Silicon Still in Short Supply, First Sale of Silicon Free Solar Cells Announced

The shortage on Solar Grade Silicon was evident at the 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Barcelona, Spain and Exhibition last week. With the resulting shortages in wafers, solar cells and modules, it was a major topic and it seems it will remain high on the agenda for at least the coming 2 years.  The production capacity for Solar Grade Silicon to supply the photovoltaic market remains a critical point in possibly slowing down the growth of the solar cell market.

Coincidently on June 9th, SmartMoney reported that DayStar Technologies (NASDAQ: DSTI) had just signed its first big commercial contract to sell silicon free solar cells. Traders enthralled by the technology's potential and the tiny stock's momentum bid it up 61% to an all-time high of $11.09.

Blitzstrom, a leading European maker of solar power equipment, agreed to buy DayStar's TerraFoil cells through 2008. The pact could be worth up to $60 million based on current market prices for photovoltaic cells, according to the company.

"This is a big deal for them. DayStar hasn't sold a thing yet and now it's hooking up with a serious partner," says Kenneth Reid, editor of Spear's Security Industry Analyst. He is following DayStar because of its technology's potential to power surveillance drones. "In addition to using DayStar products as is, it looks like Blitzstrom is going to incorporate some of DayStar's technology into its existing product line."

The companies press release stated that contingent on DayStar's ramp-up of its production capacity, the agreement calls for monthly delivery of TerraFoil™ escalating in volume through the end of 2008 with price based on a variable market-competitive pricing mechanism

Samples for module and array testing will be delivered in the near future, with initial product shipments slated for the third quarter of 2005. Near term costs are likely to exceed projected revenue under this contractual arrangement until DayStar transitions its production of TerraFoil™ solar cells from the existing Gen II line to its planned lower cost Gen III production.

Their Photovoltaic Foil™ product line, also known as PV Foil™, is an entirely different entry into a solar cell market which relies heavily on legacy silicon wafer design. In comparison, PV Foil™ is silicon-free and highly flexible which, when combined with the Company's unique approach to manufacturing, can result in tremendous economies of scale and volume that could lower costs and deployment barriers currently limiting the adoption of solar energy.

DayStar, based in Halfmoon, N.Y.,  is an emerging leader in manufacturing low cost, high efficiency Photovoltaic Foil that converts sunlight into energy. The Company's patented and proprietary products utilize Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) cells, which are deposited on specialty metal foils using production processes adapted from commodity computer component manufacturing. DayStar believes the unique combination of its CIGS solar cell design coupled with inexpensive manufacturing processes can lead to solar electricity at commercially viable rates. DayStar's cconcentrating PV module is the first innovation developed by DayStar.  Product analysis has shown module cost below $200 per watt at low production volumes of about 3 MW per year.  They expect to transition to this volume of production at the end of 2006. This compares to $3-$4 per watt and higher for present industry product with associated low margins.  The low cost is a direct result of the unique geometry, which incorporates low level concentration (less than 10 suns) and enables high throughput manufacturing process.  A further description of their technology can be found here.

At the conference Dr. Tuttle chairman and CEO of DayStar Technologies presented a paper entitled "Design Considerations and Implementation of Very Large Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Cells and Related Products" which examined DayStar's unique materials and manufacturing approach to attaining Gigawatt-scale manufacturing of the Company's TerraFoil™ product.

I really don't know how big a deal this technology is.  The manufacturing procedure seems to be unique in the PV industry.  Using silicone free, low cost, thin film concentrating cell technology certainly impresses me.  Revised 8/10/05 - When $2.00 per watt prices are achieved Daystar could very well have the lowest price solar panels on the market.  With the high prices for silicone used by mainstream manufacturers and a low cost manufacturing technology this small company could be in a very good position to capitalize on its technologies.

Technocrati tags: solar cell, alternate energy, silicone

Comments

[DSTI]

President Bush outlines his energy proposals at the Johnson Controls plant in Milwaukee on Monday. Bush said he was impressed with the growing commercial uses of solar energy.

[url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11465801/]Bush pushes alternative energy proposals[/url]

“Roof makers will one day be able to make a solar roof that protects you from the elements and at the same time, powers your house,” Bush said. “The vision is this — that technology will become so efficient that you’ll become a little power generator in your home, and if you don’t use the energy you generate you’ll be able to feed it back into the electricity grid.”

This can only do good things for stocks like XSNX, DSTI, and SPWR

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[Mark Osie Cargile]

Actually...I am very fascinated at the outcome so far of projects that I have predicted from solar panels being used with PC and video cameras.

What my concern is at the present is how to acquire what is publisized as free solar cells.

How do I get or obtain an address to acquire of how to write for free solar cells? Is there an adress to be brief of information or writing? Of how to obtain this information?

I am from the United States, Philadelphia. An at present a member of the American International Freelance Photographers Organization. www.IFPO.net

Please send to myself by email information.

Thank you......

[email protected]

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