In Aurora, Solar Roofing Systems Inc. makes roofs that not only keep out rain and snow, but also convert the sun's energy into electricity. Its first models are for flat surfaces. Soon, says CEO Norm Dodd, it will have materials for slopes so artfully crafted they'll offer no hint they generate power.
The small company looks like a Canadian success story. Three years ago, it purchased an American inventor's patent, then, dramatically improved on it. Its manufacturing plant employs 16 GTA residents.
It's evidence, surely, that this country is sprinting ahead in the race to develop solar, wind and other renewable energy sources to replace polluting fossil fuels and costly nuclear power.
Not so fast, though.
Solar Roofing is being sold to Open Energy, a California company.
Incentives introduced by Bush — yes, that Bush — and several state governments have created hot U.S. markets for alternative energy products. In fact, even before the takeover, 90 per cent of Solar Roofing's sales were south of the border.
Open Energy is paying more than $20 million for the young Aurora business.
"They see the future of a company like ours," Dodd says.
His story is typical, industry people say. Canada offers too little to entrepreneurs trying to develop products that promote conservation, energy efficiency and renewable sources of electricity, or to consumers who balk at their up-front costs. As a result, the country is in danger of missing a chance to not only improve the environment but also create new industries and thousands of jobs.
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It's Time Canada Gets Serious About Energy
Posted on Sunday, February 26 at 11:44 by AnonymousContributed By
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<br />
SA solar research eclipses rest of the world<br />
Willem Steenkamp<br />
February 11 2006 at 12:50PM<br />
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In a scientific breakthrough that has stunned the world, a team of South African scientists has developed a revolutionary new, highly efficient solar power technology that will enable homes to obtain all their electricity from the sun.<br />
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This means high electricity bills and frequent power failures could soon be a thing of the past.<br />
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The unique South African-developed solar panels will make it possible for houses to become completely self-sufficient for energy supplies.<br />
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The panels are able to generate enough energy to run stoves, geysers, lights, TVs, fridges, computers - in short all the mod-cons of the modern house.<br />
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The new technology should be available in South Africa within a year and through a special converter, energy can be fed directly into the wiring of existing houses. New powerful storage units will allow energy storage to meet demands even in winter. The panels are so efficient they can operate through a Cape Town winter. while direct sunlight is ideal for high-energy generation, other daytime light also generates energy via the panels.<br />
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SNIP<br />
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The new, highly efficient and cheap alloy solar panel is much more efficient than the costly old silicone solar panels.<br />
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International experts have admitted that nothing else comes close to the effectiveness of the South African invention.<br />
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The South African solar panels consist of a thin layer of a unique metal alloy that converts light into energy. The photo-responsive alloy can operate on virtually all flexible surfaces, which means it could in future find a host of other applications.<br />
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Alberts said the new panels are approximately five microns thick (a human hair is 20 microns thick) while the older silicon panels are 350 microns thick. the cost of the South African technology is a fraction of the less effective silicone solar panels.<br />
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<a href="http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=vn20060211110132138C184427">http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=143&art_id=vn20060211110132138C184427</a>