Dec 12 2007
EMCORE Corporation, a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite, and terrestrial solar power markets, announced today that it has signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of 60MW of solar power systems that are scheduled for deployment in Ontario, Canada over the next three years.
EMCORE will supply and install turnkey solar power systems in the Sault Ste Marie area utilizing EMCORE's concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems developed at its Albuquerque, NM facility. EMCORE also has the right to substitute other solar technologies in portions of the projects. The project developer, Pod Generating Group (PGG), has secured the licenses and permits for the project through the Ontario Power Authority Standard Offer Program and system deployment is expected to begin in mid-2008. PGG is a developer of photovoltaics-based power generation facilities in Northern Ontario, Canada.
EMCORE's CPV systems are powered by our industry leading high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based multi-junction solar cells that operate with 500x concentration to provide a lower cost-per-watt than competing technologies. In August 2007, EMCORE announced that it obtained 39% peak conversion efficiency under 1000x concentration on its terrestrial concentrating solar cell products currently in volume production. This compares favorably to typical efficiency of 15-21% on silicon-based solar cells and average 35% efficiency for competing multi-junction cells. The company is in discussions to set up a manufacturing plant in the area to supply the local demand as volume ramps up. EMCORE's continued investment in high-efficiency CPV systems for utility-scale photovoltaic power systems will enable the development of a new alternative energy resource worldwide.
"We are very pleased to receive the opportunity to deploy our first order of utility-scale solar power systems in support of PGG's projects in Ontario," said Earl Fuller, Vice President and General Manager of EMCORE's Solar Power Systems division. "EMCORE's CPV systems are optimized for the lowest cost-per- watt of any utility-scale photovoltaic power system. EMCORE is committed to deploying solar power systems worldwide in the expanding renewable energy marketplace. CPV improves the performance of compound semiconductor-based solar cells, avoids the supply constraint that currently exists with silicon- based solar modules, and provides a lower cost-per-watt," added Mr. Fuller.