Energy Conversion Devices Message Board

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Energy Conversion Devices

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next

To: Tom Hoff who wrote (7587)	3/16/2004 10:58:08 PM
From: alfranco	Read Replies (1) of 8393

Tom, I did revisit the Thailand PV situation after your earlier post and had long been following Thai PV since from their launch they were going to begin by fabbing amorphous Si and had high profile Thai connections plus Charley Gay and Maycock (interestingly they have managed to indirectly via resellers/partnerships pick up the BP thin film manuf equipment from Fairfield CA and Toano VA... or so they say as of 12/03) Also, MVS installed a amorphous Si prototype production line back in 2001 for Bangkok Solar. This is all circling around ECD's product line IMO. I'm mulling over Jan-Feb 2004 Bangkok PV conference (Unisolar not present AFAIK) where the TH Minister of Energy argues for PV but if I catch him correctly... internally produced is his aim. TPV was positioning for this (some question in my mind as they are delayed in their timeline and more recently mentioned Sri Lanka as an alternate fab site) with promises of 5% of productivity going to NGOs within Thailand (hmmm). On the rural electrification initiative, I can't link to their TH NEDO/NEPO website (strangely inoperative for me lately) but I did see a picture of Greenpeace-purchased PV panels for a village in the RES zone and they did look like US-64s but I think this was back in 2002. Also, there is the issue of TH import duties on foreign-manuf PVs (cited by one TH architect as a heavy duty for his own home in Bangkok) which I suppose can always be changed when a govt. agency (EGAT) is the purchaser rather than a mere citizen. Hopefully you really know something I don't but I see bribery, nationalism, greed, false promises shadowing so much of what I read not just in Bangkok (or DC) but everywhere so that I keep the salt at ready. Still, in the spirit of "fools rush in where angels fear to tread" I will admit my current belief: the tipping point towards ECD's profitability for PV is coming this year and my top bet is that SIT will do it. If Thailand weighs in as well, all the better. Good to see you back and regards, Al

Report TOU Violation

Share This Post

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next