The SunCube: Coming in Spring 2010 from Helios Solar
Americans love the idea of the neatly packaged product, even when it comes to clean power — biofuels, wind and nuclear all come in modular “in-a-box” sizes. In that same vein, Helios Solar, a 2-year-old startup based in Denver, Colorado, has announced that its SunCube is now on-sale, and will be ready for installation in the Spring of 2010.
The SunCube is a concentrating photovoltaic system — which magnifies sunlight and directs it onto solar cells — and is set up as a 300-watt module, with 30+ percent efficiency, which is almost double the efficiency of standard PV. The Cube also uses a dual-axis tracking system to maximize the power output.
The SunCube is one of a growing number of CPV systems that have emerged on the market recently, including Solarmation, which is looking to make CPV more modular, Soliant Energy, SolFocus, and these 13 CPV players. Some CPV systems can be more expensive on the initial investment than traditional solar panels, and also have moving parts, which means they can be less reliable. But CPV systems can have a higher efficiency and higher output (which means they can be less expensive because you need less equipment), and can be fit into smaller spaces, which is a benefit for certain types of installations.
Helios Solar was set up in 2008 to sell the SunCube to the southwestern region of the U.S. including Hawaii, using technology from Australia’s Green and Gold Energy (GGE). New Mexico-based company Emcore makes the triple junction gallium arsenide chips that are responsible for the highly efficient solar cell used in the SunCube. Helios is backed by 10 local Denver investors.
Helios plans to build one or more factories in Colorado and across the southwest, but is currently building its SunCubes in a plant in India and is looking for state funding The company says that each line at its Colorado factory will directly employ 180 staff and over a thousand indirectly. Vibrant Solar, also based in Denver in the same office space, will install the SunCubes in the southwest.
This is the latest chapter in the SUNCUBE SAGA. No…the Suncubes are NOT on sale yet. They do not have UL and IEC certification and there is no independent proof that they can meet their highly optimistic performance claims. The standards required to meet IEC62108 are very demanding. The CEO of Green and Gold Energy has a track record of pseudo scientific quackery….perpetual motion machines (Watson admits to mail fraud by non delivery), run your car on water tosh, and life extension mumbo jumbo.
The SunCube (or SunPube) has been promised any day now for at least 5 years. Not one single solitary SunCube has been sold ANYWHERE in the world. It is simply a gigantic SOLAR PONZI scheme.
Like all PONZI/PYRAMID scheme….it will eventually come crashing down and it is the innocent small investors who will be the biggest losers.
Please do your own research. Google suncube + scam to find the awful truth!!
Mr. Keef – I understand your concerns and have seen your postings bashing the SunCube and Mr. Greg Watson over the years. I would like to copy a few notes from Mark Simmons, VP Marketing & Sales for Vibrant Solar, Inc. and one of the founders of Helios Solar LLC.
There are ten owners of Helios Solar LLC. Three are financial analysts, one is sales and marketing, six are technical, engineering types. We have approached this product with skepticism, as anyone should approach new technology. Remember that Edison defamed Tesla, even killing a dog in an electric chair to show that Alternating Current was too dangerous. I am not interested in your history with Greg Watson or the SunCube. I am interested in solving the global warming crisis. We understand your concerns- UL listing, etc. We know what it takes to interconnect to the electricity grid. We also know the necessity of solar to move toward cost parity. CPV is necessary. Nothing in the SunCube is new technology, but, rather a specialized configuration of proven technology. Vibrant Solar, which is doing installation, has sold 2.5 MW of flat panels over the past nearly four years. We know what we are about. We are planning for SunCube ground mounts only until further engineering work is done at our facility. In particular the wind loads along the Front Range of the Rockies have tremendous wind speeds, but also the point to point load is significant. So much more engineering will be done prior to offering roof mounts. We are interested in developing and installing solar technology that works. SunCube has already been sold and installed elsewhere in the world. Vibrant Solar currently has the first five SunCubes in the US up and running daily at our office in Denver, CO. We kindly invite you and anyone else to come see for yourself.
A couple notes: 1. We have tracked the development of the SunCube for four years and know it works. We are planing to build an assembly plant in Colorado to locally source all components, under our license with Green and Gold Pty. 2. We have a Suncube in the USA, four more on the way for a demonstration array and are pending delivering one to NREL for short term testing.(As of Dec ’09 we have 5 installed on Vibrant Solar’s roof) Our internal testing showed exactly what we expected and so we are beginning sales. Those who deride this product are simply wrong. The technology has been in service for over a decade. In fact the gallium arsenide chip is made by Emcore in Albuquerque, who has given a letter of recommendation on the SunCube. Emcore’s chip is 39% efficient. The housing, tracking firmware and housing all contribute to accurate facing. Regards, Mark Simmons VP Marketing & Sales Vibrant Solar, Inc.
Happy New Year!
Well he would say that wouldnt he? LOL
Indivually , i feel looking at the product and its output.. its gonna go very far.today the world is thirsty , it needs energy !! some fail and some win.. again it is upto us whether to save world or not. If some one is taking steps to save it then i think we should support.well not all the products manufactured rule the market. people after selling any type of product fool others but over here scene is different.i9 wish good luck for those who are into saving this gods gift. waiting for the product to come!!
Mark Simmons Posted Today @ 9:16 AM Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 9:11 AM Posts: 10, Visits: 15 February 10, 2010 SunCube™ Receives Eurocert IEC62108 certification.
Now that the rigorous testing is done and the SunCube passed all tests, Helios Solar LLC is moving to secure USA IEC62108 and UL listing.
Meanwhile, we issued an RFP through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, to economic development corporations and municipal bodies along Colorado’s Front Range. The EDCs will deliver their incentives proposals by March 8. The winning proposal for the SunCube factory will be determined late March.
Let the Bashing Begin! But note that I am now so busy that I will not be on often to check out this thread. If you want me to reply be sure to email me.
Mark Simmons Vice President, Marketing & Sales Vibrant Solar, Inc. 4321 Broadway Ste 3 Denver CO 80216-3500 Office 303-604-6696 Cell 720-985-8522 Fax 303-835-4165 mark.simmons@vibrantsolar.com http://www.vibrantsolar.com
There is nothing more difficult to plan, no more dangerous to manage, than the creation of a new system. For the creator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old system and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new one. — Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince Post #4317539
Interesting comparison of the IEC certifications obtained by three different CPV systems (Solfocus, Concentrix and Suncube) here: http://connect.sierraclub.org/forums/FindPost4325965.aspx
From my calculation, I can see SunCube should have 4% more efficiency than SolFocus, and it seems to me SunCube is cheaper. However, hold on for a moment to see mine will be even better!
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