Advanced Solar Photonics

Advanced Solar Photonics Featured in the Orlando Sentinel

2009-12-01T12:45:00.000-08:00

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

2009-07-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

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

Advanced Solar Photonics Expands Distributor Network

2009-06-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

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 407-804-1081 or visit our website at http://www.advancedsolarphotonics.com.

Here comes the sun - Solar panel plant energizes Lake Mary

2009-06-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

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 is NOW SELLING SOLAR PANELS!

2009-06-10T13:18:00.000-07:00

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) 804-1081 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
407-804-1081
www.advancedsolarphotonics.com

Listen to our Podcast Now!

2009-06-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

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!

ASP Sponsors GreenCities™ Florida

2009-05-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Lake Mary, Fl., May 26, 2009 – Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP), the cutting-edge developer of laser systems and one hundred percent American made monocrystalline solar panels recently sponsored Florida’s first GreenCities™ event in Orlando. This conference, an innovative sustainability conference for business, government and community was held May 20th and 21st, at the Orange County Convention Center.

“In sponsoring GreenCities™ Florida, Advanced Solar Photonics’ goal was to promote renewable energy in the state of Florida, said ASP’s Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Maureen McHale.

The conference offered a highly interactive, outcome-based portfolio of workshops presented with practical steps and specific plans for participating in the growing $400 billion green economy. State and national experts in green government, business, and technology provided practical tools, case studies, and resources. Additionally, numerous speakers' focused on sharing vital information driving today’s new green economy and moving Florida towards a sustainable future.

Orange County Mayor, Richard Crotty kicked off the event by cutting the green ribbon for the grand opening and dedication of Orange County's new Climate Change Education Center. Following the dedication ceremony, in addition to the Mayor, Senator Lee Constantine and Lt. Governor John Lushetsky participated in flipping the switch on Orange County's new one megawatt solar system on the rooftop of the convention center.

“We believe GreenCities™ Florida was an excellent opportunity for key people to meet and take the first steps towards changing Florida’s future which is why Advanced Solar Photonics not only had a booth in the tradeshow area, our CEO, Demitri Nikitin, was the keynote speaker at the sustainability in manufacturing session. Additionally, ASP sponsored the evening networking reception, at the Orlando Peabody Hotel, for all convention attendees. In the end, because of the connections we were able to make, it was well worth the sponsorship.” said McHale.

Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP) located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. ASP manufacturers cutting-edge solar panels and commercial solar products for the solar industry.

Media Contact:
Maureen McHale
Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager
mmchale@advancedsolarphotonics.com
407-804-1081
www.advancedsolarphotonics.com

Advanced Solar Photonics Solar Panels are 100% American Made

2009-05-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

Lake Mary, Fl., May 6, 2009 – Advanced Solar Photonics (ASP) announced today that the company’s monocrystalline solar panels which are slated to come off the line in July of 2009, will be one hundred percent American made.

“We are very proud to be the only monocrystalline solar panel manufacturer that can say our panels are completely made in the United States,” said ASPs’ Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Maureen McHale.

Currently, clean rooms are in place, equipment is being installed and a pilot line will be up and running within the next few weeks to allow for full certification. Starting at 5MW in July and ramping up to 100MW at the end of 2009, ASP will increase production capacity by 50MW every quarter thereafter to be at 500MW by 2011. Additionally, full thin film production is scheduled to ramp up to 40MW by late 2010.

“Our SolarFAB™ facility will not only be largest thin film and monocrystalline solar manufacturing plant in the United States, but unlike any other company, 100% of the components and materials for our monocrystalline panels will be made in America. Even the equipment used for production is made in the United States.” said McHale.

This new facility will not only manufacture American made solar products, but will also be responsible for the creation of green jobs. ASP expects to hire approximately 200 people by the end of the summer of 2009 and another 1300 over the next two years.

Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP) located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. ASP’s cutting-edge laser equipment for solar panel processing, solar cells, and commercial solar products for the solar industry is applicable to both the silicon and thin-film processes.

Media Contact:
Maureen McHale
Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager
mmchale@advancedsolarphotonics.com
407-804-1081
www.advancedsolarphotonics.com

ASP Featured Again!

2009-05-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

As seen on:

Advanced Solar Photonics has expanded its SolarFAB solar panel manufacturing facility to produce 40MW of thin film and up to 500MW of monocrystalline solar panels.

Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP), has increased the product line for its previously announced SolarFAB™ project in Lake Mary, Florida to include not only thin film, but also mono-crystalline solar modules.

“Originally, our SolarFab™ production plant would only manufacture thin film modules, up to 40MW. However, due to high response for our panels, Advanced Solar Photonics will not only be producing thin film, but also mono-crystalline panels,” said Maureen McHale, Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager for ASP. “This new silicon line would initially be 25MW, ramping up to 50MW in a fairly short span of time. Within 2 years it's possible we'll be at 500MW of monocrystalline modules.”

Having securing a 318,000 square foot facility within the last year, ASP is in the assembly stage of developing the two lines. Clean rooms are in place, equipment is starting to arrive and a pilot line will be up and running within the next few weeks. The first mono-crystalline panels are slated to some off the line by the end of the summer, 2009. Full thin film production is scheduled to ramp up by late 2010.

“Adding another dimension to the manufacturing plant not only allows us to meet customer demands, it also increases job creation for the Central Florida area. Up from projecting approximately 200 green jobs, we now estimate SolarFAB™ will employ 1500 people,” said McHale.

With the dependence on foreign oil, environmental degradation and the vulnerability of power networks, SolarFAB™ SunPanels™, both thin film and the new mono-crystalline, will help meet government and consumers’ growing demand for increasingly efficient and cost- effective solar power.

Advanced Solar Photonics, located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. Reaching out to the photovoltaic industry, ASP strives to lower manufacturing costs utilizing proven patented technology geared to improve and lower the cost per kilowatt. This technology is applicable to both the silicon and thin film processes.

ASP in the News - on Nanowerk

2009-05-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

As seen on Nanowerk – the world's most comprehensive nanotechnology and nanoscience resources...

Advanced Solar Photonics Expands SolarFAB Facility to Manufacture Thin Film and Mono-Crystalline Solar Modules

(Nanowerk News) Advanced Solar Photonics, (ASP), the cutting-edge developer of laser marking, scribing, edge deletion and edge isolation systems for the solar industry, has increased the product line for its previously announced SolarFAB™ project in Lake Mary, Florida to include not only thin film, but also mono-crystalline solar modules.

“Originally, our SolarFab™ production plant would only manufacture thin film modules, up to 40MW. However, due to high response for our panels, Advanced Solar Photonics will not only be producing thin film, but also mono-crystalline panels,” said Maureen McHale, Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager for ASP. “This new silicon line would initially be 25MW, ramping up to 50MW in a fairly short span of time. Within 2 years it's possible we'll be at 500MW of monocrystalline modules.”

Having securing a 318,000 square foot facility within the last year, ASP is in the assembly stage of developing the two lines. Clean rooms are in place, equipment is starting to arrive and a pilot line will be up and running within the next few weeks. The first mono-crystalline panels are slated to some off the line by the end of the summer, 2009. Full thin film production is scheduled to ramp up by late 2010.

“Adding another dimension to the manufacturing plant not only allows us to meet customer demands, it also increases job creation for the Central Florida area. Up from projecting approximately 200 green jobs, we now estimate SolarFAB™ will employ 1500 people,” said McHale.

With the dependence on foreign oil, environmental degradation and the vulnerability of power networks, SolarFAB™ SunPanels™, both thin film and the new mono-crystalline, will help meet government and consumers’ growing demand for increasingly efficient and cost- effective solar power.

Advanced Solar Photonics (advancedsolarphotonics.com), located in Lake Mary, Florida employs an international team of technology driven professionals. Reaching out to the photovoltaic industry, ASP strives to lower manufacturing costs utilizing proven patented technology geared to improve and lower the cost per kilowatt. This technology is applicable to both the silicon and thin film processes.

Orlando: A leader in solar technology

2009-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

Advanced Solar Photonics in the News

With warm weather and consistent sunshine, Florida is an ideal location for solar research and application. And with growing awareness of clean technology, Orlando is poised to become a leading force in the solar industry.

The existence of a strong technology cluster and proximity to the University of Central Florida (UCF) - one of the nation's top research universities - help set Orlando apart. In addition to research being conducted by UCF's Florida Solar Energy Center, local companies are working to leave their mark on the industry as well. Lake Mary based Advanced Solar Photonics is poised to become Florida's first photovoltaic solar manufacturer by producing thin-film solar panels. In nearby Longwood, SKYShades is merging shade structures and solar power by harnessing thin-film solar technology atop sidewalk umbrellas dubbed "Powerbrellas" in order to power small electronics.

For more information on the growing clean tech industry in Metro Orlando, click here.

Watch below as Executive Vice President of SKYShades, Joe McKenna, provides more info on the "Powerbrella."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjeUkqpWBFM&feature=player_embedded

Advanced Solar Photonics Was Featured in Texture Magazine!

2009-04-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Page 14 of the Metro Orlando Economic Commissions' Texture magazine has a write up about Advanced Solar Photonics...

Click on the picture to the left to read the article.

Advanced Solar Photonics Featured on Fox35 News - WOFL - Orlando, Fl

2009-04-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

Advanced Solar Photonics was featured on the 6, 7 and 8am news here in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. The four spots featured Demitri Nikitin, CEO of ASP, Edgardo Rodriguez, VP of ASP, Kristen Breunig, Market Development Manager of ASP and Maureen McHale, Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Manager.

Following the segments, Steve Gelbach, the reporter for Fox 35 wrote and posted the following piece on their website:

Business Ramps Up to Make Solar Panels

Last Edited: Tuesday, 31 Mar 2009, 12:26 PM EDT
Created On: Tuesday, 31 Mar 2009, 12:25 PM EDT
STEVE GEHLBACH FOX 35 News Reporter

LAKE MARY, Fla. - Advanced Solar Photonics will soon be the only place in the Sunshine State to make panels to capture energy from the sun. Solar power is becoming more popular on homes and businesses, but installers have to get the high-tech panels from outside Florida.

The company hopes to start making the panels by June and plans to add hundreds of jobs. President Barack Obama promised billions in funding to great new green jobs and make alternative energy sources more available. Advanced Solar Photonics hopes to cash in on some of those federal dollars.

The company is also working to get legislation passed to make it cheaper for homeowners to switch to solar power by paying them a premium for power they make, but don't use and sell back to power companies. The cost to install solar panels onto your house can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the size of the house and system used.

Advanced Solar Photonics in the NEWS!

2009-03-30T13:27:00.000-07:00

Solar Industry featured Advanced Solar Photonics new Laser Comb!

To read the complete article, click on the logo below:

Lake Mary firm to build first solar panel plant in Florida

2009-03-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

Advanced Solar Photonics was featured in the Orlando Business Journal.

Advanced Solar Photonics LLC, a laser technology provider for solar panel makers, will build the first solar panel module plant in Florida, creating up to 200 new jobs...

Read the complete story here:

Advanced Solar Photonics Announces the SolarTower™

2009-03-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

The SolarTower™ generates approximately 4 kW per SolarTower™.

It's automated sun following allows the SolarTower™ to move with the suns motion, maintaining constant solar exposure.

Multiple SunPanels™ can be added for increased power generation.

A small plot size is needed for installation .

The SolarTower™ meets state requirements for solar energy incentive programs .

Its modular design of base can accommodate additional panels as needed.

The SolarTower™ is Advanced Solar Photonics’ commercial photovoltaic solution for solar energy by commercial and industrial businesses. The Solar Towers™ design allows for the highest amount of energy produced with the smallest footprint. This new design incorporates Advanced Solar Photonics’ SunPanels™ by mounting them to an innovative modular pole design allowing for ingenious utilization of space. Our SunPanels™ can be mounted strategically around your facility without the use of conventional mounting on roofs.