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Nick Morgan
Finances● 2014 Revenue: $3,027,260,000
Total Costs: $2,776,030,000● 21.07% sales growth in 2014● 66% owned by Total, third
largest oil company in Europe
History● Founded in 1985 by Dr. Richard
Swanson using technology invented at Stanford
● Acquired PowerLight Corporation for $332 million in 2007, SunRay Renewable Energy for $277 million in 2010
● In 2014, described as Silicon Valley’s leading solar panel manufacturer
Standard Solar Tech● Standard solar cells made of chemically treated silicon which generates
electricity when hit by the sun● Paradox in wiring design: larger wires lower electrical resistance and increase
efficiency but reflect light● Wires are also susceptible to corrosion!
Maxeon Solar Cell● Proprietary technology invented at
Stanford before the company was founded
● Same silicon sheet, but entire face covered by transparent electrode material
● More expensive, but more efficient and robust
Efficiency, and What That Means● World record holding sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency of 24.2
percent● Power generation is measured in Watts per square yard of panel, most solar
technology hovers at around 200 Watts● Light bulbs use 60 Watts!
Competition
They Will Probably Be Fine● Too many idiosyncrasies in each installation for a market leader to emerge
due to product alone● Industry is effectively propped up by government subsidies and large scale
contracts
Questions?