Nanosolar follows through on cutting-edge solar technology

December 12, 2006 | Matt Marshall | Comments |

nanosolarlogo.bmpNanosolar, the Palo Alto solar company that will print solar cells made of nanoparticle ink on just about any surface, has selected San Jose and Germany for its manufacturing.

Nanosolar said earlier that it would make a decision by the end of this year (see our piece). The step is significant because multiple so-called “thin film” start-ups are racing to establish themselves in the market, and Nanosolar appears to be first to hit the large-scale manufacturing stage. Nanosolar is picking high-cost Silicon Valley for its manufacturing, even though costs in China are much lower. It says it will build enough solar cells to generate about 400 megawatts of electricity — or about three times the country’s current output. Nanosolar’s Martin Roscheisen told VentureBeat about the decision late yesterday.

There are more details in the Mercury News today.

The company has financial backing from Mohr, Davidow Ventures, and the Google co-founders, among others.

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Matt Marshall is editor and CEO of VentureBeat. Follow him on Twitter at @mmarshall, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.

  • Daniel Green
    Photovoltaic, especially thin film, will only ever make sense with massive massive subsidies or in remote locations unconnected to the grid
  • Paul
    "company's"....not "country's" current output.
  • Matt, it's time for me to remind you once again that Sanyo, Energy Conversion Devices and Powerfilm have manufactured thin film solar cells for decades. Nanosolar can't "be first to hit the large-scale manufacturing stage" with thin film solar cells as the race was already over in the 1980's. ECD/Unisol in particular has made roof tiles that incorporate solar cells for 10 years. Have you seen solar-powered calculators and watches? They already use thin-film cells.

    Remarks about Nanosolar being a pioneer in thin-film solar cells have appeared on this blog several times now. Don't believe what I say, check the annual reports of ECD, Sanyo and Powerfilm. They are all publicly traded companies and information about them is readily available. Nanosolar's most serious competition doesn't come from other startups but from established solar companies. Don't get so caught up in the Valley's venture buzz that you forget about older, established companies in the rest of the world!
  • Paul Jorgensen
    When will we ever see one. Why did Google use Sharp PV system this year instead of being a Beta Site for NanoSolar. I find it hard to believe that the most dramatic breakthrough in alternative energy has not shown real proof that it will exist. I am beginning to doubt that it will ever come about. As a journalist can you do some real investigative reporting and let us know if this is for real and if so when will actually see one.

    Thanks,

    Paul Jorgensen
    Annapolis MD
  • Johan
    Has anybody anywhere (of scientific repute) conducted an independent test of Nanosolar product? I don't even mind if it is the normal BS little lab cel of a few square cm, never mind a practically useful module of say half a square meter.

    Show me the results of an equovalent IEC global standard test that includes accelerated UV exposure and stress testing for air & humidity penetration of their conductive layer. Until then this (Nanosolar) is just the same Silicon Valley PR rubbish that gave us companies like Webvan in the 90's.
  • David Murgoitio
    So I have heard alot of talk about breakthroughs and advances in technology, but who is the real leader in the solar business? Is there any major standards set or independent market research to separate the briliance from the dimwits?

    I want to get the solar ball rolling and I can't be the only one...