Our Technology

Zeba Solar will rely primarily on thin film photovoltaics to construct its alternative energy power projects, given their attractive cost structure and the likelihood that costs will continue to decline over the next three to five years. In addition Zeba Solar will utilize internal production - building and operating its own thin film manufacturing facilities in low-cost locations including India - for a substantial portion of its total procurement.

 

Thin Film Advantages:

The primary advantage of thin film is cost per Watt of manufacturing, which leads to lower cost per Watt installed and lower cost per kWh of electricity generation (the most important measure of cost and the determining factor in project profitability). Cost per Watt is ultimately a combination of cost per unit area and module efficiency. Conventional cells are constructed in ways that are material intensive, energy
intensive and capital intensive. Thin film modules are constructed in ways that minimize the use of material and energy, and at substantially lower capital costs. By way of comparison a conventional cell may be 250 to 400 microns thick and a thin film module 2 microns thick.
Historically conventional modules designed for power plants have been twice as efficient (13% to 14%) as thin film modules (6% to 7%). However the cost per unit area for thin film has been much less than 50% of the cost of conventional cells and so cost per Watt has been significantly lower. Increasingly it is becoming clear that thin film technologies are capable of producing modules with efficiencies near those of conventional modules while retaining their current cost structure. This will further drive down costs of thin film - currently as much as 50% less than conventional modules - by as much as another 50%.

Step One:
Initially Zeba will focus its effort on amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film modules given their long history, reliability and attractive cost structure (under $1.25 per Watt). Specifically management has identified a batch process - with a long track record of success - capable of sustaining manufacturing costs less than $1.00 per Watt in low labor environments like India. The Company plans to install a 36MW facility
utilizing this technology in two phases, with planned completion of Phase 1 within twelve months of funding. For a more detailed technical description of a-Si technology and equipment see the attached a-Si overview.

Step Two:
At the same time Zeba is constructing its a-Si manufacturing capacity the Company is sourcing the technology necessary to allow the company to integrate more advanced thin film technology - specifically CIGS (Copper-Indium-Gallium-Selenide) - into its manufacturing operation. Specifically, management has identified an in-line process capable of producing both CIGS and tandem a-Si/CIGS modules at costs under $ .75 per Watt. In addition the technology yields a higher efficiency module that further reduces installed cost per Watt and therefor cost per kWh of electricity generation. For a more detailed technical description of CIGS technology and equipment see the attached CIGS and Duo overview.

Securing IP:
In order to further secure its access to technology and to maintain a competitive advantage Zeba will enter into strategic alliances with one or more suppliers of a-Si and CIGS technology and equipment. The alliances will generally be structured to create the opportunity for Zeba to purchase capital equipment on a cost plus basis from its partners in return for providing its partners a carried interest in Zeba module
manufacturing and power projects.