NEW YORK, USA: Prism Solar Technologies and The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) today reached an agreement on a $3.6 million federal grant secured by Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s Office for Prism Solar.
Prism Solar will receive $3,240,000 to manage a project to commercialize a unique solar bifacial ribbon cell technology that can be utilized with Prism Solar’s Holographic Planar Concentrator (HPC) technology.
The $3.6 million that Congressman Hinchey secured is included in the fiscal year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. The parties have reached agreement that the funds will be provided to TSEC for Prism, which will purchase equipment and engage in research and development of a new photovoltaic bifacial ribbon cell through partnerships with universities and other industry partners.
"This agreement between Prism and TSEC will support Prism’s development of a high efficiency, bifacial cell technology that complements Prism’s holographic planar concentrator which concentrates light onto solar cells,” said Rick Lewandowski, Prism’s President and CEO.
“The project will enable an innovative cell technology that is light-weight and conformable, and therefore useful in off-grid applications such as those needed by the Department of Defense.”
Vince Cozzolino, President of TSEC, said: “This project fits perfectly with TSEC’s goal of developing New York’s Hudson Valley into a hub for solar research, development, and manufacturing. This project is part of TSEC’s effort to work with private companies, such as Prism, to create hundreds of jobs, grow the solar industry, increase federal investments in solar research, development and products, and contribute to economic growth throughout New York.”
The first 12-18 months of this new initiative will entail research and development, and the production of the new solar ribbon product. Prism Solar Technologies will use the product itself in its second generation of modules, but the military, as well as other companies, are also expected to have a deep interest in the product.
This solar cell technology is a process for growing long thin ribbon crystals of silicon that can be used in photovoltaic electricity generation. The resulting products are lightweight, foldable, rugged, portable and efficient.
Congressman Hinchey previously used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure $2 million in federal funding to facilitate Prism's move to the Hudson Valley. Prism is continuing to prepare its facility in Highland to produce modules. The company is ramping up its staff levels and operations, and has installed equipment for its first production line.
Using his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Hinchey has now secured more than $17.8 million in federal funds for TSEC and its partners with additional funding expected to be announced shortly. The Congressman helped organize and create TSEC in 2007.
The consortium is an industry-driven, non-profit organization that provides leadership, organization, resources, and support for the establishment of a major solar energy industry cluster in New York. Together, TSEC’s consortium of companies plan to bring more than 1,000 new jobs to upstate New York within five years. In just the last year, TSEC and its partners have collectively created nearly 200 jobs in the Hudson Valley.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.