Magnolia Solar Corporation (Magnolia Solar), a developer of low-cost, thin-film photovoltaic modules used in defense and commercial applications, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary has recently received a $1 million award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). This award is to develop advanced thin-film solar cells in partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (“CNSE”) of the University at Albany.

Magnolia Solar has the technology to capture a broader spectrum of the sun’s energy and to reduce energy losses due to reflection. This technology uses non-toxic materials on low-cost substrates to produce high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells. Magnolia Solar will work in close collaboration with faculty and scientists from CNSE’s Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center (“E2TAC”) at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex to demonstrate its technologies in nanostructure-based thin film solar cells. The program, which is designed to improve energy efficiency while reducing production costs, is also being supported by Professor Fred Schubert at RPI. Magnolia Solar has received a NYSERDA order for the first phase of this three-phase development program.

Dr. Ashok K. Sood, President and CEO of Magnolia Solar Corporation, commented, "We are delighted to receive this critical funding from NYSERDA, and to have the opportunity to play a role in providing future energy solutions for New York State. We are committed to growing in the Albany region, supported by the world-class intellectual and technological infrastructure at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex.” Dr. Sood continued, “Magnolia Solar’s mission is to provide environmentally responsible and low-cost solutions for the solar power industry, and to be an integral part of New York’s green energy future."

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, CNSE Professor and Head of NanoEngineering and Executive Director of E2TAC, commented, “We look forward to working closely with Magnolia Solar on this innovative clean energy research, which enhances New York’s push to accelerate the development of renewable and environmentally friendly energy technologies. This partnership further demonstrates CNSE’s growing portfolio in supporting both innovative technologies and companies in the critical alternative energy sector.”

Francis J. Murray, Jr., NYSERDA President and CEO, stated, “NYSERDA is pleased to help Magnolia expand their work in New York State. NYSERDA’s early-stage investments in innovative, environmentally-friendly technologies offer the promise of new jobs and industries for New York in the future. The new products that result from these investments will help us realize Governor David Paterson’s vision for a clean energy economy that uses new and emerging technologies to save energy, create jobs, and improve our environment.”

For more information, please visit www.MagnoliaSolar.com.

Last update: 04 March 2010 at 11:17

Keywords : Magnolia Solar Corporation, NYSERDA Program Award, Low cost Nanostructure-based Thin Film solar cells.

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