I have a feature today in the Toronto Star about local solar power innovator Morgan Solar, which has developed an approach to concentrating photovoltaics that keeps manufacturing costs low and efficiency high. The design, based on a proprietary optic developed by company founder Jean Paul Morgan, could prove to be a big breakthrough in the search for low cost, high-efficiency solar power.

You can read the article for a detailed explanation of how the optic works, or click on this link for a diagram. The bottom line is that Morgan Solar has developed a concentrating PV system that is lighter, more durable, lower-profile, and less expensive than competing options on the market.

I should add one thing, however, which was cut from the story because of space limitations. It has to do with how Morgan Solar moves forward from here, and how it will raise funds so it can commercialize its product. Nicolas Morgan, older brother of Jean Paul, told me during a visit to their offices that many venture capital firms have approached Morgan Solar, but none have been Canadian. “The attitude in Canada is that you must succeed first and then we’ll give you money,” he says. “But once we succeed, we won’t need their money.” The brothers are committed to staying in southern Ontario, perhaps establishing manufacturing operations at one of several unused tool and die facilities that are within an hour’s drive of Toronto and which have been casualties of the auto sector’s decline.

But staying, Nicolas said, will become more difficult if the company is forced to rely too much on foreign capital. Already, business development agencies from New York State have come knocking hoping to lure Morgan Solar to their jurisdictions. “These guys work so hard to make you feel wanted,” says Nicolas. “They come to Toronto. They roll out the red carpet. They really want us to move across the border.”

It boggles the mind that there is so little in place in Ontario to keep companies like Morgan Solar from leaving. The cleantech companies I’ve spoken with who decide to stay are doing so out of love and loyalty to their home, but as Nicolas says, that decision can only stick so long as investors aren’t in a position to overrule. I wonder how many business development folks from Ontario, or Toronto, make road trips across the border to lure companies here. I’m guessing the answer is zero — I welcome anyone to prove me wrong.

Tags: Jean Paul Morgan, Morgan Solar; concentrating PV

This entry was posted on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm and is filed under solar, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.