Blue Square Energy Announces 14.6 Percent Efficient Solar Cell
on Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon
November 5, 2008 (North East, MD) – Blue
Square Energy, a developer and manufacturer of low-cost silicon solar cells, today announced that it has produced a
14.6 percent efficient solar cell with its patent-pending Bright Point technology. BSE’s efficiency result is
one of the highest in the world on upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon and has been verified independently
by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
“What we’ve been able to accomplish is a major milestone
towards achieving our goal of creating low-cost solar energy for homes and businesses,” said Joseph Babin, CEO of
BSE. “This proves that inexpensive silicon typically considered unsuited for the solar industry can be
utilized to create solar energy that is price accessible for most Americans. Solar modules made with our
Bright Point technology will soon be the best choice for those who care about our environment and their wallets –
and want to save both.”
BSE’s Bright Point technology is unique because of its two part
structure: a fine layer of high-grade silicon is placed on top of 4N UMG silicon, which differs significantly from
the solar industry’s silicon norm by way of cost and availability. Bright Point technology is possible
because of BSE’s proprietary engineering and scientific discoveries.
UMG silicon has drawn a great deal of industry attention as
companies seek substitutes to traditional and rare solar grade silicon in the fabrication of their solar cells.
However, most UMG technologies being developed focus on blending low percentages of inexpensive UMG silicon with
expensive solar grade silicon. This results in a minimal cost reduction. Through Bright Point, Blue Square Energy
uses 100 percent 4N UMG silicon, which results in a significant cost reduction relative to other UMG silicon solar
cell products.
Creating low-cost solar cells is the first step in BSE’s goal
of eventually manufacturing the world’s highest efficiency, lowest cost solar cell. This Bright Point II
technology is currently in research and development.
About Blue Square Energy
Blue Square Energy is a developer and manufacturer of
high-performance silicon solar cells headquartered in North East, Maryland. Its proprietary Bright Point solar cell
technology utilizes upgraded metallurgical grade silicon to produce low-cost solar cells for use in homes and
business. More information about Blue Square Energy can be found at www.BlueSquareEnergy.com.
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