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NEXT generation solar technology made in Wales has gone into full production.
The portable product, which transfers light into electricity which replicates the process of photosynthesis, is to be first targeted at the market in the developing world where there is little access to permanent sources of electricity.
G24i’s dye-sensitised thin-film technology uses solar cells which are lightweight, durable and ideal for integration or embedding into a wide range of products such as bags and clothing.
All sources of light can be used to generate power so that electricity can effectively be recycled using the technology.
And the plant where the solar cells are being manufactured at Wentloog in Cardiff could become the first to produce its own electricity using wind power from a turbine to be built on site.
Former speaker of the Californian state assembly Bob Hertzberg is chairman of G24i and has made around 30 transatlantic flights from his base in Los Angeles since the plant was established last year.
Democrat Mr Hertzberg was effectively prime minister of California – which has one of the world’s biggest economies – during his two-year stint in the post from 2000 to 2002.
He is one of the closest confidants of Republican governor of California, Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger. And he speaks passionately about the role G24i will play in the future of energy production in a world desperately trying to find ways of cutting carbon emissions to combat climate change without changing people’s way of life.
Speaking at the 187,000 sq ft facility, Mr Hertzberg told the Western Mail of his ambitious plans to create a centre for sustainable technology development in Wales.
He said a cluster of green technology businesses could be created in South Wales, with G24i at its heart.
G24i’s product will first be used to recharge mobile phones, aimed at people in rural areas of the developing world.
Mr Hertzberg said, “People used to think solar was limited to sunny climates, now with this technology you can be in Wales and use solar products.
“There is a lot of potential for real growth. Mobile phone companies are looking at these rural areas as the big growth areas.
“The truth is that people in Africa do have money but many do not have access to power. There is no infrastructure and if you are a farmer looking to sell your produce, you need a cell phone.
“If fishermen and farmers have communication that fundamentally changes how they can do business.
“What we are doing in giving these people a chance to create wealth is altruistic, but it’s also a business. It’s intelligent, all these big companies are falling over themselves looking for power sources.”
“We are the first in the world to commercialise this product. We have built this factory and we have proved that the product works. This is our vision, it works and now are going to focus on the sales side.”
G24i has invested $55m in its Wentloog base, without the help of Welsh Assembly Government grants and Mr Hertzberg said the company is committed to make its venture a success.
An application to build a wind turbine is before Cardiff Council planners and a decision will be made in the next few weeks.
The target is to make G24i energy self sufficient while also making it a focus on the environment for the people of Cardiff and outlying areas.
Mr Hertzberg plans to team up with Techniquest to create an education centre for schools to visit and is hoping to team up with a Welsh university to enhance research and development of the technology.
He said, “People said we couldn’t do this. They said it would not make sense. We have fought our way up a lot of hills to get where we are and it has taken lots of hard work. We can get this to the market quickly for a product that is desperately needed.
“There are so many people and so many options for this and our vision is to have the largest solar energy factory in the UK here in Cardiff.
“And we always had the vision of having renewable energy here on site to power the plant as well as a learning centre. This is a renewable energy factory – making renewables from renewable energy. It’s a new company model and I would love to see whether other companies do the same thing.
“We are excited we are finally producing these solar cells and now we are focused on product development and sales.”
In the future, Mr Hertzberg sees the solar cells being used in windows to capture sunlight – without diminishing the amount of light getting into buildings. There is also the possibility for use by the military, as well as a range of civilian uses.
However, for the moment, the mobile phone market in the developing world is the target of its first sales drive.
Mr Hertzberg added, “I am putting my reputation on the line with this, we take this very seriously.
“Being green can be really good business but we all have an obligation to take care of the world for our kids.”
