Government officials in Brazil have invited PacWest Equities Inc of Sacramento, CA, USA to bring its CIGS line of solar manufacturing equipment, acquired in a deal some analysts valued in excess of $55m, to Brazil to open a multi-product suite of solar products for production and distribution in Brazil and other South American countries.
Based upon the firm's technology and the acquisition of DayStar Technologies Inc's 51 patents, patents pending, international patents, and intellectual property, Brazilian officials feel that PacWest Equities is uniquely positioned to help propel the country forward in terms of solar photovoltaic product production.
The technology, which cost over $100m to develop (with $67m going to R&D, $12m to build the prototype line, and $27m going to the actual production line now in physical possession of PacWest Equities) addresses the construction market's need to replace typical tinted window panes in high-rise buildings with solar glass panels that generate electricity at the same time as functioning as a window, a skylight, or any other type of building cover. With the amount of solar potential in Brazil, combined with their high electricity rates and desire to preserve the environment, Brazil is uniquely positioned for rapid growth in this sector.
