FORT WORTH, Texas -- March 13th, 2009 -- Entech Solar (OTC BB: ENSL.OB), a leader in concentrating solar energy systems, announced today that it has entered into a research contract with Fraunhofer USA's Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating high-efficiency back-contact silicon solar cells into Entech's 20x concentrating solar systems.
Fraunhofer CSE will, in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), simulate, design, and test prototype back-contact silicon solar cells with the goal of providing a cell with significantly greater efficiency than those Entech currently uses. Fraunhofer will also make recommendations related to the future mass production of such high-efficiency back-contact cells for use in Entech's products. Fraunhofer CSE will utilize its recently established solar development and test laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in conjunction with Fraunhofer ISE's facility in Freiburg, Germany - Europe's largest solar research facility.
"Our engagement with Fraunhofer demonstrates Entech's commitment to producing the most efficient, highest quality concentrating solar products available," said Frank Smith, CEO of Entech Solar. "This contract supports the Company's strategy of commercializing its existing concentrating solar modules as well as investing in next generation systems. We expect to realize significant performance improvement through this relationship."
About Entech Solar
Entech Solar is a leading provider of concentrating solar energy systems. Entech designs, manufactures and installs systems that provide both electricity and thermal energy for commercial and industrial applications. Entech uses its proprietary concentrating photovoltaic and thermal (CPVT) technology to deliver the ThermaVoltTM system, which produces cost-competitive distributed energy. For more information, please visit www.entechsolar.com.
About the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems
The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is one of Fraunhofer USA's six applied research laboratories. Fraunhofer USA, an American 501(c)3 non-profit research organization, operates labs in sustainable energy, biotechnology, computer security, manufacturing innovation, laser technology, and industrial coatings. The CSE is dedicated to serving the research needs of the sustainable energy industry, helping both established industry players and newcomers alike to move clean energy technologies from the laboratory to the production line. The center, established with grants from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, National Grid and other private donors specializes in solar technologies, building efficiency technologies and systems, and energy device prototyping.