— Brian Robertson, CEO,
Amonix Inc
US-based
Amonix is the global leader in concentrated photovoltaic
solar power systems, which offer unmatched advantages over other
solar technologies. Amonix recently entered India through a tie-up
with domestic company Thermax Ltd.
Brian Robertson in this
exclusive interaction discusses its agreement with Thermax,
explains the revolutionary CPV technology and explains why he
believes that his company can play a key role in helping India attain
its solar power ambitions. An interview by
Venugopal Pillai.
To begin with, tell us more on the recent agreement with
Thermax Ltd. Please elaborate on the role played by each of the
two partners.
Amonix is the proven leading designer and manufacturer of
concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems that offer
more energy per acre than any other solar technology, use land
better and do not use any water in the production of power. Amonix
leads the market with over 70 per cent of all CPV installations.
Amonix was looking to make a serious entrance into India and
needed a partner with best-in-class engineering, procurement and
construction (EPC) expertise. Thermax, an India leader in energy
and environmental management, proved to be the ideal partner.
Together, Amonix and Thermax offer to deploy turnkey Amonix CPV
solar systems in India.
What was the rationale in selecting Thermax as your EPC partner?
Thermax is a widely diversified, experienced partner with more
than 50 energy projects in development all over the world,
supplying world-class EPC services. They have a strong
delivery track record, supply chain knowledge and construction
experience specific to India, all necessary for Amonix' entry
into the Indian market. Thermax also offers local market
knowledge we need to establish ourselves in sunny and dry
regions of India.
Is your agreement with Thermax exclusive?
At this time, the Amonix and Thermax partnership is exclusive.
Please summarize your outlook on the Indian solar power industry.
India is a fast developing solar energy market with multi-level
policy support from state and federal governments. The federal
solar program, NSM (National Solar Mission), has a goal of
installing 20 GW of solar by 2022 which makes India a promising
nation to enter. Amonix systems produce more energy per acre
than any other solar technology in sunny and dry climates. Parts of
India, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan, are greatly suited for Amonix
CPV systems.
What is your view on India's National Solar Mission that has
envisaged 1 GW of solar power capacity by 2013 in the first phase?
As we understand, solar energy involves capital-intensive
technology and its proliferation depends largely on government
subsidy. What is your view in the Indian context?
Amonix is the first CPV company to make a major push into India,
we believe. We also believe our CPV solar systems have great
potential to help India meet its sustainable growth goals of 1 GW by
2013. Amonix can leverage its strong manufacturing partner relationships to rapidly scale technology for deployment in India.
With our strategic partnership with Thermax, we are well poised
for growth.
Please describe in some detail the concentrated photovoltaic
(CPV) solar power technology of Amonix, mainly in the context of
it being "waterless".
The Amonix 7700 is the world's most efficient solar power system
(40 per cent cell, 31 per cent module, 29 per cent system) in sunny
and dry climates and can be deployed rapidly at half a mw postpedestal
installation daily. The Amonix system incorporates
economical and durable acrylic lenses (over 12 years of field
sustainability) that collect sunlight, concentrating it up to 500 times
its usual intensity. Integrated high efficiency multijunction solar
cells enable multiple layers of energy conversion to increase
efficiency, ultimately creating the lowest energy production costs.
This robust factory-fabricated sub-system is designed for easy
installation and field adjustability to maximize production time and
predictability. Amonix modular technology encompasses all the
components necessary for long-term, reliable dual axis tracking
and predictable solar energy production through its concentrated
photovoltaic cells.
Yes, Amonix systems use no water in the production of power,
only minimal amounts for cleaning. Also, since land costs in India
are high, Amonix systems are an ideal choice, since they use only 4
acres per mw. Our systems are pedestal-mounted which use land
better and do not require large parcels of land to be specially
graded or prepared.
How does this technology measure up, in terms of efficiency, to
conventional CSP technology?
Amonix CPV solar power systems offer more efficiency at low
energy production costs per acre than any other solar technology.
As I said earlier, we offer 40 per cent cell, 31 per cent module and
29 per cent AC system efficiency, more than double other
competing solar technologies. Amonix CPV systems are continually
approving in efficiency, with lots of headroom.
Apart from India now, in which other emerging economies have you
recently tapped or are in the process of doing so?
Amonix systems have been installed in Spain since 2005 and we are
actively exploring key regions of the world with high DNI (direct
normal irradiance).
Which are the countries in which Amonix operates outside the US?
Which has been the biggest solar power plant supplied by Amonix
anywhere in the world till date?
Amonix has over 70 per cent market share of CPV including the
largest CPV power plants utilizing Amonix CPV technology-an 8-mw
plant in Villafranca, Spain-and a recently commissioned 2-mw
power plant in Tucson, Arizona, the largest in the US.
The world's largest CPV power plant in construction, a 30-mw
installation in Colorado, will be powered by Amonix CPV solar
power systems.
Tell us in brief about how solar power technology at Amonix has
evolved over the past two decades of the company's existence. Can
we expect some more technology innovations in the coming years?
Amonix has been in business for over 21 years with over 16 years
of field deployments. This is by far longer than any CPV
manufacturer around. Amonix systems have consistently
evolved over the years, improving efficiencies and lowering
energy production costs.
In 2007, Amonix was one of the first organizations to bring III-V
multijunction cell technology down to Earth. Incorporating the
world's most efficient solar cell into our systems resulted in
doubling the energy generation within the same system footprint.
Continuous advancements to system components, efficiency
gains, optical improvements and reduction of overall power losses
will continue to increase performance. In addition to performance
upgrades, controlling manufacturing costs will allow solar to be
cost-comparable to traditional forms of energy generation. As the
solar component supply chain matures, manufacturing processes
become more efficient and volume-scaling cost savings will occur.
This combination will result in even lower costs and higher
efficiencies over time.
Do you think India could make a significant contribution to the
global business portfolio of Amonix in the medium term? What
drives this optimism?
The National Solar Mission's targets of installing 20 GW by 2020
and our recent partnership with Thermax offers strong promising
factors for Amonix to successfully add Indian installations to our
worldwide portfolio. Amonix solar power systems thrive in sunny
and dry climates where the DNI is high. India offers areas where
Amonix systems will deliver more efficiency per acre at lower
energy production costs.