Solar Panels
We know that ITM`s priority is electrolyzers and that their first product will be the 10 Kw Home Refuelling Unit to be launched on 9 July 2008
However we still await a further update on the plastic moulded solar panel that ITM have been working on since 2004
The last comment was in a 31 July 2007 interview when the ITM CEO Jim Heathcote said:
“ITM is also working on household solar panels which make electricity to produce hydrogen that can then be used in the car or for household heating
This is in early stages but it could mean you have a non-polluting household,"
The 31 July results statement also included the comment:
“ITM has also been working on two long-term research programmes that rely on the same basic understanding of chemistry to our electrolysis and fuel cell work. The organic solar photovoltaic research programme continues to suggest encouraging possible solutions to the development of much lower cost photovoltaic systems by eliminating silicon “
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To try to get underneath these comments I`ve had a look at the two ITM patents covering the photovoltaic solar panel cell and the photo electrolysis solar panel cell
Google WO/2005/020332 and US20030226762 for the patents
Basically, the photo voltaic patent is saying that the new patented plastic membrane material used in the ITM electrolyzers and fuel cells is also amenable to light and therefore an ideal material for a solar panel
i.e
When light rays strike the membrane they can be turned into an electric current in a photo voltaic panel
And
When light rays strike the membrane they can be turned into hydrogen in a photo electrolysis panel
So what !
you might say ……Can you not do that in a silicon panel ?
However
ITM have already demonstrated that their materials have a number of unique properties which do not exist with other semi conductors like nafion in fuel cells or silicon in solar panels
eg
Transparency ….i.e. will let light pass into the membrane
And…if shaped like a lens and redirected to where it is most useful,,,,,
will magnify unusable low energy light to a level when it can be made into useful current
And
The whole process can be magnified by a tiny electric current which excites the light and makes it give up more of its useful energy
And
The solar cell can be controlled at the individual cell level using ultrasonic sound
This means for example that the absorption capability of individual solar cells in a solar panel could be tweaked to give the most amount of current when the light striking it is varying due to weather conditions
And
The cell is hydrophilic meaning if it sits in a bed of water it can produce hydrogen and oxygen instead of electricity
And
The solar panel can be moulded as a single entity thus slashing production costs
And
….Because of these unique features
The membrane material can convert a much higher proportion of the light energy striking the panel than is possible with silicon
And best of all
The patented membrane material can be manufactured from ingredients which are very cheap by comparison with manufacturing silicon solar panels
So
To summarise
Although ITM have targetted the Home Electrolyzer Market for their first income stream
The solar panel market is another potential moneyspinner
Indeed
depending on the progress ITM have made since July 2007 in developing their solar panel
The possibility exists for them to license manufacturing of the membrane material for sale to the solar cell industry
In the full knowledge that the solar panel market is……..
……here already
------ with real live customers
…… expanding at 20% + pa
…….with profitable cos
……. a world wide market infrastructure
And
…….a shortage of silicon that will not be resolved in the immediate term
AI
