My Solar Neighbors

Undoubtedly, California is a hotbed of new and exciting solar technologies. Although the current US solar market is very small in comparison to the renewable activities in China, Europe, and even Australia, we do have our share of innovation. The intrepid American entrepreneur is making swift strides into this exciting industry and revolutionizing the technologies and associated costs of a solar installation.

What does this have to do with my neighbor up the street? Actually, I used to live in Lake Forest, California, and before that I lived in Aliso Viejo, California in Orange County. At this point I would be asking so what. However, in this area a two companies that are making some significant headway into the California solar market.

The first company is an organization in Aliso Viejo entitled XsunX. This small but innovative company has developed and is actively commercializing thin film photovoltaic technology. The obvious advantage of this technology is that the photovoltaic substrate can be applied directly to window glass; which significantly increases the available surface area for a solar installation. If XsunX can get the bugs worked out of their technology and bring down the unit cost; they can make integrating a PV power plant that meets the load demands of an entire commercial building a reality. Currently XsunX is looking for a US based manufacturing facility to expand commercialize their technology.

The other neighbor of mine is the Southern California office of Akeena Solar. This fast growing installation house is beginning to show a presence in most major markets of Southern California. It appears that their growth has been fueled primarily by the residential market, but they are a full service operation and are able to perform a complete site survey and installation for commercial and government buildings as well.

TAGS: XsunX, Akeena, thin film photovoltaic, panel manufacturing, solar glass

Panel Shortage Not Over, but Soon

The panel shortage and general shortage of silicon is far from over, but it is nice to know that panel manufacturers are planning to ramp up production to address the increasing demand that the 20% annual growth of the solar industry is creating. A recent article by Diane Lindquist in the San Diego Tribune details Kyocera’s Tijuana manufacturing facility and the overall position of the company in the solar industry.

Regarding the capacity of the Kyocera manufacturing facility, the article states:

“Increased silicon output should have production at capacity by the beginning of 2008. And construction has begun on an adjacent building that will quadruple by 2011 the number of panels the Kyocera operation builds for North America and
South America.”

Of the big three solar panel companies, Kyocera seems to be moving into a dominant position with vertical integration and decent distribution in the fastest growing markets. Now if they can only maintain the lead in technological innovation, they will be well positioned for the future.

TAGS: Kyocera, Tijuana, Solar Panels, Silicon Shortage, San Diego Tribune, Diane Lindquist, solar capacity