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Carmanah Technologies Corp.  announced today the launch of the EG500 solar LED outdoor lighting system, the company’s latest product and most powerful solar-powered outdoor light to date. With the addition of this next-generation EG-series system, which provides maximum light levels for highway lighting applications, Carmanah provides a complete range of solar-powered outdoor lights that addresses the needs of cost-sensitive developing regions throughout the world.

 

The EG500 solar LED outdoor streetlight, the largest in the EG-series product line, is designed as a powerful and cost-effective off-grid lighting solution. Capable of providing over 11,000 lumens for multi-lane highway light levels, the EG500 is a reliable and robust alternative to traditional AC lighting. The EG500 features a top-of-pole integrated design which allows for an easy and rapid installation and superior theft and vandalism protection. The EG500 leverages award-winning design elements of the Carmanah EverGEN™ 1700 and 1500-series product lines and is engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions and wind load ratings of up to 209 kph (130 mph) with 3 second gusts.

“The EG500 expands our ability to provide a high power solution for virtually any off-grid application while further extending our reach into cost-sensitive, developing markets worldwide,” said Bruce Cousins, Carmanah CEO.

We now offer a complete line of EG products that have been performance-built to illuminate pathways, parks, freeways and everything in between.

The EG500 solar LED outdoor lighting system is available immediately in standard IES distribution types II, III, IV, V and flood and feature a 3-year limited warranty.

For more information, visit www.carmanah.com or call 1-877-722-8877.

About Carmanah Technologies Corporation

As one of the most trusted names in solar technology, Carmanah has earned a reputation for delivering strong and effective products for industrial applications worldwide. Industry proven to perform reliably in some of the world’s harshest environments, Carmanah solar LED lights and solar power systems provide a durable, dependable and cost effective energy alternative. Carmanah is a publicly traded company, with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMH”. For more information, visit carmanah.com.

Onyx Service & Solutions Inc (otcqb:ONYX) is applauding news released from the University of Texas at Austin stating that one of its chemists has discovered a way that may allow solar panel efficiency to be doubled, possibly reaching as high as 66%. Such a development is capable of causing a positive “sea-change” in the solar power industry.

At the heart of current solar panel functionality, the panel absorbs photons from the sun. Photons are then converted into electrons. An issue with regular photovoltaic panels is that much of the energy delivered by sunlight results in the conversion of “hot” electrons, which are too high-energy to be converted to electricity in silicon and are instead lost as heat. University of Texas Chemistry professor Xiaoyang Zhu and his team discovered that an organic plastic semiconductor could double the number of electrons harvested out of one photon of sunlight.

 

“At current, approximately 31% insolation-to-electricity efficiency of a silicon solar cell is considered to be the maximum in the solar industry,” stated ONYX President Malcolm Burleson. “Being able to cheaply double the efficiency and even being able to reach 66% efficiency could potentially erase the barriers of competing with cheap fossil fuels very quickly.”

Professor Zhu’s process involves absorbing the photon of sunlight in Pentacene (a form of plastic) to produce a dark quantum “shadow state” from which two electrons can be retrieved, instead of just one.

ONYX management is closely following this new development and the timing of when this new technology could be available in the marketplace. The Company’s unique business model of concentrating on competing in energy markets that could yield higher margins and avoiding reliance on subsidies and government loans appears to have given the Company an edge in the current shakeout.

“It is apparent that the solar companies with weaker business models will struggle, possibly lessening the field of competition for ONYX in the future,” said Burleson. “Having access to economical 66% efficiency panels after the industry shakeout could potentially be extremely lucrative for a Company positioned like ONYX.”

ONYX is currently developing the construction of multiple solar power projects in Honduras – one as large as 22 megawatts, as well as developing solar projects in Panama and solar product distribution arrangements in Peru and Columbia.

Onyx Service & Solutions, Inc. acquires, develops and markets the most promising and potentially profitable energy projects and technologies possible. Management has focused on benefiting citizens of Central and South America with energy alternatives to costly power options by achieving multiple business accomplishments there. The Onyx mission is to manifest cutting edge energy technology, products, manufacturing advances and construction projects to successfully compete in a global energy marketplace, which includes GE GE +2.32% , JinkoSolar JKS +8.39% , Empresa Nacional de Electricida EOC +0.16% and CPFL Energia S.A. CPL +1.25%

For more information on the Company see: www.OnyxService.com

Southwest Solar Technologies Inc. announced this week the successful on-sun testing and proof of concept of an innovative concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar power technology. The CPV technology leverages other core competencies of the Company and will be a new addition to its product portfolio.

 

CPV technology is widely acknowledged to have the potential to be less costly than current flat panel and thin film photovoltaic (PV) products by exploiting the very high efficiency of advanced CPV cells, and thereby produce electricity at a lower cost per kWh. CPV cells have reached over 40% efficiency in production, and under current development efforts are expected to achieve in excess of 50%. Additionally, in sunny climates the two-axis tracking of CPV systems also increases annual energy production up to 30% or more, compared to standard non-tracking PV systems.

The Company’s new patent pending design utilizes currently available multi-junction solar cells combined with innovative approaches to concentrator optics, thermal management, power electronics, and ease of manufacturing.

The Company’s product demonstrates a unique flux management capability that enables non-uniform light intensity to be used, enabling its integration with a variety of optical systems including conventional Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) solar dishes and heliostat systems, instead of being limited to special purpose built optics and lenses. This can create broad market potential. The CPV system translates CSP concentrated light to efficiently deliver 1200 “suns” to the CPV cells.

Additionally, the new CPV system uses internal liquid-to-air cooling, which also can deliver free heat for on-site customer use enabling Combined Heat and Power (CHP) applications.

The primary factors that should lead to lower cost per kWh power include high efficiency, a design focus on low cost components and manufacturing processes, the ability to configure the product to leverage a variety of CSP optics, and the CHP potential.

“This new product introduction utilizes the Company’s core competencies in our solar dish concentrator designs and structures, thermodynamics, optics, and electronics. Leveraging our competencies into a diverse product portfolio is key to our business strategy,” said Brad Forst, CEO.

The Company’s product development and testing is conducted at its headquarters and operations facility at Southwest Solar Research Park in Phoenix, Arizona. www.swsolartech.com

SOURCE: Southwest Solar Technologies

SunMaxx Solar announces the upcoming TitanPower Plus SU 3.0 Series Flat Plate Collectors. SunMaxx Solar will be offering the 3.0 model for delivery starting on October 1st 2011

The TitanPower Plus SU 3.0 Flat Plate Collector combines the high efficiency construction of the smaller versions combined with the industry standard size of 4 x 8 ft. in addition to its high efficiency, the 3.0 collector is offered with a standard 12 year warranty and extended 20 year performance warranty.

 

 

Replace your existing projects with a higher performing and longer lasting flat plate collector that has guaranteed performance! The standard 4 x 8 ft collector size allows for easy integration into existing pre-engineered solar thermal projects. Save time and money on large scale commercial solar thermal projects.

The 3.0 series is designed for commercial applications and large scale process heating systems. Each collector utilizes the industry’s leading TiNOX copper absorber plate with 95% absorption efficiency. Its low profile stainless steel frame yields a 96% gross aperture to surface area ration, amongst the highest power density in the industry.

For additional information on the TitanPower Plus SU3.0 Flat Plate collector, please visit http://www.sunmaxxsolar.com/titan-power-plus-su2-flat-plate-solar-collector.php

SunMaxx Solar is an industry leader in the manufacture and distribution of turnkey solar thermal solutions for domestic hot water and space heating applications. For more information visit us online at www.sunmaxxsolar.com. You can also contact a solar thermal specialist at 1.877.876.6299.

* Due to the relocation of SunMaxx Solars manufacturing facility to a larger facility the availability of the 4X8 collectors has been delayed. Updates will be provided

*  Product will be made available for sale starting August 11th 2011.

Source: SunMaxx Solar

 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week announced that USDA has selected for funding 67 projects nationwide that are focused on helping rural agricultural producers reduce energy consumption and costs; use renewable energy technologies in their operation; and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Funding is made available through the Rural Energyfor America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. Under Secretary for Ru

ral Development Dallas Tonsager made the announcement on behalf of the Secretary while attending the Pennsylvania meeting of the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA).

 

“The Obama Administration is committed to making America more energy efficient, and in doing so, more competitive by encouraging rural businesses build renewable energy systems,” said Tonsager.

The projects announced today will provide rural small businesses and agricultural producers the opportunity to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy system installations. Eligible intermediaries, such as universities, will receive funds to conduct energy audits which will lead to energy savings and initiatives that will reduce energy consumption for years to come.

Tonsager said that Pennsylvania State University has been selected to receive a $99,676 grant to conduct a statewide initiative that offers technical assistance and workforce solutions through energy audits. Saint Francis University, also in Pennsylvania, was selected to receive $100,000 to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy consumption and cost through technical assistance provided by the university.

In Charleston, W. Va., the West Virginia Division of Energy has been selected to receive a $100,000 grant to complete 130 energy audits for rural small businesses to help them reduce energy usage and operating costs. Boise State University in Idaho was selected to receive a $100,000 grant to offer energy savings- information and energy audits to more than 1,500 manufacturing-related agricultural producers and small business in the state.

Arbre Farms Corporation in Walkerville, Mich., was selected to receive $7,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing and operating an anaerobic digester that could produce and use biogas as a substitute for propane to power the farm’s boilers. “Last year, these same feasibility study funds provided through REAP assisted in a tremendous year of anaerobic digester development and are an important first step in a successful renewable energy project,” said Tonsager. “Construction is beginning on four USDA funded digester projects here in Pennsylvania and six digester projects next door in Ohio. These systems will provide additional farm income, contribute to better nutrient management, and produce clean, renewable electricity for thousands of homes in the community.”

Today’s announcement is in concert with an agreement signed by Secretary Vilsack in December, 2009. During climate change talks in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Secretary signed a historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement between USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy calls for the parties to work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms by 25 percent by 2020.

With today’s announcement, USDA is awarding more than $2.4 million in energy audits grants, Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants; and more than $1.2 million to support feasibility study projects.

Funding is made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) under the 2008 Farm Bill. REAP loan guarantees and grants can be used for renewable energy systems, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, renewable energy development assistance and energy audits. More information on the REAP program can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.html Funding of each recipient is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions for the grant. The following is a complete list of award recipients announced today.

Feasibility Study Recipients by State

Colorado

Northern Colorado WindPower, LLC – $50,000

Hawaii

Frank A. Cipriani dba Biofarms Hawaii, LLC – $14,255

Tawn I. Kenney dba The Honoka’a People’s Theater – $1,041

Pacific Light and Power, Inc. – $35,338

Iowa

Plymouth Energy, LLC – $9,829

Idaho

Don W. Gilbert Hydro Power, LLC – $14,650

Elizabeth Olson – $1,600

Indiana

e-Biofuels, LLC – $3,149

Maine

Corinth Wood Pellets, LLC – $9,000

Maryland

Berrywine Plantations, Inc., dba Linganore Winecellars – $11,625

Michigan

Arbre Farms Corporation – $7,000

Lowell Light and Power – $30,000

Suburban Aviation, Inc. – $10,000

Minnesota

Little Rock Wind, LLC – $50,000

Norfolk Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Whirlwind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Nebraska

Growth Design Energy Nebraska, LLC – $10,000

New Jersey

Renu Energy Inc., – $50,000

North Dakota

Carrie Piper Cummer – $10,000

Oregon

Donald G. Averill – $27,500

Puerto Rico

Recast Energy, LLC – $9,575

Rhode Island

Global Imaging Holdings Realty, LLC – $50,000

Plain Lane Acres, LLC – $50,000

South Dakota

Blue Cloud Wind, LLC – $50,000

Dakota Wind Energy, LLC – $50,000

Flandreau Windfarm, LLC – $50,000

Northern Wind, LLC – $50,000

West Pipestone Creek, LLC – $50,000

Texas

Gulf Coast Wind, LLC – $31,296

Hall Brothers Partnership – $25,000

Midwest Renewable Energy, Inc., – $50,000

Mr. E. Green, Inc., – $31,938

Wind Miner, LLC – $29,114

Utah

K.C. Ranches, Inc. – $50,000

Ticaboo Electric Improvement District – $50,000

Vermont

Green Mountain Clean Energy, LLC – $50,000

Lemington Solar Farm, LLC – $15,000

Virginia

Burnshire Hydroelectric, LLC – $10,000

Washington

SKS Management, LLC – $43,750

Western Pacific

Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation – $50,000

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Recipients by State

Alabama

University of Alabama – $97,500

Colorado

Colorado State University – $37,500

Delta-Montrose Electric Association – $97,325

Georgia

The University of Georgia –$100,000

Hawaii

Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; State Energy Office – $100,000

Idaho

Boise State University – $100,000

Indiana

Purdue University – $96,531

Iowa

Department of Natural Resources – $99,552

Department of Economic Development – $32,875

Kentucky

University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc. – $100,000

Maine

Greater Portland Council of Governments – $100,000

Efficiency Maine Trust – $100,000

Michigan

Michigan State University –$100,000

Minnesota

Regents of the University of Minnesota – $100,000

Nevada

Nevada System of Higher Education Desert Research Institute –$99,935

New Mexico

Regents of New Mexico State University/Institute for Energy and the Environment – $100,000

North Carolina

Land of Sky Regional Council – $99,825

North Carolina State University – $100,000

Oregon

Oregon Institute of Technology – $100,000

Oregon State University – $74,209

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State University – $99,676

Saint Francis University – $100,000

Rhode Island

Rhode Island Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. – $50,000

Washington

Washington State Department of Commerce – $100,000

Washington State University – $100,000

West Virginia

West Virginia Division of Energy – $100,000

Wyoming

Office of Research, University of Wyoming –$60,000

Since taking office, the Obama administration has taken historic steps to improve the lives of rural Americans, put people back to work and build thriving economies in rural communities. From proposing the American Jobs Act to establishing the first-ever White House Rural Council – chaired by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – the President wants the federal government to be the best possible partner for rural businesses and entrepreneurs creating job opportunities and for people who want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of more than $155 billion in affordable loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu this week announced more than $145 million for projects to help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies and ensure that the United States remains a leader in this global market.

Sixty-nine projects in 24 states will accelerate research and development to increase efficiency, lower costs, and advance cutting-edge technologies. Funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the projects will also improve materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chains for a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and components of solar energy systems. Some of these investments also support efforts that will shorten the overall timeline from prototype to production and streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar energy systems.

“America is in a world race to produce cost-competitive renewable energy that can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, create manufacturing jobs across the nation, and improve our energy security,” said Secretary Chu.

The projects announced today under DOE’s SunShot Initiative will spur American innovation to help reduce the costs of clean, renewable solar energy and re-establish U.S. global leadership in this fast growing industry.

The SunShot Initiative seeks to make solar energy systems more cost-competitive, without long-term subsidies, by reducing the cost of these systems about 75% by the end of the decade. The achievement of the SunShot Initiative goals will encourage rapid, widespread adoption of solar energy systems across the United States.

SunShot is driving innovation in the way solar energy systems are conceived, designed, manufactured, and installed. The awards announced today will target improvements across the research, development, and demonstration pipeline, from next generation technologies 7-10 years away from commercial readiness, to scientific and technological improvements which can be rapidly implemented within 5 years. The programs will create entirely new and more economical approaches to collecting solar energy and tackle fundamental challenges to ramp up use of these renewable energy technologies.

The six categories of projects announced today are:

Extreme Balance of System Hardware Cost Reductions: Nine projects to receive $42 million.

These projects will conduct research and development of new balance of system (BOS) hardware, or solar system components including power inverters and mounting racks but excluding solar panels or cells, that is inexpensive, safe, and highly reliable. BOS accounts for more than 40% of the total installed cost of solar energy systems and represents a major opportunity to achieve significant cost reductions.

Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency: Eighteen projects to receive $35.8 million.

Combining both the technical and funding resources of U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, this joint program will support research that aims to eliminate the significant gap between the efficiencies of prototype cells achieved in the laboratory and the efficiencies of cells produced on manufacturing lines. The projects under this award address cost and efficiency barriers, advance fundamental PV cell research, and develop materials and processes for more efficient, cost-effective photovoltaic cells.

Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems: Advanced Concepts: Eight projects to receive $25.9 million.

These projects will develop electronics and build smarter, more interactive systems and components so that solar energy can be integrated into the electric power distribution and transmission grid at higher levels. These technologies will help advance a smart grid that will handle two-way flows of power and communication, in contrast to the one-way power flow and limited communication that exists today.

Transformational PV Science and Technology: Next Generation Photovoltaics II: Twenty-three projects to receive $22.2 million.

These awards will fund applied research into technologies that greatly increase efficiency, lower costs, create secure and sustainable supply chains and perform more reliably than the current PV technologies. Investing in new classes of photovoltaic technology feeds the industry with the new innovations it will need to compete in the future and will help achieve the goals of the Sunshot Initiative.

Reducing Market Barriers and Non-Hardware Balance of System Costs: Seven projects to receive $13.6 million.

These awards will provide funding to create tools and develop methods to reduce the cost of non-hardware components for installed solar energy systems. These projects will develop software design tools and databases that can be used by local jurisdictions and installers, and tools to streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar systems.

SunShot Incubator: Four projects to receive $5.8 million.

These projects will fund two different tiers of transformational projects. The first accelerates development of new technologies from concept to commercial viability. The second level of funding supports efforts that shorten the overall timeline from laboratory scale development to pilot line manufacture. The SunShot Incubator Program is an expansion of DOE’s successful PV Technology Incubator Program, launched in 2007, which to date has funded $60 million in projects that have been leveraged into $1.3 billion in private investment

Cal-Bay International, Inc. today announced the company is testing a newly designed multi-tier solar panel system for the production of clean energy.

 

Company President Kevin Denniston commented that traditional Solar Energy panels work very well for the production of energy. The biggest drawback is the amount of physical space required to house the panels, and while many creative locations are being utilized, a multi-tier panel allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate multiple panel layers is a major space-saving and maximum efficiency operation, producing more power in a smaller environment. Cal-Bay is currently testing a prototype system that would possibly maximize the production of Solar Energy per location along with significantly reducing the installation costs based on return on Investment (ROI).

 

There are many Federal and State tax incentives available from the installation and use of Clean Energy Solar Panels for utilization in both Commercial and Residential applications. These incentives can be found at: www.solar-estimate.org

Mr. Denniston further commented that, upon satisfactory completion of testing, the company is anticipating the addition of its first Solar facility alongside the company’s soon-to-be-operational, waste to Clean Energy location in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to the installation of the company’s Solar facility, Cal-Bay plans to market the multi-tier panel system for both commercial and residential applications, by way of Direct Marketing and Distributorship opportunities.

More technical and statistical information will be available on the company’s redesigned website, which is currently under reconstruction and should be launched in the very near future.

source Cal-Bay  (PINKSHEETS: CBYI)

Instead of just using electricity or propane to heat the water, the Hybrid Water Heater uses a heat pump whenever possible. Many models are available, such as the AO Smith Voltex PHPT-80 Hybrid Water Heater, or the RHEEM 50G Heat Pump Water Heater HP50RH are two of many examples.
How it works: The heat pump draws air into it with a fan, which then sucks the warm air around an evaporator, the evaporator heats up and evaporates the liquid refrigerant inside as it draws heat from the air. The heat in the air in your home is literally transferred to the water in the tank!

Most air conditioners take the heat from your home and dump it outside, wasting it. But hybrid water heaters makes use of that extra heat by transferring into your water that you’ll use for washing dishes, doing laundry and taking showers.

via PVTech NREL confirms 41.4%-efficient Solar Junction CPV cell; firm on DOE loan shortlist
Solar Junction has a suite of internal testing tools, such as solar simulator capabilities.The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has confirmed that CPV cell supplier Solar Junction has achieved conversion efficiencies of 41.4% on a multijunction cell sampled from the company’s demonstration production line. The early-stage firm also revealed it is one of a small group of candidates—and the only CPV cell company—that have been chosen for “post-selection due diligence” to receive a DOE loan guarantee, which would help support expansion plans for a 250MW factory at its base of operations in San Jose.

Jeff Allen, director of business development, revealed additional details about the latest announcements from the recently de-stealthed concentrator cell outfit in an email interview with PV-Tech.

He said that “the latest NREL efficiency tests concluded approximately two weeks ago.” The efficiency distribution of each of the cells tested at the lab “exceeded 41% peak efficiency.”

Transphorm Emerges from Stealth to Redefine Energy Efficiency. Company backed by $38 million from leading venture capital firms Kleiner Perkins, Google Ventures, Foundation Capital, and Lux Capital

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.-Transphorm Inc., redefining energy efficiency with the most efficient and compact power conversion technology, emerges from stealth mode today at a private event at Google Ventures.

The company announced it completed a $20 million Series C financing led by Google Ventures, with participation from existing venture investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Foundation Capital and Lux Capital. This brings the total capital raised from all rounds to $38 million.

“We look forward to helping our partners open a new era in ultra-efficient and compact power conversion.”

Inefficient electric power conversion results in hundreds of terawatts of lost energy across the electrical grid, equivalent to 318 coal-fired power plants and costing the U.S. economy $40 billion a year. Leveraging breakthroughs in modern materials and a world-class team, Transphorm’s ultra-efficient and cost-competitive power modules eliminate up to 90 percent of all electric conversion losses. From HVACs to hybrids, from servers to solar panels, Transphorm enables significant energy savings across the grid.

“We founded Transphorm to re-imagine what enhanced efficiency in the generation and use of electrical energy can do for our economy,” said Umesh Mishra, CEO of Transphorm. “Why put up with needless energy waste in every electrical system and device, when we can quickly and cost-effectively design products that are inherently energy efficient? Transphorm’s next-generation power modules cut waste, increase efficiency, reduce system size and simplify overall product design.”

“Since we deliver a complete solution from the original materials through to the final modules, we are in a position to rapidly innovate and deliver product in quick response to demand,” said Primit Parikh, President of Transphorm. “We look forward to helping our partners open a new era in ultra-efficient and compact power conversion.”

Founded by the experienced entrepreneurial team of Umesh Mishra and Primit Parikh, Transphorm boasts world-class engineers as well as top business and manufacturing executives who will guide the commercialization of Transphorm’s technology.

“Solving the enormous problem of power waste will create immediate, long-term shared value for Transphorm’s customers and investors,” said Randy Komisar, partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. “It was imperative for our firm to get behind Transphorm because it is the first company with a viable, commercial-scale solution to energy losses associated with high-voltage power conversion.”

Transphorm delivers custom-designed power modules that are easy to embed in virtually any electrical system, from consumer electronics products, to industrial motor drives, to inverters for solar panels and electric vehicles, and sells these modules to power equipment manufacturers. The company will unveil its first product at the upcoming APEC conference, taking place in Fort Worth, Tex. from Mar. 6 -10, 2011.

“We recognize the need to innovate to uncover new opportunities for optimal energy efficiency,” said Toshihiro Sawa, Managing Director, Technology & Development Division of Yaskawa Electric Corporation. “The time is right to develop power conversion technologies that can cut power waste and reduce excess heat, and Transphorm provides a viable solution today.”

“It is imperative that power conversion efficiency be increased both to cut unnecessary losses and to save energy, but also to reduce waste heat which has negative impact on volume, weight, cost and reliability,” said Dr. Leo Casey, CTO, Satcon Corporation. “The innovations made by Transphorm offer an attractive solution to this problem.”

About Transphorm

Transphorm is redefining electric power conversion, providing cost-competitive and easy-to-embed power conversion modules that reduce costly energy loss by up to 90 percent, and simplify the design and manufacturing of motor drives, power supplies and inverters for solar panels and electric vehicles. From material technology and device fabrication to circuit design and module assembly, Transphorm designs and delivers its power conversion devices and modules to meet the needs of global customers, helping them scale quickly and save money. By creating an ecosystem of electrical systems manufacturers powered by Transphorm, the company accelerates the adoption of application-specific power modules and paves the way for the next generation of electrical systems designed for optimal efficiency. To learn more about Transphorm, please visit www.transphormusa.com.

About Foundation Capital

Founded in 1995, Foundation Capital is a venture capital firm with a single purpose: building great companies. It is this entrepreneurial spirit along with a deep technical expertise that gives the partners the understanding, perspective, and enthusiasm to help promising companies in their formative stages. Foundation Capital targets innovative opportunities in cleantech, consumer Internet and infrastructure; telecommunications and networking; and enterprise software and on-demand services. www.foundationcapital.com

About Google Ventures

Google Ventures seeks to discover and help develop great companies – we believe in the power of entrepreneurs to do amazing things. Our investments range from seed to late stage, across a broad range of industries, including consumer Internet, software, hardware, clean tech, biotechnology and health care. We embrace the challenge of helping young companies grow from the proverbial garage to global relevance. The Google Ventures team includes entrepreneurs, investors and innovators, along with some 24,000+ exceptional Googlers whose breadth of knowledge, experience and creativity constitute perhaps our most valuable resource. For more information, visit www.google.com/ventures.

About Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Since its founding in 1972, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has backed entrepreneurs in over 500 ventures, including AOL, Amazon.com, Citrix, Compaq Computer, Electronic Arts, Genentech, Genomic Health, Google, Intuit, Juniper Networks, Netscape, Lotus, Sun Microsystems, Symantec, Verisign, and Xilinx. KPCB portfolio companies employ more than 250,000 people. More than 150 of the firm’s portfolio companies have gone public. Many other ventures have achieved success through mergers and acquisitions. www.kpcb.com

About Lux Capital

Lux Capital Management is a leading venture firm focused on founding, seed and early stage investments in emerging technologies. Lux takes an active role in helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses in Technology, Energy & Materials, and Life Sciences. The Lux investment team has founded more than 20 companies from scratch, including Caliper, Genocea, Illumina, Kala, Kurion, Lux Research, Nanosys, Neurocrine, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the Lux Capital website at http://www.luxcapital.com.