HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Xtreme Energetics (XE), a solar energy system
developer based in Livermore, Calif., today announced they have entered
into an agreement for the development of a solar energy system designed
to generate electricity at twice the efficiency and half the cost of
traditional solar panels.
Under the technology collaboration and licensing agreement, HP will
license its transparent transistor technology to XE in return for
royalty payments.
The transparent transistor technology that will be used in XE’s
solar energy device was co-developed by HP and Oregon State University.
The technology includes thin film transparent transistors, which are
made from low-cost, readily available materials such as zinc and tin.
The materials raise no environmental concerns and allow for higher
mobility, better chemical stability and easier manufacture.
The transistor technology enables control of XE’s
concentration and tracking system as it provides a transparent
electronic mechanism to maximize the concentration of light. When
coupled with XE’s system, the technology
improves conversion efficiency as maximum light can get through without
being blocked by traditional non-transparent electronics.
"Blending art and science, our ultra-high
efficiency solar energy systems can serve both the central utility and
rooftop markets using low-cost, ecologically harmonious and
architecturally inspiring designs,” said
Colin P. Williams, chief executive officer, Xtreme Energetics. "Our
agreement with HP allows us to bring an advanced solar energy solution
to the market that is superior to other offerings currently available.”
The flat design of XE’s system eliminates the
need for mechanical tracking of the sun as it traverses the sky. Also,
with HP’s transparent electronics technology,
the system can be artistically patterned to mimic the appearance of any
building material or terrain for aesthetic appeal. This low-profile
design also overcomes the persistent dilemmas of mechanical solar
trackers, which cast shadows onto themselves, require large maintenance
costs and are vulnerable to high winds, making rooftop installations
especially difficult.
"Open innovation to foster collaborative
research is essential in today’s fast-paced,
innovation-fueled market,” said Joe Beyers,
vice president, Intellectual Property Licensing, HP. "Through
our collaborative research and by licensing HP’s
core intellectual property in electronics, we are accelerating the pace
of technology transfer so that it can be applied more rapidly into
creating commercial, renewable energy solutions.”
Transparent transistor technology is just one example from HP’s
portfolio of technologies available for licensing. The collection also
includes assets relating to fuel cells, projectors and digital pen and
paper. A complete list of technologies offered through HP’s
intellectual property licensing program is available at www.hp.com/go/ipl.
Xtreme Energetics plans to make its solution available to commercial
customers as well as the central utility market. The company also is
currently seeking investment for further product development and to
establish national and international manufacturing, sales and marketing
teams.
HP encourages other organizations worldwide to leverage its vast
research and development network and portfolio of nearly 30,000 patents
to bring new technologies to market through intellectual property
licensing agreements. These agreements also enable HP to generate a
return on its research and development investment through licensing fees
and royalties.
About Xtreme Energetics (XE)
XE is developing stunningly beautiful, predominantly transparent
optoelectronic solar products that can track and concentrate sunlight
and convert it to electricity at twice the efficiency and half the cost
of traditional, silicon-based solar panels. XE’s
technology is suitable for solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and natural
daylighting installations. More information about Xtreme Energetics is
available at www.xesolar.com/.
About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its
customers – from individual consumers to the
largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal
computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the
world’s largest IT companies, with revenue
totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30,
2008. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.
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