Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

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 -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Allen Bucholski who wrote (4100)	10/9/1999 10:47:00 AM
From: Michael Latas	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 8393

You will see a number of different statements made regarding efficiency achieved by the various mfg'rs. Each will put their best numbers forward to the press. The water gets very muddy in that when they attempt to compare apples to apples you have to realize that there are a considerable number of different apples out there. Then there are different grades and qualities of the same type apples. They are not all the same. First, there are different stages in the development of any new technology. There are results that can be achieved in the laboratory. Some never make it out of the laboratory stage for various and sundry reasons. Next comes the prototype stage. Then comes the engineering stage. Following that is the pilot plant stage. Then comes the mfg'g stage. Then there are different size mfg'g operations. Then you have to look at what it cost to produce the different technologies. What about durability? Weight? All other? So, as you can see efficiency is only one factor in the equation. At this stage of our development our technology is cost competitive with conventional power at the 100 MW plant size. Our 5MW plan is really nothing more than a pilot plant. Our production is up 40% over last year. We may be making a little money. But, it can't be much. We are still working on a federal grant to improve manufacturing performance. I can't imagine ECD moving forward to build a 25MW plant until this project is completed. Allen, you are the guy that normally keeps track of our various gov't contracts with dates. When will our solar mfg'g improvement contract end? Nancy Bacon stated in the last conference call that we would make money with a 25MW plant even without satellite business. However, satellite business would be highly profitable. So, we will make some money once we get our new plant up and running, with more to come. Regards.