University spin-out company lands major solar power order
Release Date 27 September 2010
University spin-out company lands major solar power order
A spin-out company from the University of Reading has secured a large order to supply solar concentrators to Australia.
Whitfield Solar Ltd uses novel technology researched and designed over 30 years by Dr George Whitfield and colleagues in the University's School of Systems Engineering. The photovoltaic (solar power) systems offer significant cost savings over standard solar power generation.
Whitfield Solar's partner in Australia and surrounding territories, Applied Solar Wind Solutions (ASWS), has placed an order for 950 modules following the successful first commercial installation in August 2010 of the company's concentrators in New South Wales.
Whitfield's CPV units take the sun's energy and concentrate it, via an array of Fresnel lenses, onto a small surface area of various high-performance photovoltaic materials (a tiny fraction of that used by flat plate technology). Designed to be used in both large-scale ground-based ‘solar farms' as well as smaller roof-top installations, this platform offers a number of advantages including low cost of manufacture and installation, minimal weight, high scalability and robustness.
The University's Technology Transfer Office provided expert advice and support in the formation of the company and helped access funding, as well as advice on all aspects of Intellectual Property.
David Gillham, Director of Research and Enterprise at the University, said: "We are delighted at Whitfield's news. Reading is a research-intensive university with a wealth of expertise and and we value our links with business. We work hard to solve real-world problems and improve the strength of the UK economy through the creation of new knowledge. Whitfield is a great example of a successful commercial venture based on research at the University."
Stephen Bates, CEO of Whitfield Solar, said: "We are very pleased to have secured this substantial order and to the continued development of our relationship with ASWS. Due to the high solar resource, Australia is an excellent market for CPV and we look forward to continued sales growth in this region."
ENDS
For University of Reading Enquiries, please contact Rona Cheeseman, press officer, on 0118 378 7388 or email r.cheeseman@reading.ac.uk
For Whitfield Solar enquiries please contact the business on 0118 926 4000 or email office@whitfieldsolar.com
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