A solar start up swops California for sunny Wales

[Kay]

Yes, the "sunny" part was a joke but the rest is true! It's interesting to see this move to Wales.


...he [Hertzberg]founded a solar-power company, G24i, and quickly became the most contrarian guy in the renewable energy business. Most of his rivals produce silicon solar panels for the first world. Hertzberg is building silicon-free solar strips, and says his earliest customers are in the developing world, especially Africa and India. Most solar companies seek government handouts; Hertzberg avoids them like the plague. And while few solar firms would think of bringing their product to a cloudy climate, Hertzberg set up his headquarters in Wales - in part to prove that G24i's technology can work anywhere.

Full story. (http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/16/smallbusiness/wales_solar_power.fsb/index.htm)

[Fergal]

It's always good to see companies setting up business and creating jobs in areas that would not normally attract this type of investment. G24i has 66 employees and $100 Million in investment funding, an investment of that size in such a new and innovative industry is a great coup for Wales.

[Kay]

It is, isn't it! He sounds like a great guy too, full of enthusiasm. Maybe you should invite him along here Fergal! Wales and Ireland are practically neighbours, only a hop, skip and a jump away. :D

[Fergal]

...Maybe you should invite him along here...

Good idea Kay, I've contacted the company with a link back to this thread.

[Kay]

Lovely! I hope we get to meet Mr Hertzberg online and he shares the journey of it all with us. I'd love to follow the development of a new start-up from the beginning and see where it goes. :)

[nbshopper]

Lol that's brilliant! It's true if it can work in Wales, then it's truly a brilliant system! :) Cheaper labor too I'd expect... Clever move potentially if it does work!

[Nazreen]

I wish Mr Hertzberg all the luck in this endeavor. Hope that he'll be successful so that in the not so distant future, solar energy will be available to all and don't need to rely on energy derived from oil or fuel anymore. Cant also wait for solar chargers for cellphones and laptops to be available on the market.

[Fergal]

We have solar powered calculators and watches, so why not mobile phones? It would also help reduce the fire hazard caused by mobile phone chargers. I'd imagine and hope that the mobile phone companies are exploring this technology.

[nbshopper]

Good idea... I'm surprised, as you say, that they haven't thought of this yet... I guess there's probably a good reason for it... Maybe they just can't get the battery life out of it in a practical size just yet. Phone batteries are a little more powerful than calculators or watches after all and they need to work when it's dark! Kinetic phones would be an idea too.

[scifi]

Batteries which can retain solar energy so that the same can be used later when need arises will be more useful..as the batteries totally dependent on solar energy can not score on scale of reliability..!!!!

[Fergal]

...Cant also wait for solar chargers for cellphones and laptops to be available on the market.

Looks like you won't have to wait much longer - Samsungs Solar Powered mobile (http://realitybites.in/samsungs-new-solar-mobile/) - on realitybites.in's blog.

[neo666]

selling solar panels in a cloudy climate would take some innovative marketing! But even in wales if the company can do well , then it would be a great advertisement of the persons skills.

[Fergal]

Many homes heat their water through the central heating system. As the central heating is normally off during the Summer months, it would be convenient and environmentally friendly to heat water with solar power during this time.

[monijam]

I guess they can have their headquarter anywhere ,as long as they market it gobally.