Skyline Solar Begins Commercial Production of First Generation High Gain Solar System
Company Selects Cosma International to Manufacture Skyline Components at US Metal Stamping Facilities; Collaboration Creates Green Collar Jobs Utilizing Available Automotive Manufacturing Capacity
Mountain View, Calif.—October 22, 2009—Skyline Solar, a manufacturer of High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays for the commercial, industrial, government and utility markets, today announced that the company has started commercial production of the racking and structural components of its HGS System with Cosma International, an operating unit of Magna International, Inc. and a leading global metalforming supplier.
The announcement marks Skyline Solar’s first commercial manufacturing agreement and the first step in its effort to help retool American manufacturing, while meeting demand for its first-generation HGS system. Skyline Solar HGS structural and reflective racking components, supported by Cosma’s engineering center located in Troy, Michigan, will be assembled at a Cosma International metal stamping facility in Michigan. In the United States, Cosma International also operates manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Skyline announced its unique HGS architecture in May 2009, followed shortly by the completion of the company’s first demonstration plant with the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority in San Jose, California. The company has since been focused on optimizing the design of its first generation HGS system, while finalizing manufacturing and supplier agreements with key partners. The company expects final product to begin shipping during the current calendar quarter.
“This is an exciting day for Skyline Solar as we pass another significant milestone for the company,” said Bob MacDonald, CEO and co-founder of Skyline. “In less than twelve months, we have moved from our initial fundraising to commercial production of the first generation HGS system. We are proud to be manufacturing our system with Cosma, helping to take advantage of Cosma’s manufacturing expertise and available manufacturing capacity previously utilized by the automotive industry.”
Skyline’s unique pre-engineered and modular design maximizes the performance of system components while minimizing the use of materials that contribute to solar price volatility, such as silicon. Skyline HGS uses 10 percent of the silicon of a traditional flat panel system, while significantly improving energy output per gram of silicon. By minimizing the amount of high-cost materials, using a pre-engineered design and utilizing existing US manufacturing capacity, Skyline is able to significantly reduce the capital expenditures associated with solar system manufacturing and installation.
“Our manufacturing facilities are well-suited to produce structural reflective racking and mounting systems required by a number of today’s solar manufacturers,” said Horst Prelog, president of Cosma International. “We are excited to be manufacturing the Skyline HGS system and, by doing so, contributing to America’s move toward energy independence.”
By partnering with high-quality, proven manufacturing partners such as Cosma International, Skyline can ensure high-quality and reliable components that will help maximize system performance. Skyline HGS arrays combine industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, pre-engineered and easy-to-deploy system. Built primarily out of commodity materials with globally available manufacturing processes from the PV and automotive industries, Skyline HGS simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability. As a result, Skyline Solar believes the HGS architecture is the fastest path to grid parity.
Solar Power International
Skyline Solar (Booth 3030) will be exhibiting and presenting at Solar Power International in Anaheim, Calif. from October 26 through October 29, 2009. Industry executives, partners, customers and media interested in meeting with Skyline Solar can contact Jason Morris or Katy Garlinghouse at Schwartz Communications (+1-415-512-0770 or skylinesolar@schwartz-pr.com).
About Skyline Solar
Skyline Solar manufactures High Gain Solar (HGS) arrays incorporating industry-proven silicon cells, durable reflector materials and single-axis tracking into a complete, easy-to-deploy system. Skyline HGS delivers ten times more energy per gram of silicon than traditional flat panel systems. Built primarily out of commodity materials and assembled using globally available manufacturing processes, Skyline HGS simultaneously improves financial payback and scalability, thereby accelerating the path to grid parity.
Skyline was founded in 2007 and is led by veterans of the solar energy and high volume manufacturing industries. The company is funded by NEA, other VCs and strategic investors, and by a US Department of Energy (DOE) grant. Skyline went from prototype to first grid connected customer in less than one year and is in commercial manufacturing. For more information, visit www.skyline-solar.com
About Cosma International
Cosma International (www.cosma.com), an operating unit of Magna International, manufactures a comprehensive range of metal body systems, components, assemblies and modules including complete vehicle frames, chassis systems and body-in-white systems using a variety of innovative processes including hydroforming, stamping and roll forming. Serving customers in the automotive and other industries such as alternative energy, Cosma has 37 manufacturing facilities and 12 product development and engineering centers worldwide.
About Magna International
Magna International (www.magna.com) is the most diversified global automotive supplier. Magna designs, develops and manufactures technologically advanced systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers of cars and light trucks. Magna’s capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; as well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.
Magna has approximately 71,000 employees in 247 manufacturing operations and 86 product development, engineering and sales centres in 25 countries.
Contacts
Schwartz Communications
Jason Morris or Katy Garlinghouse, +1 415-512-0770
skylinesolar@schwartz-pr.com
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