Direct Global Power Inc. (DGP, Niskayuna, NY), a photovoltaic (PV) development and technology commercialization company, announced that it has formed a subsidiary, Prism Solar Technologies Inc. (PST), in a joint venture with the inventors of a holographic PV technology that can reduce the amount of solar cells required in a PV module.
Direct Global Power has joined forces with Genesis Solar LLC (GSL, Tucson, AZ) to manufacture a new solar module that incorporates its patented holographic planar concentrator (HPC) technology. Prism Solar Technologies has secured seed financing and has begun working on second-generation prototypes of the technology. The company is currently raising additional financing from strategic investors and evaluating several potential manufacturing sites. Prism Solar Technologies expects to begin manufacturing in 2006. Direct Global Power President Rick Lewandowski will serve as PST’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
HPC is a module technology that is "cell-neutral" and can spectrally select the desired portion of sunlight allowing for "cooler" solar cell operation while maintaining an increased power output by concentrating specific solar wavelengths into the cells. Through passive tracking, HPC products can achieve higher output in the morning and late afternoon while reducing the amount of expensive silicon necessary in a module. The technology, initially developed by principals of GSL, has the potential to not only lower the price of PV modules, but also enjoys aesthetic characteristics. Prism Solar also intends to use the technology with bi-facial cells that will create additional price reductions by utilizing the backside of solar cells.
"This technology will cause solar energy to 'sling-shot' over other renewable energy options," stated PST Chief Operations Officer George Mignon. "To date, little attention has been given to optics technologies in solar module research and development. Our products will change that, as we show how our holographic technology can impact solar module output and application."
