Solar Power Manufacturing

Pay Attention to “Technology Wedges” According to Green Manufacturing Expert

Dr. David Dornfeld, a past interview guest on this blog, has shared his thoughts and recommendations regarding manufacturing emissions and "technology wedges". »

David Calls Out Goliath and its Protectionist Policies

Gotta five it to the tiny (second smallest) nation of Tuvalu (12,000 citizens) for calling out China on their emissions and shining light on their unethical, even illegal, means of dominating the green manufacturing era.

The End of "Developing Countries"

By Yael Borofsky, Ted Nordhaus, and Michael Shellenberger

In 1992, at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the nations of the world agreed that only developed "Annex I" countries — the U.S., Europe, Japan, etc — would have to reduce their emissions. Developing countries were too poor and weren't polluting enough to cause much warming anyway.

But fast forward to 2009 and the very idea of "developing countries" is falling apart.

Last week the tiny island nation of Tuvalu halted United Nations climate talks in Copenhagen after it demanded that China and other big developing nations also agree to emissions limits. Tuvalu pointed out that there is no possibility of keeping atmospheric carbon emissions below 450 parts per million, much less the more radical demand of 350 ppm, if Chinese emissions continue to rise at business-as-usual levels.

While most of the media coverage focused on the threat to island nations from climate change, and their radical demand of 350 ppm rather than the U.N. IPCC call for keeping concentrations at 450 ppm, the most significant aspect of the episode is that it marks the end of the idea that there is such a thing as the "developing world."

A Tale of Two Nations: Tuvalu's GDP is $15 million. China's GDP is $7.9 trillion. Why do we keep calling them both developing countries?

Tuvalu is the fourth smallest country in the world with 12,000 people — China is the largest with 1.3 billion. Tuvalu's GDP is $15 million (yes, million). China's is $7.9 trillion.

And China, as everyone now knows, is the world's largest emitter.

US delegation head Todd Stern has repeatedly said that the Kyoto framework is dead – the U.S. will not agree to binding limits if China, the world's largest polluter, does not also agree to limits. But the Tuvalu proposal signals that the developing world is no longer even ostensibly unified.

And yet China continues to demand that it be treated the same as tiny countries like Tuvalu. Under the UNFCCC framework China would not only not have to reduce its emissions, it would be eligible to receive investment aid and technology transfer from the developed world. The U.S., according to the UNFCCC, would be required to fund technology transfer to China.

It makes no sense anymore to assume that the flow of clean energy "technology transfer" will be from developed nations like the United States to developing countries like China. China is the world leader in low-carbon energy technologies. According to our recent report, "Rising Tigers, Sleeping Giant," China will grow that lead by investing more than twice as much as the U.S. in technology and infrastructure. China is a leader in the domestic manufacturing capacity of solar, wind, and batteries for advanced vehicles and is actively nurturing the development of clean energy innovation clusters.

Rising Tiger: The UNFCC says developed nations like the United States should transfer technology to China, but China is already a leader in the global production of many clean energy technologies.

In fact, China now produces more solar PV, twice the amount of wind turbine components, more batteries for advanced vehicles, and more nuclear reactor components than the United States. In terms of solar PV manufacturing capacity alone, China has 1,800 MW while the U.S., in comparison, has just 375 MW.

Under the UNFCC framework, the U.S. would be required to underwrite China's clean technology industry — even while it is already importing Chinese clean energy technologies, such as wind turbines for a new farm in Texas, which provoked a protest from U.S. Senator Schumer last month.

What we are seeing is more than an end to an outmoded category — "developing countries" — and more than the death of the Kyoto protocol. We are watching a set of the fundamental assumptions that underpin the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change collapse under their own weight

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Michigan Green Manufacturers Awarded Federal Stimulus

Five small manufacturing companies won $15.5 million in federal stimulus awards to help them move into making green energy systems and parts, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced today. The firms will diversify from making tanks, auto parts and boats to manufacturing solar shingles, wind turbines and windmills. The governor's office reported the grants will create or... »

U.S. Stamper to display metal stamping process for fuel cells

While most of the North American tooling and stamping industry will be attending the Fabtech show in Chicago, one American stamping company will be across the country touting their stamping capabilities for fuel cells.

"Metal stamping, when applied to fuel cell applications, provides substantial cost advantages to ceramics and other conventional materials. In addition, metal is less fragile to work with than graphite or ceramics and is much more conducive to major production scale up."

Caran Precision will be attending the Fuel Cell seminar in California from November 17-19th.

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American Metal Stamping Supplier to Build, Run Dies, for Solar Components

I think many of you will find this article interesting, encouraging and perhaps even panicky now that the "green" movement isnt' just an interesting concept of discussion anymore–it's here. Now might be a good time to reach out to your contacts at Magna….

Company Selects Cosma International to Manufacture Skyline Components at US Metal Stamping Facilities; Collaboration Creates Green Collar Jobs Utilizing Available Automotive Manufacturing Capacity

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(Reuters, Business Wire)–
Skyline Solar, a manufacturer of High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays for the commercial, industrial, government and utility markets, today announced that the company has started commercial production of the racking and structural components of its HGS System with Cosma International, an operating unit of Magna International, Inc. and a leading global metalforming supplier.

The announcement marks Skyline Solar`s first commercial manufacturing agreement and the first step in its effort to help retool American manufacturing, while meeting demand for its first-generation HGS system. Skyline Solar HGS structural and reflective racking components, supported by Cosma`s engineering center located in Troy, Michigan, will be assembled at a Cosma International`s metal stamping facility in Michigan. In the United States, Cosma International also operates manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Skyline announced its unique HGS architecture in May 2009, followed shortly by the completion of the company`s first demonstration plant with the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority in San Jose, California. The company has since been focused on optimizing the design of its first generation HGS system, while finalizing manufacturing and supplier agreements with key partners. The company expects final product to begin shipping during the current calendar quarter.

"This is an exciting day for Skyline Solar as we pass another significant milestone for the company," said Bob MacDonald, CEO and co-founder of Skyline."In less than twelve months, we have moved from our initial fundraising to commercial production of the first generation HGS system. We are proud to be manufacturing our system with Cosma, helping to take advantage of Cosma`s manufacturing expertise and available manufacturing capacity previously utilized by the automotive industry."

Skyline`s unique pre-engineered and modular design maximizes the performance of system components while minimizing the use of materials that contribute to solar price volatility, such as silicon. Skyline HGS uses 10 percent of the silicon of a traditional flat panel system, while significantly improving energy output per gram of silicon. By minimizing the amount of high-cost materials, using a pre-engineered design and utilizing existing US manufacturing capacity, Skyline is able to significantly reduce the capital expenditures associated with solar system manufacturing and installation.

"Our manufacturing facilities are well-suited to produce structural reflective racking and mounting systems required by a number of today`s solar
manufacturers," said Horst Prelog, president of Cosma International. "We are excited to be manufacturing the Skyline HGS system and, by doing so,
contributing to America`s move toward energy independence."

By partnering with high-quality, proven manufacturing partners such as Cosma International, Skyline can ensure high-quality and reliable components that will help maximize system performance. Skyline HGS arrays combine industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, pre-engineered and easy-to-deploy system. Built primarily out of commodity materials with globally available manufacturing processes from the PV and automotive industries, Skyline HGS simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability. As a result, Skyline Solar believes the HGS architecture is the fastest path to grid parity.

Solar Power International

Skyline Solar (Booth 3030) will be exhibiting and presenting at Solar Power
International in Anaheim, Calif. from October 26 through October 29, 2009.
Industry executives, partners, customers and media interested in meeting with
Skyline Solar can contact Jason Morris or Katy Garlinghouse at Schwartz
Communications (+1-415-512-0770 or skylinesolar@schwartz-pr.com).

About Skyline Solar

Skyline Solar manufactures High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays incorporating
industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis
tracking into a complete, easy-to-deploy system. Skyline HGS delivers ten times
more energy per gram of silicon than traditional flat panel systems. Built
primarily out of commodity materials and assembled using globally available
manufacturing processes, Skyline HGS simultaneously improves financial payback
and scalability, thereby accelerating the path to grid parity.

Skyline was founded in 2007 and is led by veterans of the solar energy and high
volume manufacturing industries. The company is funded by NEA, other VCs and
strategic investors, and by a US Department of Energy (DOE) grant. Skyline went
from prototype to first grid connected customer in less than one year and is in
commercial manufacturing. For more information, visit www.skyline-solar.com

About Cosma International

Cosma International (www.cosma.com), an operating unit of Magna International,
manufactures a comprehensive range of metal body systems, components, assemblies
and modules including complete vehicle frames, chassis systems and body-in-white
systems using a variety of innovative processes including hydroforming, stamping
and roll forming. Serving customers in the automotive and other industries such
as alternative energy, Cosma has 37 manufacturing facilities and 12 product
development and engineering centers worldwide.

About Magna International

Magna International (www.magna.com) is the most diversified global automotive
supplier. Magna designs, develops and manufactures technologically advanced
systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles
complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers of
cars and light trucks. Magna`s capabilities include the design, engineering,
testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure
systems; body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior
systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete vehicle
engineering and assembly.

Magna has approximately 71,000 employees in 247 manufacturing operations and 86
product development, engineering and sales centers in 25 countries

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