Comments on: Clean Energy Startup Infinia Raises $50 Million To Crank up Manufacturing http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/ Startup and Tech News Fri, 16 May 2008 12:16:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Kevin Kris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-2003585 Kevin Kris Sat, 23 Feb 2008 22:37:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-2003585 What the heck, they updated the price from 10,000$ to 20,000$ ! huh.. what Micheal? giving us wrong data? come on.. What the heck, they updated the price from 10,000$ to 20,000$ !
huh..

what Micheal? giving us wrong data? come on..

]]> By: Anthony Kuhn http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1988988 Anthony Kuhn Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:47:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1988988 Everything old is new again. Stirling engines are a great idea with the next thing needed to make this technology viable is a way to store up energy on sunny days for those when Sol stays hidden behind the clouds, or switch to a wavelength that isn't affected so much by gray days. Thanks for your coverage of this exciting development in solar energy generation! Everything old is new again. Stirling engines are a great idea with the next thing needed to make this technology viable is a way to store up energy on sunny days for those when Sol stays hidden behind the clouds, or switch to a wavelength that isn’t affected so much by gray days. Thanks for your coverage of this exciting development in solar energy generation!

]]> By: uploadchoice http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1986195 uploadchoice Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:37:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1986195 I hope the company will make renewable energy inexpensive. I hope the company will make renewable energy inexpensive.

]]> By: moorthy.me http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985340 moorthy.me Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:15:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985340 i could not belive this cost. i hope this will be effective to developed countires and not in developing countires like india. i could not belive this cost. i hope this will be effective to developed countires and not in developing countires like india.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985228 Kevin Tue, 12 Feb 2008 02:32:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985228 I'm not sure that this will be the one, but hopefully someone solves the energy crisis soon... I’m not sure that this will be the one, but hopefully someone solves the energy crisis soon…

]]> By: Kevin Kris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985172 Kevin Kris Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:10:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985172 Ryan, The initial investment for 1.2 MW wind turbine is very high to the tune of 1.5 million $ and needs maintenance. Of course it's more economical in large scale. You are right, striling sytems are not intended to put in peoples lawn but sure it will make a small scale power plant with zero maintenance. Ryan, The initial investment for 1.2 MW wind turbine is very high to the tune of 1.5 million $ and needs maintenance.
Of course it’s more economical in large scale.

You are right, striling sytems are not intended to put in peoples lawn but sure it will make a small scale power plant with zero maintenance.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985117 Ryan Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:01:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985117 Kevin, unless people are willing to stick these on their lawns, its not going make any real impact. These just don't produce enough power for it to make sense to build a centralized "power plant" out of them. And if you do, why not build a wind farm instead? More power (~1.2 MW per turbine v. 3.5kW), and they typically have higher efficiency than 24% Kevin, unless people are willing to stick these on their lawns, its not going make any real impact. These just don’t produce enough power for it to make sense to build a centralized “power plant” out of them.

And if you do, why not build a wind farm instead? More power (~1.2 MW per turbine v. 3.5kW), and they typically have higher efficiency than 24%

]]> By: Kevin Kris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985104 Kevin Kris Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:48:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985104 Is it really 20,000$ a piece installed? I don't believe the price.. Too cheap.. Is it really 20,000$ a piece installed? I don’t believe the price.. Too cheap..

]]> By: Kevin Kris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985098 Kevin Kris Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:44:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985098 Ryan, you are right as per installed cost, but what about maintenance for a solar thermal plant. Here for stirling engine there are no moving parts, no maintenance for 20 years. For thermal plant, you need people, turbines, maintenance, water blah blah. Solar PV has 10 to 12% efficiency. Stirling has 24%. Go Solar! Peace! Kris Ryan, you are right as per installed cost, but what about maintenance for a solar thermal plant. Here for stirling engine there are no moving parts, no maintenance for 20 years.

For thermal plant, you need people, turbines, maintenance, water blah blah.
Solar PV has 10 to 12% efficiency. Stirling has 24%.

Go Solar!
Peace!

Kris

]]> By: Adam http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985076 Adam Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:25:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985076 So I assume that the stirling engine technology is already in use in things like geothermal energy plants, or reusing waste heat from industrial processes? Is there anything particularly new about the companies products, apart from economies of scale perhaps? So I assume that the stirling engine technology is already in use in things like geothermal energy plants, or reusing waste heat from industrial processes?

Is there anything particularly new about the companies products, apart from economies of scale perhaps?

]]> By: Ryan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985075 Ryan Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:24:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985075 At $20,000 a pop for 3.5 measly kilowatts, your looking at a higher installed cost ($5,714/kW) than either current PV or Thermal Solar Power. The installed cost of PV Solar is $4,751/kW. Thermal Solar is $3,149/kW. Also, solar will only have a real impact with distributed generation, where solar panels on roofs make the most sense. At $20,000 a pop for 3.5 measly kilowatts, your looking at a higher installed cost ($5,714/kW) than either current PV or Thermal Solar Power. The installed cost of PV Solar is $4,751/kW. Thermal Solar is $3,149/kW. Also, solar will only have a real impact with distributed generation, where solar panels on roofs make the most sense.

]]> By: Scott http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985073 Scott Mon, 11 Feb 2008 23:20:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985073 I know someone who put solar panels on his roof and tied it into California's power grid. When the panels produced a surplus, the power meter would spin backwards. As a result, his net power bill was negative. This was part of state's plan (http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/3588) to move towards renewable energy sources. I wonder if there's market in selling a smaller version of these units to the home market. Would it be more efficient than solar panels? Are they noisy? I know someone who put solar panels on his roof and tied it into California’s power grid. When the panels produced a surplus, the power meter would spin backwards. As a result, his net power bill was negative. This was part of state’s plan (http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/3588) to move towards renewable energy sources.

I wonder if there’s market in selling a smaller version of these units to the home market. Would it be more efficient than solar panels? Are they noisy?

]]> By: CanCar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985032 CanCar Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:34:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985032 By the way, clean energy includes energy efficiency and clean energy supply options like highly efficient combined heat and power as well as renewable energy sources. By the way, clean energy includes energy efficiency and clean energy supply options like highly efficient combined heat and power as well as renewable energy sources.

]]> By: Greg http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985026 Greg Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:25:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985026 @3: Couldn't agree more. It's not specific to TechCrunch - I've seen it on Gizmodo in the last week or two - but they seriously need a proof-reader. @9: Batteries! @3: Couldn’t agree more. It’s not specific to TechCrunch - I’ve seen it on Gizmodo in the last week or two - but they seriously need a proof-reader.

@9: Batteries!

]]> By: gilltots http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985020 gilltots Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:17:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985020 what happens at night? what happens at night?

]]> By: Kevin Kris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985010 Kevin Kris Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:10:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985010 Simply Great! SES Systems is not for small players, atleast Infinia can provide this technology at affordable price to small power plant investors. What i can think is, instead of going for solar PV 5 or 10 home owners can unite and create a small infinia based stirling engine power plant which way economical. And utility companies should consider the power generated by this power plant as the home owners generated and should give credits virtually. Great news.. Simply Great! SES Systems is not for small players, atleast Infinia can provide this technology at affordable price to small power plant investors. What i can think is, instead of going for solar PV 5 or 10 home owners can unite and create a small infinia based stirling engine power plant which way economical. And utility companies should consider the power generated by this power plant as the home owners generated and should give credits virtually.

Great news..

]]> By: Andy Gongea http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985006 Andy Gongea Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:02:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985006 Good news. Alternative energy is a hot sector and while we will buy more electric accessories - they will raise more money and develop new ways to make energy. It's awesome these days to be in the energy business. Good news.

Alternative energy is a hot sector and while we will buy more electric accessories - they will raise more money and develop new ways to make energy.

It’s awesome these days to be in the energy business.

]]> By: Joell http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985003 Joell Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:59:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1985003 Solar and wind energy have proven not to be a good solution for green energy. Fusion energy seems to be real in several years. The first fusion reactor will be ready in the next century, if everything goes by schedule. See it here: http://www.duckway.com/spice/iter Solar and wind energy have proven not to be a good solution for green energy. Fusion energy seems to be real in several years. The first fusion reactor will be ready in the next century, if everything goes by schedule. See it here:
http://www.duckway.com/spice/iter

]]> By: Lance Weatherby http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984997 Lance Weatherby Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:52:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984997 Suniva is another solar company that last week raised $50 million. The space is indeed hot. Suniva is another solar company that last week raised $50 million. The space is indeed hot.

]]> By: Bill Hartzer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984986 Bill Hartzer Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:40:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984986 Any business model that has a track record of being profitable--especially if it has the word "environmental friendly" associated anywhere with it will be hot right now. I also suspect it to only get hotter, even a few years from now. Any business model that has a track record of being profitable–especially if it has the word “environmental friendly” associated anywhere with it will be hot right now. I also suspect it to only get hotter, even a few years from now.

]]> By: Mahoney http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984968 Mahoney Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:32:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984968 Good article, interesting content, but I think TC could use investment in editing: "putting in $9.5million just June"...last June? "and has been around fro more than two decades"...yeah, fros were popular about then "Now, it is focussed exclusively"...does that mean they were doubly focused? Good article, interesting content, but I think TC could use investment in editing:

“putting in $9.5million just June”…last June?

“and has been around fro more than two decades”…yeah, fros were popular about then

“Now, it is focussed exclusively”…does that mean they were doubly focused?

]]> By: MikeT http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984964 MikeT Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:27:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984964 Time to get rid of the extremely expensive solar panels. Thank you, oil prices, for your contribution to technology progress... Time to get rid of the extremely expensive solar panels.

Thank you, oil prices, for your contribution to technology progress…

]]> By: Brian http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984943 Brian Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:09:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/clean-energy-startup-infinia-raises-50-million-to-crank-up-manufacturing/#comment-1984943 <a href="http://www.tagsum.com/news/10244/Clean-Energy-Startup-Infinia-Raises-50-Million-To-Crank-up-Manufacturing" rel="nofollow">Clean Energy Startup Infinia Raises $50 Million To Crank up Manufacturing</a> Clean Energy Startup Infinia Raises $50 Million To Crank up Manufacturing

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