Is IBM going solar?

[jpak]

http://www.cleantechblog.com/2007/07/is-ibm-going-solar.html

Cleantech Blog has commented on the maturation of the solar sector for some time now. About a year ago, Cleantech Blog broke the story about Applied Material’s entry into the solar market with the San Francisco Chronicle. We have also written on solar concentrators, the coming of consolidation in the solar markets, inverter technology, and subsidy policy. And the fascinating look into the possible future of solar continues.

I had a chance recently to visit with one of the individuals responsible for IBM’s (NYSE:IBM) Big Green Innovations strategy – which has made a splash in the cleantech world over the last half year. We were talking on a range of topics, but one that piqued my interest was the description of IBM’s work in photovoltaics – and a few thoughts on where they were going. I did not ask, and he did not offer, any particulars on the work in progress, but he did make mention of a few points that I thought were well worth repeating:

* IBM is expecting to be a player in the solar cell business – likely seeing commercial impact in the next 18 months to two years.
* IBM is developing both advanced crystalline technologies and CIGS processes – relying on their semiconductor manufacturing expertise and nanotech research to make breakthroughs in controlling PV manufacturing processes.
* You will not likely see IBM making branded modules – perhaps instead a cell production business strategy?
* IBM sees the potential for very high efficiency multi-junction cells in foreseeable future.

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[caligirl]

1. Hubby works for AMAT this is all good news. Even the San Jose school district

just annouce3d a joint project to fund a big solar conversion project in the district. There is currently a solar competition involving university engineering students at 20 selected universities(MIT) to build a solar powered house:

SCU engineer students creating energy efficient features for Solar Decathlon house

CBS5 July 20, 2007. From an air conditioner that runs on hot water to self-tinting windows, SCU engineer students are paying close attention to detail in the construction of a solar powered house.

http://media.scu.edu/ocm/SCU_SolarDecathlon_72007_windowsmedia.wmv