Skyline Solar Uses Idle Auto Manufacturing Capacity for Arrays
Skyline Solar announced today it has started production of its High Gain Solar components with the Troy, Michigan-based Cosma International, a unit of the auto-parts giant Magna International.
The move is the Mountain View, Calif. company’s first commercial manufacturing agreement and an attempt to pick up unused manufacturing capacity that had been used by the auto industry, Skyline CEO and co-founder Bob McDonald said.
Skyline’s High Gain Solar Arrays consist of a Reflective Rack that concentrates sunlight into four rows of High Gain Solar Panels. The prefabricated struts and ribs that frame the arrays are similar to designs in the automotive industry, according to Skyline’s Web site.
Cleantech Group reports that the first components were developed last week in a Troy, Mich., factory but the process wil move to a larger a facility in 2010.
Skyline’s business model seeks to reduce costs by minimizing the use of high-end materials, using a pre-engineered design and using existing manufacturing capacity.
The company is funded by NEA, other VCs and a Department of Energy Grant, according to the Web site.
