Q1: SUNRGI claims that by using its proprietary technology it is possible to produce large amounts of electricity from solar energy at a wholesale cost of 5-cents / kWh.  How can SUNRGI do this when multi-billion dollar energy companies have not been able to achieve the same success?
A: The simple answer to that question is that we don’t know why the big companies have not approached this problem the way SUNRGI has approached it.  What we do know is that our technology enables the production of electricity at a wholesale cost of 5-cents per kWh because of our:      (1) Extreme Photovoltaics Concentration; (2) Proprietary Heat Removal System; (3) Design for low cost mass production and field installation.

Q2: In lay-person terms, how does the product work?
A: Virtually everyone remembers using a lens to magnify sunlight to produce a very bright, powerful, focused spot of light. SUNRGI systems efficiently harness this principal to turn that powerful spot of concentrated sunlight directly into electricity, which can power anything that runs on electricity.

Q3: What is Extreme Concentrated Photovoltaics and how does it differ from Solar Thermal power?
A: Solar thermal systems use the heat from sunlight to heat a fluid, such as oil, which in turn is used to make steam, that then runs the same type of turbine generator used in conventional fossil fuel plants. These plants take a long time to build, are labor-intensive to run and maintain, and require large amounts of water to operate. XCPV systems convert sunlight directly to electricity, without any intermediate step. As such, they are not labor intensive to run or maintain, and do not require any additional resources other than sunlight to operate.

Q4: How soon will this product be available?
A: We expect to begin production of a commercial product in 12 to 15 months.

Q5: Is there a functioning prototype of the product and has the product been tested?
A: Yes. XCPV prototypes have been built and successfully tested under both laboratory and field (outdoor) conditions.

Q6: Who will be able to purchase the product when it is made available?
A: Initially, SUNRGI will target large institutional and corporate customers, including utility companies, government institutions, systems integrators and those companies and projects which have large-scale, renewable power requirements.

Q7: Can this technology be applied to residential applications?
A: Yes it can.

Q8: What effect will this product have on the rates that utility companies charge consumers?
A: SUNRGI believes that ultimately its technology could lead to lower electricity rates, which will have widespread implications for the economy.

Q9: Can SUNRGI technology be deployed in foreign countries, especially in remote areas that do not currently have electricity?
A: Yes, the SUNRGI technology is suitable for on and off-grid applications worldwide.

Q10: Will this technology have an effect on the dependency that the U.S. has on foreign oil?
A: Yes it will. Right now very little electricity is generated using foreign oil. That is not the source of our dependency. Our dependency comes from relying on foreign oil as a key source for home heating oil and gasoline. When low-cost, SUNRGI-generated energy proliferates, inexpensive electricity will encourage substitution of electrical for other energy sources – electric furnaces can replace those that are now oil-fired, electric-powered cars can replace gasoline engines, and solar heating systems for homes, businesses and institutional customers can become widespread.

Q11: How will carbon credits benefit SUNRGI users?
A: During operation, the SUNRGI system does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and therefore users of the SUNRGI system will generate carbon credits.

Q12: Given the fact that there is a shortage of silicon will this affect SUNRGI?
A: Traditional solar cells are based on silicon, of which there is currently a worldwide shortage. SUNRGI XCPV technology does not depend upon silicon, and therefore is not affected by this shortage.

Q13: What is the difference between Solar Thermal Generation and Solar Photovoltaic Generation?
A: Solar Thermal Generation focuses the light from the sun to heat a liquid, such as oil or water. In small-scale applications, this heat is used to make hot tap water, or to heat air for space-heating. At larger scales, this heat is used to make steam to run a massive conventional turbine which then, in turn, produces electricity.

Q14: How do users of solar energy get electricity on cloudy days and at night?
A: Most solar energy systems in the United States are connected to the national electrical “grid” (on-grid use). This means that the users have electricity 24/7. For off-grid users excess electricity would be generated during the day and stored for night time and cloudy day use.

Q15: How will SUNRGI technology help prevent the Brown-Outs and Black-Outs caused by excessive High Peak demand?
A: SUNRGI generates electricity at the time demand is greatest and therefore will help minimize or even eliminate Brown-Outs and Black-Outs caused by High Peak demand.