www.greentechmedia.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700:20::6819:d21e  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

POST /

<form method="post" action="/" class="main-header__search-form search-form">
  <div class="hiddenFields">
    <input type="hidden" name="type" value="articles">
    <input type="hidden" name="ACT" value="229">
  </div>
  <div class="main-header__search-field">
    <input type="text" name="keywords" placeholder="What are you searching for?" class="js-search-input main-header__search-input search-keywords-input" autocomplete="off">
    <button class="main-header__search-button">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="21" height="21" viewBox="0 0 21 21">
        <defs>
          <path id="a" d="M0 0h20.825v20.845H0z"></path>
        </defs>
        <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">
          <mask id="b" fill="#fff">
            <use xlink:href="#a"></use>
          </mask>
          <path fill="#FFF"
            d="M7.8 13.65A5.856 5.856 0 0 1 1.95 7.8 5.856 5.856 0 0 1 7.8 1.95a5.856 5.856 0 0 1 5.85 5.85 5.856 5.856 0 0 1-5.85 5.85zm13.025 5.71l-6.834-6.833A7.746 7.746 0 0 0 15.6 7.8c0-4.3-3.5-7.8-7.8-7.8C3.498 0 0 3.5 0 7.8s3.5 7.8 7.8 7.8a7.75 7.75 0 0 0 4.703-1.592l6.838 6.838 1.484-1.486z"
            mask="url(#b)"></path>
        </g>
      </svg>
      <span>Search</span></button>
  </div>
</form>

POST /

<form method="post" action="/" class="main-header__search-form search-form">
  <div class="hiddenFields">
    <input type="hidden" name="type" value="articles">
    <input type="hidden" name="ACT" value="229">
  </div>
  <div class="main-header__search-field">
    <input type="text" name="keywords" placeholder="What are you searching for?" class="js-search-input main-header__search-input search-keywords-input" autocomplete="off">
    <button class="main-header__search-button">
      <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" width="21" height="21" viewBox="0 0 21 21">
        <defs>
          <path id="a" d="M0 0h20.825v20.845H0z"></path>
        </defs>
        <g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd">
          <mask id="b" fill="#fff">
            <use xlink:href="#a"></use>
          </mask>
          <path fill="#FFF"
            d="M7.8 13.65A5.856 5.856 0 0 1 1.95 7.8 5.856 5.856 0 0 1 7.8 1.95a5.856 5.856 0 0 1 5.85 5.85 5.856 5.856 0 0 1-5.85 5.85zm13.025 5.71l-6.834-6.833A7.746 7.746 0 0 0 15.6 7.8c0-4.3-3.5-7.8-7.8-7.8C3.498 0 0 3.5 0 7.8s3.5 7.8 7.8 7.8a7.75 7.75 0 0 0 4.703-1.592l6.838 6.838 1.484-1.486z"
            mask="url(#b)"></path>
        </g>
      </svg>
      <span>Search</span></button>
  </div>
</form>

Text Content

A Wood Mackenzie Business
 * news
 * Research
 * Squared
 * Events

menu

 
Search
 * Solar
   * All
   * Solar Projects
   * Utility-Scale Solar
   * PV Modules
   * Markets & Policy
   * Solar Finances & VC
   * BOS Inverters
   * Manufacturing
   * Residential Solar
 * Grid Edge
   * All
   * Network Infrastructure
   * Grid Optimization
   * Smart Homes/Buildings
   * Demand Response
   * Software/Analytics
   * Utilities
   * Regulation & Policy
   * Electric Vehicles
   * Microgrids
   * Off Grid/Energy Access
 * Storage
   * Check out all of our energy storage resources
 * Wind
   * All wind resources
   * Energy Storage Everywhere
 * Podcasts
   * The Energy Gang
   * The Interchange
 * White Papers
   * White Papers
 * Webinars
   * Webinars

 * Sign up
 * Log in

GTM MEMBERS BENEFITS:

 * Unlimited access to our free news articles
 * Unlimited access to our free webinars, white papers, and videos
 * Special offers and discounts on Events and Squared
 * Updates on breaking news and current events

 * Profile
 * Squared Membership
 * Newsletter Settings
 * WoodMac Research
 * Log Out



Search
Policy & regulation are aligning with renewables cost declines to make projects
more profitable and portfolios more sustainable.
 * All
 * Solar Projects
 * Utility-Scale Solar
 * PV Modules
 * Markets & Policy
 * Solar Finances & VC
 * BOS Inverters
 * Manufacturing
 * Residential Solar

Trending Solar News
Highlighted Research
View All
 * 
   May 2021
   
   
   HOW CHEAP AND ABUNDANT CAN CLEAN POWER GET?

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   CLIMATE FINTECH STARTUP ATMOS FINANCIAL PUTS SAVINGS TO WORK FOR CLEAN ENERGY

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   COULD CHILE’S AUCTION HELP SAVE CSP FROM OBLIVION?

The Grid Edge comprises technologies, solutions and business models advancing
the transition toward a decentralized, distributed and transactive electric
grid.
 * All
 * Network Infrastructure
 * Grid Optimization
 * Smart Homes/Buildings
 * Demand Response
 * Software/Analytics
 * Utilities
 * Regulation & Policy
 * Electric Vehicles
 * Microgrids
 * Off Grid/Energy Access

Trending Grid Edge News
Highlighted Research
View All
 * 
   Grid Edge June 2020
   
   
   WHAT THE COMING WAVE OF DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES MEANS FOR THE US GRID

 * 
   July 2021
   
   
   EXTREME WEATHER KEEPS MAXING OUT THE GRID

 * 
   May 2021
   
   
   A WARTIME PLAN FOR ELECTRIFYING AMERICA

Batteries are helping to optimize the power grid and opening up new applications
and services for utilities and service providers.
 * Check out all of our energy storage resources

Trending Storage News
Highlighted Research
View All
 * 
   April 2021
   
   
   AN ISLAND’S PATH TO 100% RENEWABLES

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   GREENTECH MEDIA CHRONICLED CLEAN ENERGY BEFORE IT WAS COOL

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   ARE BATTERIES AT A TURNING POINT?

The wind industry is in a period of intensifying competition and shifting demand
that requires a multi-faceted view of the global market.
 * All wind resources
 * Energy Storage Everywhere

Trending Wind News
Highlighted Research
View All
 * 
   February 2021
   
   
   VESTAS VENTURES MAKES FIRST INVESTMENT WITH STAKE IN WOODEN TOWER START-UP

 * 
   February 2021
   
   
   VESTAS LAUNCHES WORLD’S LARGEST TURBINES AS 'BIG 3' COMPETITION RAMPS UP

 * 
   February 2021
   
   
   BP, RWE AND ENBW WIN BIG IN UK OFFSHORE WIND LEASING ROUND

Free intelligence and insights from industry experts and leading companies on
the global energy transformation.
Trending Downloads News
Highlighted Research
View All
 * 
   May 2021
   
   
   HOW CHEAP AND ABUNDANT CAN CLEAN POWER GET?

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   CLIMATE FINTECH STARTUP ATMOS FINANCIAL PUTS SAVINGS TO WORK FOR CLEAN ENERGY

 * 
   March 2021
   
   
   COULD CHILE’S AUCTION HELP SAVE CSP FROM OBLIVION?

The Energy Gang
View All
October 2021 Where Will DOE's Loan Program Make the Next Climate Tech
Investments? Listen
October 2021 With an Energy Crisis Brewing, No Peak in Sight for Emissions
October 2021 Why TransitTech Is So Vital to Struggling Public Transportation
Systems
The Interchange
View All
October 2021 What the Frack Is Happening With Natural Gas Prices? Listen
September 2021 Carbon Recycling: Microbes, Jet Fuel and Leggings
September 2021 Microsoft’s $1B Climate Innovation Fund

Solar


AMONIX BUYS SUNWORKS, GETS NEW CEO

Amonix, a long-time concentrating solar power developer, turns to a former
executive at SunEdison to be its chief executive.

Ucilia Wang December 22, 2009
X
Ucilia Wang







Amonix Buys Sunworks, Gets New CEO

 * 1



Concentrating photovoltaic equipment manufacturer Amonix has bought Sunworks
Solar and appointed one of Sunworks' co-founders as its new CEO.

Brian Robertson became Amonix's chief executive last month, he said Tuesday. The
Seal Beach, Calif.-based Amonix has been around since 1989 and reportedly has
seen its equipment in more concentrating solar power projects than any other
manufactures in the world.  

Amonix also has appointed two other Sunworks' executives to its management
positions. Guy Blanchard, also a Sunworks co-founder, will be vice president of
sales and corporate development. Matthew Meares, who previously worked on sales
and project development at Sunworks, is now director of project finance at
Amonix.

Concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems make use of mirrors and lenses to
concentrate the sunlight onto solar cells to boost the cells' electricity
production. Amonix uses acrylic lenses and mounts it 55-foot long solar panels
on trackers to keep them facing the sun, Robertson said.

Top Articles
 * MOST POPULAR
 * MOST COMMENTS

 * 
   I Fully Converted a Home to Electricity. Here’s How It Worked — and What It
   Cost
 * 
   The 5 Most Promising Long-Duration Storage Technologies Left Standing
 * 
   Congress Passes Spending Bill With Solar, Wind Tax Credit Extensions and
   Energy R&D Package

 * 27
   Where Will DOE’s Loan Program Make the Next Climate Tech Investments?
 * 9
   What the Frack Is Happening With Natural Gas Prices?
 * 4
   With an Energy Crisis Brewing, No Peak in Sight for Emissions

The acquisition reflects Amonix's interest in bringing on managers with lots of
experiences in solar rather than expanding to a new sector in solar. The
companies declined to disclose the purchase price.

Robertson co-founded San Francisco-based Sunworks in 2008 to manufacture
amorphous silicon solar panels. Earlier this year, the company was in talks with
the state of New York about building a 75-megawatt factory there (See Sunworks
Solar Steps Out With Thin-Film Factory Plan).

But stands out on Robertson's resume, however, are his ties to SunEdison. He was
president of SunEdison, one of the largest solar power project developers in the
United States, before starting Sunworks.



SunEdison develops and owns solar energy systems and sells the resulting
electricity under long-term contracts to mostly businesses, utilities and
government agencies. Silicon wafer maker, MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE: WFR)
bought SunEdison for $200 million in cash and stock last month (see MEMC Invests
in Another Installer: Tioga Energy).

Blanchard, on the other hand, was a managing director of Fortress Investment
Group's Drawbridge funds before he co-founded Sunworks. Meares was with
Germany-based HSH Nordbank before Sunworks and worked on loans and equity deals
in the power business at the bank.

Amonix doesn't plan to become an amorphous silicon solar panel maker, Robertson
said. Sunworks never built that factory in New York, he added.

Robertson has replaced Vahan Garboushian, who founded Amonix about 20 years ago.
Garboushian remains the company's chief technology officer and chairman.

The company has been installing projects for 15 years, making it a pioneer in a
solar sector that has seen a series of startups in recent years (see CPV Pt. 1:
Stuck in the Middle).

The company has seen nearly 13 megawatts of equipment being used by developers
worldwide. Most of them are in Spain, including a 7.8-megawatt one in the
Navarra region. Other projects are located in Arizona and Nevada (see map).

Concentrating photovoltaic developers say their technologies could deliver
cheaper solar electricity than power from conventional solar power panels
because they use lenses to concentrate the sunlight to squeeze more power from
solar cells. They typically use more expensive solar cells that can convert
sunlight into electricity at higher rates, but they use only slivers of them to
cut costs.



This type of solar energy systems is suitable for dry, sunny climate like the
American southwest. Robertson said the systems don't require any heavy use of
water, unlike the solar thermal power projects that have been proposed in the
desert.

"We think CPV will end up taking market share from" solar thermal power
developers, Robertson said.

Amonix has a factory that can assemble 30 megawatts of solar panels per year.
Each solar panel is consisted of the acrylic Fresnel lenses and multijunction
solar cells with gallium-arsenide and other semiconductor compounds. The company
main solar cell supplier is Sylmar, Calif.-based SpectroLab.

Amonix designs its own trackers but hire another manufacturer to make them.
Robertson declined to name the contract manufacturer.

Each tracker can hold up seven panels, which collectively have 72 kilowatts of
generation capacity, Robertson said.

"It's bigger than any other tracker in the industry, and the design has been
perfected over 15 years of field deployment," he said. 

Amonix recently raised $40 million, according to its filing with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission last month. The company's website lists
MissionPoint Capital Partners as an investor. 

 

Photo: courtesy of Amonix



 * cpv


10.23.21 Fossil Fuels


WHAT THE FRACK IS HAPPENING WITH NATURAL GAS PRICES?

10.21.21 Finance & VC


WHERE WILL DOE’S LOAN PROGRAM MAKE THE NEXT CLIMATE TECH INVESTMENTS?

10.14.21


WITH AN ENERGY CRISIS BREWING, NO PEAK IN SIGHT FOR EMISSIONS


Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.





WE ALSO POST OUR RESOURCES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow us!

 * 
 * 
 * 

 * News
 * Research
 * Squared
 * Events

 * Podcasts
 * Webinars
 * White Papers
 * Videos

 * Press Release
 * Media Inquiries
 * In The News

 * Our Team
 * Contact

 * About us
 * Advertising
 * Contact

A Wood Mackenzie Business © 2023 Greentech Media or its affiliated companies.
All rights reserved.
 * Sitemap
 * Terms & Conditions
 * Privacy Policy












GREENTECH MEDIA IS NOW WOOD MACKENZIE - ACCESS OUR FREE POWER AND RENEWABLES
INSIGHT AND CONTENT AT WOODMAC.COM



AddThis Sharing
LinkedIn
, Number of shares
Facebook
, Number of shares
Email
, Number of shares
Twitter
, Number of shares
Reddit
, Number of shares
Flipboard
, Number of shares
AddThis Sharing
LinkedInFacebookEmailTwitterRedditFlipboard