Advanced Solar Photonics Featured in the Orlando Sentinel

As seen in...The Orlando Sentinel
(click on the photo to read the story on the Sentinel's website.)






Central Florida's solar industry growing hotter


Maureen McHale is marketing and public-relations manager and Edgardo Rodriguez is executive vice president with Advanced Solar Photonics in Lake Mary, which plans to ramp up production later this month. (ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL / June 19, 2009)





In the midst of a dreary economy, the people behind a new company in Lake Mary say things are looking quite sunny.

Advanced Solar Photonics plans to start manufacturing solar panels later this month. While Orange County is courting a solar manufacturer from Ohio, the Lake Mary upstart is among a number of solar companies that already make Central Florida home.

And they say that, despite the economy, business is great.

Advanced Solar Photonics expects to hire 1,500 people within the next two years. UMA Solar, an Altamonte Springs company that sells a variety of solar goods, plans to start manufacturing solar water heaters in Seminole County this summer. Winter Haven-based QuickBeam, which has been designing and installing solar-electric systems for a year and a half, just opened a second location in Orlando.

"We've seen explosive growth in the solar business locally," said Richard Smith, president of Longwood's Superior Solar Systems, which worked on the 1-megawatt solar electric system recently installed on the roof of the Orange County Convention Center.

Across the state, more people are putting solar panels on homes, on commercial buildings or in sunny, remote areas to capture solar energy and to use it for heating water or producing power. A household solar-electric system can be as simple as a panel that powers an outdoor light or as complex as a series of roof panels that provide electricity to an entire home.

Those in the solar industry say the combined momentum of government incentives, the green movement and the search for cheaper energy is creating the growing demand. Membership in the Longwood-based Florida Solar Energy Industries Association has doubled within the past 18 months to about 130 members.

"It's a hot topic — sorry for the pun," said Sherri Shields, assistant director for communications at the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, a research institute of the University of Central Florida. "With the price of oil fluctuating and energy independence, I think people are finally starting to pay attention to solar."

The center's solar-technology training courses are booked through October, and there's a waiting list for the certifications the center provides for solar equipment used in Florida.

Solar companies in Central Florida generally fall into two categories: those that started with a round of government incentives in the late 1970s, and those that started less than five years ago amid fresh demand.

The older companies say they survived on pool-heating business between the original incentives, which ended in the 1980s, and the recent resurgence. Now, pool business has declined along with the construction industry, while solar water heaters and solar electric systems, which can help homeowners save on power bills, are doing well.

In 2006, the state started offering rebates of as much as $100,000 for companies and $20,000 for residences that installed solar systems. Money budgeted for the rebates has been spent, but a round of federal stimulus dollars is expected to fill the gap. The program sunsets in July 2010.

"I remain cautiously optimistic that we can get it extended," said Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association.

Since January, Florida property owners have also been able to claim a property-tax exemption for solar installations. And at the federal level, the 30 percent residential-solar tax credit used to be capped at $2,000, but last year lawmakers eliminated the limit. Federal stimulus packages have also emphasized green building techniques.

But along with the growth in solar technology have come unqualified technicians. Contractors complain that they often have to fix others' shoddy work.

"You need to make sure that these are licensed people that you are dealing with," Smith said.

Rachael Jackson can be reached at rjackson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-540-4358

Global Solar Technology - Combing in the Energy

Global Solar Technologies May/June 2009 issue featured an article written by Maureen McHale of Advanced Solar Photonics.

To read the article online, click the link below and see pages 18 and 19.

Combing in the Energy

Or, you can visit the website and download the PDF.
http://globalsolartechnology.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3291

Here comes the sun - Solar panel plant energizes Lake Mary

As Seen in...

Here comes the sun - Solar panel plant energizes Lake Mary

by Peter Reilly

Posted Jun 18, 2009 at 07:00 AM

Lake Mary’s future is looking bright and sunny – thanks to solar panel maker, Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP). In a move perfectly timed with President Obama’s call to develop renewable sources of energy to grow the economy, the company has launched a $40 million project to build out 100,000 square feet at their facility on Rinehart Road and become the first solar panel manufacturing plant in Florida.

The project, dubbed SolarFAB, is expected to be up and running this summer and should bring 200 new jobs for area residents, along with an economic boost to Seminole County and the state. Over the next two years, as the company grows, an additional 1,300 new jobs could be created.

“This is a remarkable opportunity, not just for our city, but for our entire region to have such a cutting-edge company provide job growth and opportunities for enhanced economic development,” says Lake Mary Mayor David Mealor. “It’s an excellent match for the types of target industries we’ve been attempting to draw to the Central Florida region. Especially with so many communities struggling financially, we’re very fortunate that people are willing to invest in Lake Mary. It speaks volumes about our community.”

Customer response to ASP’s decision to produce solar panels in Florida has been very positive; the project has become even more ambitious than first conceived. Originally the company was planning to apply thin-film conductive material over glass to produce up to 40-megawatt solar panels.

But now ASP also plans to use monocrystalline technology to make larger panels that can produce up to 500 megawatts in output. These panels could be mounted on solar towers at a mall to power the entire mall and even reduce a user’s utility bill by feeding unused energy back to the power company’s grid. The panels could also be mounted on the roofs of schools and big box stores like Walmart.

That’s a lot of power. A megawatt is 1,000,000 watts. By comparison, the average homeowner would use a 2-kilowatt solar panel system to power a house. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts.

Maureen McHale, ASP’s corporate marketing and public relations manager, says the company will start by producing 5-megawatt panels and then increase 50 megawatts every couple of months, and eventually build up production over the next two years to the 500-megawatt panels.

“Demand for panels is so high right now,” says Maureen, “It’s just exponentially growing.”
In a very short time SolarFAB could be the largest thin-film and monocrystalline solar manufacturing plant in the country. It is also the only solar panel company in the nation to have a product that is 100 percent manufactured in the USA, the company’s CEO Demitri Nikitin pointed out.

Demitri brought ASP, a cutting-edge developer of laser equipment, to America from Austria in 2001. The company has been in Lake Mary since 2008. He says the company had many reasons for relocating to this area. Central Florida is a high-tech hub with a skilled workforce. Lake Mary is a wonderful place to live and the Lake Mary Commissioners, along with the county’s Economic Development Commission, have been very supportive.

“The facility is a tremendous fit,” says Demitri, referring to the Rinehart Road plant. “Lake Mary is one of the best places to live in the United States. It’s surrounded by areas from which we can pull qualified people. We think it’s a perfect place for us to start high volume manufacturing of a high-tech product.”

And one other thing - it’s really, really sunny here most of the year.

“This is the Sunshine State,” says Demitri. “There’s obviously plenty of sunshine to support the solar panel business.”

Now is the perfect time for ASP to be in the solar energy business. Solar panel efficiency is up to around 17 percent from a meager 1 percent when the technology debuted. The price of traditional energy has risen high enough to make solar energy cost-effective. And the government is providing millions of dollars in stimulus money to encourage solar energy development and production.

ASP also has a clear advantage over other companies. Their laser technology allows them to produce solar panels more efficiently and at a lower cost than traditional manufacturers.
“We’re focusing on making the manufacturing process more efficient,” says Maureen. “As new technology comes out we will incorporate that into our process. We’ll not only have the highest-efficiency panels, we’ll have the lowest manufacturing cost.”

Demitri points out that the company will also make money from power purchase agreements with power utilities. ASP would convert “brown fields” - land that is unsuitable for any other use - into solar energy farms. ASP would then sell the energy to the power company. He said they have already identified areas in Lake Mary that could be used for this purpose. Demitri believes a solar farm could generate power comparable to that of an atomic power plant.

It seems that the sky… no make that the sun, is the limit.

“It’s very exciting,” says Edgardo Rodriguez, ASP executive vice president. “Solar farms are a perfect alternative to building nuclear plants. This is the only industry I see for the real creation of jobs and the growth of the economy. We all use energy and the demand for energy will continue to grow. The solar energy industry is the only industry that will save the economy of the United States.”

And if he’s right, the nation’s economic recovery could start right here in Lake Mary.

SOURCE: http://www.lakemarylifemagazine.com/viewArticle.php?articleId=2081

Advanced Solar Photonics Expands Distributor Network

Lake Mary, Fl., June 25th, 2009 - Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP), the only manufacturer of monocrystalline solar panels made with one hundred percent American made components announced today that it’s expanding its distributor network.

“We are speaking with dozens of solar providers every day. Some are distributors currently working with other PV companies looking for new products, pricing and opportunities. Other contacts we’re making are distributors selling complimentary products such as solar thermal or pool heating systems who would like to diversify their product offering to include PV panels”, said ASP’s Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Maureen McHale.

Through strategic partnerships, ASP has been able to control costs and offer some of the most efficient and competitively priced solar modules on the market today. ASPs’ focus is now on building a strong distributor network with a mix of not only high volume producers but also those companies who are just getting started in the solar industry.

“As the only manufacturer of solar panels in the state of Florida and the only manufacturer of monocrystalline modules made with one hundred percent American made components, ASP is uniquely positioned to be a clear industry leader. We are actively growing our distributor network as we continue to build our manufacturing facility up to the 500MW capacity over the next two and a half years and are also expanding our product offering. Currently we are taking orders for our 250 Watt ASP Panels with just a four to eight week lead time,” said McHale. “Over the next nine months, we are expanding to manufacture 300, 440 and 600 Watt ASP Panels which we’re projecting to be highly sought after.”

Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP) located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. ASPs’ monocrystalline solar panels and commercial solar solutions for the photovoltaic industry are ideal for residential, commercial and utility projects. For more information about becoming a distributor, our company or about our solar solutions, please call 407-804-1000 or visit our website at http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com.

Media Contact:

Maureen McHale

Coporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager

mmchale@advancedsolarphotonics.com

407-804-1000 x515

Solar Disarray: Lawmakers Bungle Green Push

Source: Tampa Tribune, June 23, 2009


As a blazing sun bore down this week, Southwest Florida got a sweltering reminder of true solar power.
With the intensity and frequency of its sunshine, Florida should be a world leader in harnessing this potent form of renewable energy.

Yet, the state has only a handful of commercial solar arrays, offers a paltry $5 million rebate program and serves merely as a conduit for federal stimulus funds targeted to renewable energy projects.

Despite good goals set by Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida has done too little to increase the use and generation of solar power or to encourage businesses or jobs in developing, supplying or installing the equipment.

Meanwhile, California's Solar Initiative boasts a $2 billion budget to finance incentives. Arizona and Nevada also offer generous incentives for solar installations. Even New Jersey has surpassed Florida by making solar systems tax-exempt and providing loans and rebates to support installations.

Florida's Legislature had an opportunity in this year's session to move the state forward in the promotion of renewable energy. Crist's call to require electric utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020 was part of an energy bill that passed in the Senate.

But the House never took up energy legislation, citing a need to focus on the budget.

Yet, the House found time, in the closing days of the session, to pass a bill to allow offshore oil and gas drilling as close as three miles from Florida's Gulf Coast. Fortunately, the Senate refused to consider it.

The action and inaction by the House explain why Florida is falling behind in the "green economy" - despite the efforts of a cadre of entrepreneurial companies - while other states and nations benefit from the industries and jobs generated by the push for renewable energy.

While Florida's House continues to embrace fossil fuels - and jeopardizing the coastal environment and tourist economy - nearly 30 states have passed laws similar to what Crist and the Senate were seeking. Congress is on the verge of setting a national standard for increasing the use of renewable energy. And other countries such as Germany - which estimates that it now has 250,000 jobs in renewable energy - have burgeoning industries based to a large degree on the production of solar power.

Emblematic of Florida's solar disarray is the tale of Sarasota County's Triple J Ranch, reported by Zac Anderson in the June 7 Herald-Tribune.

The owners of the ranch spent $500,000 to install a 300-panel solar system. The array generates enough power in one month to run an average house for a year. The owners figured they could produce enough power to reduce the ranch's monthly electric bill from $5,000 to $1,000.

But Florida law got in the way.

A 2008 law regulating "net metering" - the sale of excess, independently generated energy to a power company - expanded the eligible solar systems from home-based arrays to those at businesses and office buildings. But the bill failed to account for homes and businesses - like the Triple J Ranch - that have multiple electric meters.

And a 1969 law largely prohibits combining multiple meter readings on one bill.

Unfortunately for the Triple J, all of its solar panels were installed on two, low-energy-consuming horse barns and feed into two meters. The power generated cannot be applied to seven other metered sites at the ranch. And the excess energy is being sold to Florida Power & Light not for the state-established price of 12 cents per kilowatt hour but for just 6 cents a kilowatt hour. That's FPL's "fuel price," less the cost of its transmission lines and other infrastructure.

As a result of all that, the Triple J's $500,000 solar array saves it very little.

Florida should be in the business of encouraging the use of solar power, not of punishing users who fail to grasp the nuance of the state's arcane laws.

If Florida is to join the vital global gold rush in green energy, the Legislature needs to take some critical steps:

•Establish a renewable energy standard of 20 percent by 2020.

•Thoroughly debate the concept of "feed-in tariffs," by which utilities purchase excess solar power at a premium over conventional rates. The city of Gainesville's publicly owned utility pays such a premium and has created a mini-economic boom in the purchase and installation of solar panels - which is the purpose of the tariffs. Germany and other countries have done the same.

•Rewrite the net-metering law and other laws that could discourage investment in solar energy.

Given the stakes for Florida in the onset of climate change - the potential for rising sea levels, stronger storms and the soaring insurance costs tied to those eventualities - this state has more reason than most to pursue and promote renewable energy, especially solar power.

Next year's legislative session is not too soon to start.

And if legislators fail again to let Florida join the green economy, voters need to send them into the electoral sunset in 2010.

Advanced Solar Photonics is NOW SELLING SOLAR PANELS!

We're Open For Business!

Lake Mary, Fl., June 10, 2009 – Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP), the cutting-edge developer of monocrystalline solar panels manufactured with one hundred percent American made components announced today that its SunPanels™ are now on sale.

“We are excited to announce that Advanced Solar Photonics is officially taking orders, “, said ASP’s Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Maureen McHale. “Any order placed now will only have a four to eight week lead time.”

Over the last few years, Advanced Solar Photonics has focused on becoming a fully integrated solar solution provider. Through strategic partnerships, ASP has been able to keep costs down and offer the competitively priced SunPanel™ turn-key system. This solution will include a patented method for ground installation, mounting, inverter, wiring and all the necessary hardware components. Combined, these factors enable ASP to offer a lower cost on the balance of the system.

“ASP is essentially a one stop shop for solar energy solutions because we are fully integrated. Whether you’re an installer or distributor looking to purchase just the solar panels or have the need for a full turn-key system, we’d like to talk to you about our competitively priced solar solutions. We are actively growing our installer and distributor network as we build our manufacturing facility up to a 500MW production plant”, said McHale.

ASPs’ manufacturing plant is slated to grow in 50MW increments over the next two years to reach the 500MW capacity. The monocrystalline silicon SunPanels™ being produced are one of the most efficient solar modules on the market today. After years of product development – including research and development, manufacturing process development, fabrication and product testing, engineering, and factory construction, ASP is officially open for business with SunPanels™ now on sale.

“When looking at other manufacturers and deciding which panel you’d want to sell or even install in your own home, it’s important to know, unlike any other company, ASPs' monocrystalline panels are 100% made from US components. Additionally, ASP is the only manufacturer of solar panels in the state of Florida and strives to be the largest solar manufacturing plant in the United States”, said McHale.

Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP) located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. ASPs’ monocrystalline solar panels and commercial solar solutions for the photovoltaic industry are ideal for residential, commercial and utility projects. For more information about our company and our solar solutions, please call (407) 804-1000 or visit our website at http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com/.


Become a Distributor!


Media Contact:
Maureen McHale
Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager
mmchale@advancedsolarphotonics.com
407-804-1000 x317
www.advancedsolarphotonics.com

Listen to our Podcast NOW!

The solar industry is on fire… in a good way. Solar panels and solar farms are popping up all over the nation, but do you ever consider who is behind the production of this hot technology? Maureen McHale of Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP) took a minute to speak with Kimberly Miller of Green Cities Media at Green Cities Florida to discuss some of their recent advancements and the status of solar in the Sunshine State. One thing is clear from this interview; Florida is keeping Advanced Solar Photonics busy. Born from a laser systems producer, Advanced Solar Photonics quickly found a home in the sustainability industry by creating parts for solar panels. The demand for parts led to the idea of selling entire solar panels and even the production of solar farms. Green Cities turned out to be the perfect opportunity for this rapidly expanding company. The media attention and sheer number of participants made it a perfect place for Advanced Solar Photonics to spread their message to a diverse and attentive audience.

Listen to the podcast now.

In the spirit of true sustainability and the triple bottom line, ASP is a completely American made company, even their productions means are 100% American. Not only does this mean a more efficient way to produce their panels, but their expansion directly relates to Florida’s economy. Maureen states that they are expected to fill 1,500 green jobs over the next two years in Florida’s Lake Mary region. When asked about their future opportunities Ms. McHale responded with one word “Endless”. She and ASP have plenty to look forward to, especially with the backing of government initiatives from the Obama administration and locally in Florida. They have no intention on squandering their good fortune, as they are making plans to diversify their brand. One way in particular are the “Brown Fields” created by past manufacturing sectors in Florida where developers cannot build homes. Here they found opportunity in crisis as “Brown Fields” are perfect for installing solar farms, which in essence turn the land from brown to green. These farms range from the size of a city block to a 2,500 acre lot. This opens the door to become one of the largest energy producers selling power back to utility companies. Combine this with their assorted list of clients and Florida’s initiative to create solar cities and Advanced Solar Photonics is set to be a major player in the industry for years to come.

—————Transcript of Interview - May 20, 2009

I’m Kimberly Miller for Green Cities Media speaking today with Maureen McHale of Advanced Solar Photonics, whose tagline is “innovation today for a brighter tomorrow,” and we’re broadcasting actually from Green Cities here in Orlando, Florida. Welcome, Maureen. Thanks so much for joining me today.
Thanks for having me.

So I want to go ahead and start off by asking kind of the history of the company, where the idea for Advanced Solar Photonics come from and what kind of things were you guys interested in whenever you started this company?

Sure. The owner of the company actually started making laser systems for all different types of industries, everything from flat panel displays, semi-conductor, aeronautical, automotive, industrial applications. A lot of those applications are very similar to the photovotaics where the panels need to be cut; the glass needs to be cut. They need to be scribed. Lots of lasers are used in the making of them so we developed a solar line, and from that point, because there’s so much demand for solar panels, the owner said, “You know what? We should not only sell the equipment that makes the panels, we should make panels.”

Right.
And here we are.

Terrific, so how long ago did that get started?
The company’s been around since nineteen ninety something…in the nineties, and Advanced Solar Photonics spent the last several years making equipment specifically for the solar industry. The first panels are actually coming off our line in July of this year.

Terrific; and whenever these panels come off of your line, what is it specifically that is going to set them apart from other panels that are out there?
Well not only are they made with the latest technology and lasers, they’re also manufactured in a lean way in that all of the processes and technologies used are very efficient making our panels very efficient and also the panels are going to be made of 100% American made components the equipment even is made in America.

Terrific!
So we’re 100% American-made.

Alright, and you know sometimes I think people forget that part of the triple bottom line and sustainability and this kind of conversation also needs to have jobs here in the United States. That’s really important.
Right; and we are growing so fast. In the next two years we’ll have fifteen hundred new green positions.

That’s terrific. And so will those be located in Florida?
Yes, actually in Lake Mary, which is just north of Orlando.

So you guys are located here in Florida, the sunshine state; seems like it’s a good place for you guys to be. How has the reception been for this kind of technology?
It has been fantastic. As soon as we announced that we were going to be making panels, the phones were ringing, the emails were coming in left and right, and shows like this just attract more attention to what we’re doing and how great renewables can be for everyone.

Certainly; and so who do you see as your biggest client? Is it business people? Is it people who are wanting to put solar panels on their homes? Who’s your target audience?
We’re working with everyone along the chain. We’re going to work with installers, distributors, all the way up to utility companies that want to buy our power. We intend to put solar farms together so that we can sell back to the electric companies.

That’s terrific. So what do you think is the future of solar photonics?
It’s endless. Literally every week we get bigger and bigger, and more things change. It’s nothing but bright and green.

So with the new Obama administration a lot of green initiatives being put into place…do you think that’s going to affect your business specifically? And do you think this is an easier climate with this administration to try and advance this business?
I think more people are talking about renewables because of the government initiatives today. It’s nothing but good. It’s a start at least people are starting to understand and recognizing solar panels. I went down to the beach this past weekend, and I saw solar panels lighting up the channel markers for the beaches and the boats so it’s becoming recognizable. Everybody’s talking about it, and the more government incentives, the more state incentives that can bring down the costs for normal people like you and me to put them on their houses, and the better it is.

So what is it about Green Cities specifically that was attractive for your company to come here?
It’s definitely the number of people we were able to get in front of, the media attention, the government officials that were here, the fact that Orlando is becoming a green city. I mean it’s huge for us. So anything that we can tag along with and be involved in is where we want to be.
So what kind of advancements would you like to see in Florida happen in the next 5-10 years?
I’m definitely excited about the new solar studies about more green everything; from the booth next to us has the pavers that the water penetrates through to, like I said, the solar panels lighting up traffic lights and overhead displays and all those kind of things. Just more and more renewable sources

Right; it seems like a real change towards sustainability is actually happening, and to see it happen here in Florida is exceptionally exciting I think. So are there any upcoming projects that you guys are going to be working on that maybe you’re excited or that you could share with us?
Yes, actually we’re looking to do a project for Seminal County School systems, and trying to put panels on their roofs, and power their buildings. There’s, like I said, solar farms that we’re putting together. There’s something called Brown Fields, where there’s been waste from companies and other manufacturing processes that have gotten into the ground, and they can no longer use the ground for new buildings. They can’t put houses there unless they do a huge cleanup. Our panels and our solar towers are perfect for that because we can make a solar farm, put panels on there, and generate electricity from a piece of land that may not even be usable.

That’s terrific. So with these Brown Fields and solar farms, about how long does it take to complete a project like that?
Well thankfully we have this great technology we’ve just partnered with, a manufacturing fabricator that has a technology that can put a post for the tower into the ground in about three hours time. Normally, it would take a month for the concrete to set and things like that. It’s the same technology that was used to put the fence between Mexico and Texas so it’s like 120 miles plus, and they did it in like sixty-one days. So this is a fast way to do things. So literally we can put a farm up in a matter of weeks and not months or years

Great; so more efficient.
Exactly.

So how big are these Brown Fields and solar farms? Do you have a rough estimate? There’s all different sizes. Depending on the size of the contamination, it could be anywhere from a city block to acres and acres. We’re looking to cover probably about twenty-five hundred acres. There’s some in Pensacola; some here; other local companies have them. So we’re partnering with these people to make those Brown Fields green. It’s what we’re trying to do.

Right. That’s amazing. Well I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like you guys have an incredible year or five ahead of you.
It’s very exciting.

And it’s really nice to meet you and have you here at Green Cities.
Well thanks a lot!