New Energy Solar Limited provides general information. The information is not customized for each investor and is not intended as financial advice. Investors should carefully consider the information and seek professional advice before making a decision. The information is subject to change without notice and New Energy Solar Limited does not guarantee its accuracy, timeliness, reliability, or completeness.

SunPower Oasis(r) Power Plant technology

The SunPower Oasis Power Plant is an all-in-one, fully integrated solution for new energy solar plants. Its design streamlines construction and operations, while maximizing value for the customer. It utilizes high-efficiency SunPower(r) E-Series solar panels, which produce 30% more energy than conventional solar panels in their first year of operation. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2018.

The Oasis Power Plant's single-axis trackers allow the high-efficiency SunPower solar panels to track the sun and maximize energy capture. Compared to conventional solar panels, Oasis panels are sealed against moisture intrusion and benefit from a proprietary interconnection technology that eliminates the most common cause of solar panel failure. Toyota, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers, has chosen SunPower to provide the rooftop solar system for its US headquarters in Plano, Texas.

The Oasis power plant tracks the sun's movement across the sky and is capable of producing more energy than competing trackers. The tracker's increased range of motion makes it possible to plant in sites with a range of slopes. Unlike competitors, Oasis trackers can be installed on sites with a steep slope of as much as six degrees. A single plant with Oasis trackers can produce up to 81 megawatts of energy.

Caelux research and development of perovskitebased solar technology

Caelux is a spinoff of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The company is engaged in the development of solar energy technologies that can improve the performance of traditional solar cells by 30%. The Caelux technology utilizes special nanomaterials called perovskites. Perovskites were first discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1839 by mineralogist Gustavus Rose. The substance was named after Russian chemist Lev Perovski.

The partnership between Reliance and the California-based company will enable Reliance to manufacture solar modules with high efficiency. The company expects the high-efficiency solar modules to produce 20 percent more energy over the life of a solar project, while at the same time costing less to install. The acquisition is part of the Mukesh Ambani-led conglomerate's plan to produce 100 gigawatts of solar energy by 2030.

Perovskite-based solar cells have the potential to outperform thin-film solar cells in power conversion efficiency. This technology has made significant strides in the last five years, but the devices have not yet been able to reach the scale of large solar modules. However, continued improvements in the technology's efficiency could make it valuable in mobile, operational energy and disaster-response markets.

Rebates

Rebates for new energy solar installations vary from state to state and from utility company to utility company. Some states have statewide rebate programs for residential solar power systems and some offer federal solar tax credits. Some companies like Sunrun manage these programs and pass rebates on to their customers. This allows them to offer lower upfront costs to customers. However, rebate levels are changing frequently and are reducing in many states.

Some utilities even offer rebates on solar energy storage systems and energy efficiency upgrades. For example, PG&E in California offers a 15 to 20% rebate on solar batteries, and in areas where power outages occur, the rebate is even higher. This program can save a homeowner thousands of dollars.

Other states have additional incentives for solar, including a second tax credit. This tax credit is similar to the federal ITC, and covers a certain percentage of the net cost of a solar energy system. The ITC can be applied to both federal and state tax credits. Some states offer rebates upfront for solar power systems, but these are often limited to a short time period. In addition to federal tax credits, state government incentives can reduce the cost of a solar power system by 10 to 20%.