Comments on: Struggles continue for thin film solar startups, Nanosolar latest with layoffs

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:31:18 +0000

Put a fork in NanoSolar?

By: Joe Spoor

Joe Spoor — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:29:30 +0000

I know zero about solar power or technology. But I do understand that if you don’t have a trade secret formula (which seems to be the case with these CIGS and silicone panels), then other factors will determine success: marketing, labor costs, relationships, paybacks. It’s just simple business. US companies can’t compete (for right or wrong) because our labor force is more expensive.

By: procoolheat

procoolheat — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:59:09 +0000

US companies create the technology.

The Asians buy some and reverse engineer it.

US companies are either sold or go bankrupt.

Game over.

I really thought Nano Solar had a real shot at becoming a great success story. I hope they can make a come back.

By: salf

salf — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 22:50:13 +0000

1. I don’t know of a single CIGS product that’s ever been guaranteed for 25 years. You?
2. $0.40/watt is still inconceivable. Prices have come down, but Brother Roscheisen was going to sell to us at well under $1/watt, which if he had done he would not be able to produce enough to keep up with demand, even today. What happened?
3. These people who promise the moon and bow out once their personal bank accounts are full will never have my respect. Respect is something you earn.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 09:09:41 +0000

CIGS was essentially always based on a fundamental misapprehension of scale economics and the learning curve. It’s not at all shocking that it has largely (not entirely, but largely) been a commercial failure.

By: michael kanellos

michael kanellos — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:26:10 +0000

Here is what they missed. Nanosolar, Miasole and the rest of the CIGS people really invented good pieces of capital equipment. They came up with a process. But instead of doing that and trying to sell to Applied Materials, they wanted to become product manufacturers. And they never had the girth to hang with China Inc. or South Korea Inc.

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/poll-is-solar-a-product-or-a-process

Innovalight was one of the few companies to realize that they had to take a step back from the customer. Twin Creeks did too, but the timing wasn’t as good.

By: Charles Tilford

Charles Tilford — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:23:17 +0000

1. All manufacturers’ panels have to be guaranteed to work for 25 years. No matter how cheaply you make and sell them, you MUST be a “high quality nut”.

2. Nanosolar fully understands the goal of “cheaper and in bulk”. It “just” hasn’t been able to get there yet, despite the money and the many years of hard, dedicated work of top-quality men and women. Plans were made and the factory built when a market price of $.40/watt was inconceivable.

I just wish people like you would give some respect to the commitment and professionalism of the folks who have dedicated their careers to making economically viable renewable energy a reality.

And…it’s “steam roller”, for rolling roads, you meant, not “seam roller”, a hand-tool for rolling seams

By: Fidelis

Fidelis — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 06:50:46 +0000

What most solar startups don’t understand is that you can’t win in this industry with normal priced goods. You have to find a way to make your goods cheaper and in bulk, stop being “Mr. high quality nut”. Otherwise China and other cheap countries in that category will pass over you like a seam roller and send you packing.