain under one roof, resulting in increased efficiency and market impact. Having dedicated area will allow visitors, looking for manufacturing technologies, to focus on their needs. On the other hand the presence of all players will allow for cross-fertilization and benchmarking.
“Solar technologies are not only becoming a pervasive part of the new energy framework, but are of crucial importance to the sustainability of our environment and the global economy,” said Heinz Kundert, president of SEMI Europe. “SEMI members are at the forefront of new developments to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of these technologies, and the association has active PV initiatives in place across every major manufacturing region in the world to effectively support member needs and ensure ongoing industrial and technological advancements.”
This agreement comes as a result of a rapid expansion of solar energy markets worldwide, and the need for a comprehensive exposition, which will address all aspects of the supply chain. In addition to the European agreement, Intersolar and SEMI have partnered to bring Intersolar North America to the US through a co-location agreement with SEMICON West 2008 in July.
“Intersolar is an event of worldwide impact in an industry that is expected to more than triple in size by 2012,” said Markus Elsässer, Solar Promotions Chief Executive . “By adding the SEMI membership’s vast technological and manufacturing expertise, as well as global reach to Intersolar, the event will only become more substantial, and pave the way for an exponentially greater penetration of these technologies in our economies and daily lives.”
We are delighted that the partnership with SEMI which has begun in the context of Intersolar North America is continuing to bear fruit. This partnership is also of great importance for Intersolar Europe,” said Klaus W. Seilnacht, CEO of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GmbH & Co. KG.
SEMI will be co-organizing the event with Intersolar, occupying portions of the New Messe Munich. Registered visitors to Intersolar will be able to attend the exhibition part of both events without additional fees or separate badges.
Source: SEMI.org Jun. 12, 2008
