Semprius, Siemens to advance innovative solar energy technology

DURHAM & ATLANTA, USA: Semprius Inc. and Siemens Industry Inc. have entered into a joint development agreement to co-develop and deploy plug-and-play demonstration systems based on Semprius’ Solar Module Arrays and Siemens’ automation and control components.

The systems are slated to be installed at numerous test sites around the world, including major utilities, commercial sites, international test locations and government facilities.

Semprius Solar Module Arrays offer the benefits of low installed cost and high capacity factor which combined enable very low energy costs in sunny, dry climates. Their high efficiency, scalable design makes them applicable to a wide range of projects from distributed commercial and industrial to large scale utility installations.

The company was selected this month by the US Department of Energy to receive support through a $3 million subcontract from DOE’s PV Technology Incubator, which aims to accelerate commercialization of its solar photovoltaic systems.

Siemens is a global leader in automation systems, power conversion and control systems. As part of its environmental portfolio, which generated revenue of $31 billion (EUR 23 billion) in fiscal 2009, Siemens provides technology to the photovoltaic industry. In an effort to make PV module arrays more efficient, Siemens will integrate its components with Semprius PV module arrays, and together the companies will implement the test systems to validate performance of the combined technologies.

“Our PV module arrays will make the generation of solar power economically viable in clear, sunny climates found in many parts of the world,” said Joe Carr, Semprius President and CEO. “We are excited about teaming with Siemens to demonstrate the value of this technology.”

“Competitive project deployment cost for CPV will be the key for the success of this technology. Combining Siemens’ advanced automation and control equipment with Semprius Module Arrays has the potential to deliver electricity at grid level prices to both industrial and utility scale customers,” said Peter Krause, Business Segment Manager, Siemens Industry, Inc.