From the Wires
XeroCoat Receives $2.96M Project Funding Award From US Department of Energy to Develop Anti-Reflective Coating System for Solar Modules
Coating Method Tailored for Direct Deposition on Assembled Thin Film Photovoltaic Solar Modules
Jul. 3, 2009 09:00 AM
REDWOOD CITY, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 07/03/09 -- XeroCoat, Inc. today announced that the
United States Department of Energy (US DOE) has awarded the company a grant
for a $2.96 million project to develop a method for applying its patented
anti-reflective (AR) coating technology directly onto assembled
photovoltaic (PV) solar modules. With this grant, XeroCoat is targeting a
coating method for thin film modules that will exceed thin film industry
cost targets and further lower the cost of solar energy. Upon successful
completion of this development work, XeroCoat's customers will be able to
cost-effectively apply its high performance AR coatings to all solar
technologies, increasing energy output and making solar energy more
affordable. This new capability will complement XeroCoat's anti-reflective
coating process that is available today for coating the glass used in
conventional solar modules.
"We are very pleased to receive this grant, and appreciate the DOE's strong
support for new and disruptive technologies to gain rapid market
acceptance," stated Dr. Michael Harvey, chief technology officer at
XeroCoat and a co-founder. "We believe that we have a very viable solution
for anti-reflective coating for thin film modules. However, funding such as
the DOE grant is needed to bring it to market."
Receiving one of the largest grants, XeroCoat was one of 24 companies to
share in the $24 million awarded by the US DOE for PV Supply Chain and
Cross Cutting Technologies, under its Solar Energy Technologies Program.
The solar energy awards were part of a $300 million DOE funding package
aimed at reducing costs, emissions, and improving the readiness of the
green-collar workforce. Prior to receiving this first grant from the US
government, XeroCoat was awarded several early stage funding grants from
the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Unique Technological Feasibility
XeroCoat's anti-reflective coating technology increases the power output of
solar systems in a cost-effective manner. Utilizing XeroCoat's coating,
solar module manufacturers can expect a 3% increase in peak power output
and a 4-5% increase in energy produced on a kWhr basis. Anti-reflective
coatings are now being adopted for the cover glass of crystalline
photovoltaic modules, but there is no viable solution for thin film
modules. Most thin film technologies begin with annealed glass, with a
transparent conductive oxide on one side, as the substrate upon which the
solar cell processing takes place. This processing involves multiple layer
depositions in harsh environments with a substantial amount of material
handling and transport which subjects the anti-reflective coating to very
difficult conditions. XeroCoat's unique anti-reflective coating technology
is applied at room temperature and pressure, thus lending itself to
deposition on thin film solar modules that have been through the processing
and lamination steps and, thereby, avoiding damage to the coating.
Increasing Thin Film Solar Module Cost Competitiveness
In addition to being technically feasible, an anti-reflective coating
solution for thin film solar modules must be cost effective. This means
that the additional watts generated from the coating must cost less than
the cost of the thin film module. This is a significant challenge given
that some thin film modules are already at or below the $1 per watt cost
and are targeting much lower costs over the next five years. "The DOE grant
allows XeroCoat to continue its technological innovation and provide
solutions that enable the thin film solar module industry to increase their
cost competitiveness," stated Tom Hood, president and CEO of XeroCoat. "Our
value proposition is in providing the most cost-effective watt on the
module."
About XeroCoat
XeroCoat is a Silicon Valley company that designs and manufactures a
high-performing anti-reflective coating for solar energy systems.
XeroCoat's innovative and patented technology delivers greater solar energy
affordability today by decreasing manufacturing costs for solar module
makers and increasing energy returns for solar system owners. Founded in
Queensland, Australia and headquartered in Redwood City, California,
XeroCoat has facilities in Australia and the USA. XeroCoat has an
international team of world-class optical materials and solar energy
scientists and engineers who are focused on continuous innovation of
coatings for the solar energy industry. For more information, visit
www.xerocoat.com.
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