Apr 11 2008
EMCORE Corporation a leading provider of semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber-optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets, announced today that it has agreed to supply CPV systems to XinAo Group in China. XinAo Group is one of China's largest energy companies and is well known for its clean-energy technologies. The program will start with the delivery of a 50 kilowatt (kW) concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) system to be installed in Langfang, China. This system will be used for test and evaluation purposes. Once the expected reliability and performance metrics have been demonstrated, XinAo plans to install CPV systems to provide electric power for its innovative coal gasification project, which is estimated to have a requirement of 60 megawatts (MW) of power. XinAo believes that EMCORE's CPV technology will provide a cost-effective solution for its energy needs.
In addition, XinAo intends to build a manufacturing plant in China, jointly owned by EMCORE, to manufacture CPV systems designed and certified by EMCORE for the Chinese market.
Earl Fuller, Vice President and General Manager of EMCORE's Solar Power Division stated, "We are pleased to be recognized as a leading supplier of CPV systems for cost-effective electric power generation for XinAo's innovative energy synthesis applications for zero carbon emission. This kind of distributed energy application is a strategic focus for EMCORE. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, EMCORE China, located in the same city as XinAo, we will be able to form an efficient and cost-effective manufacturing capability to serve XinAo and other demands in the Chinese market."
EMCORE's CPV systems are powered by our industry leading high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based multi-junction solar cells that operate with 500x concentration to provide a lower cost-per-watt than competing technologies. CPV improves the performance of compound semiconductor-based solar cells, avoids the supply constraint that currently exists with silicon-based solar modules, and provides a lower cost-per-watt. EMCORE's continued investment in high-efficiency CPV systems for utility-scale photovoltaic power systems will enable the development of a new alternative energy resource worldwide.