David Savastano, Editor08.07.13
The idea of printing or roll-to-roll manufacturing of solar cells is a sound one for a variety of reasons, including costs and ease of production. However, it has proved to be somewhat elusive.
With the news that Nanosolar, San Jose, CA, a CIGS solar manufacturer, recently selected Heritage Global Partners, a subsidiary of Counsel RB Capital, and Maynards Industries Ltd. to auction off its assets later this month, another once-promising and heavily-funded company has left the market. Meanwhile, Nanosolar GmbH has reported been sold to an investor.
Nanosolar joins a large group of companies that have been left to the side, including large-scale operations such as Konarka, Evergreen Solar and Solyndra.
At the end of last year, G24 Innovations (G24i), a Cardiff, Wales manufacturer of dye-based solar cells, was in financial trouble, and was rescued. Other companies such as Solo Power have been restructured.
The solar market is a difficult one all around, yet there are some success stories on the roll-to-roll side. Dyesol, another dye-based solar cell company, is continuing to move forward according to its most recent annual report. Heliatek reportedly is doing well. On the organic photovoltaic (OPV), Disa Solar in France and UK-based Solar Press and Eight19 and U.S.-based Ascent Solar seem to be moving ahead.
A few years ago, solar looked like a strong market for printed electronics. That may still happen, as researchers and universities are coming up with new developments, but time will tell if the market can ultimately be set.
With the news that Nanosolar, San Jose, CA, a CIGS solar manufacturer, recently selected Heritage Global Partners, a subsidiary of Counsel RB Capital, and Maynards Industries Ltd. to auction off its assets later this month, another once-promising and heavily-funded company has left the market. Meanwhile, Nanosolar GmbH has reported been sold to an investor.
Nanosolar joins a large group of companies that have been left to the side, including large-scale operations such as Konarka, Evergreen Solar and Solyndra.
At the end of last year, G24 Innovations (G24i), a Cardiff, Wales manufacturer of dye-based solar cells, was in financial trouble, and was rescued. Other companies such as Solo Power have been restructured.
The solar market is a difficult one all around, yet there are some success stories on the roll-to-roll side. Dyesol, another dye-based solar cell company, is continuing to move forward according to its most recent annual report. Heliatek reportedly is doing well. On the organic photovoltaic (OPV), Disa Solar in France and UK-based Solar Press and Eight19 and U.S.-based Ascent Solar seem to be moving ahead.
A few years ago, solar looked like a strong market for printed electronics. That may still happen, as researchers and universities are coming up with new developments, but time will tell if the market can ultimately be set.