First project in Arizona to use Concentrated Solar Power with Dual Effect Absorption Chiller

Tucson, Arizona – February 3, 2012 – Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley, will visit Davis-Monthan Air Force Base today to inspect an air conditioning project that will be fueled by the sun. In a collaborative RDT&E effort, ESTCP, the US Navy and NASA have partnered to build the solar air conditioning system on the Air Force Base. They have selected Sopogy, a Hawaii-based clean tech, as technology provider.

Sopogy’s technology is called MicroCSP for micro-concentrated solar power. MicroCSP is a renewable source of energy delivered through modular, parabolic solar collectors. Sopogy’s collectors are twelve feet long, and weigh less than two-hundred pounds.

At Davis-Monthan AFB, the solar air conditioning system will provide sixty-six tons of chilled air to the Youth Center. Seventy-two MicroCSP collectors will concentrate the sun’s heat onto receiver tubes carrying heat transfer fluid to fuel the chiller. The dual-effect absorption chiller generates cold air with heat, not electricity, the hotter the sun, the more effective the chiller. In addition to the solar collectors, Sopogy is providing proprietary thermal storage to back-up the cooling system. MicroCSP thermal storage is low cost relative to batteries. When clouds roll in, hot fluid will flow from storage to the chiller for continuous production.

Department of Defense studies have concluded that air conditioning accounts for 30-60% of its total facility energy expenditures. Switching from fossil fuels to solar heat will help the DOD to meet is aggressive renewable energy targets. The demonstration project at Davis-Monthan AFB is scheduled for completion in March 2012.

Here’s a video explaining how Solar A/C works: http://sopogy.com/video/sopohow_how_it_works_ep2.html

About Sopogy
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with Micro Concentrated Solar Power, or MicroCSP. Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost. Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset. Please visit www.sopogy.com.

Media Contact
Tsurumi Hamasu
808-237-2439
thamasu@sopogy.com

Koolau, HI—Sopogy, Inc., the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies signed a memorandum of understanding for equity and project finance with Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company, the Chinese contracting and investment firm.

The memorandum of understanding outlines how Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company would invest in Sopogy, Inc. and projects using Sopogy’s MicroCSP technology in Hawaii and China. In return, Sopogy is agreeing to expand in China with Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company as its marketing and manufacturing partner.

Marking the conclusion of weeklong activities for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Hawaii, a signing ceremony took place at the China Aloha Business Leaders’ night gala sponsored by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Bank of Hawaii. Honolulu City and County Mayor Peter Carlisle and others from the Hawaii-China delegation attended the event.

Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company was a member of the APEC 2011 Chinese Business Delegation, and Sopogy was the Honolulu winner of the 2011 Business Innovation Showcase.

About Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company
Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company is a member of the Sichuan Dongjia Group which is focused on real estate development and investment, technology application of energy savings, building design and construction and real property management.

About Sopogy and MicroCSP
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP. Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost. Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset. Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat. Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

Left to Right: Shengri Zhang (Vice President, International Banking for Bank of Hawaii), Betty Hoang Brow (Executive Vice President, International Banking Division of Bank of Hawaii), Judy Carlisle, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Peter Carlisle, Chen Zhengming (Chairman of Sichuan Dongjia Group), Darren T. Kimura (President and CEO Sopogy Inc), Ningjin Miao (2011 Narcissus Queen) Chen Ziwei (Chairwoman of Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company), Lau Gong (Advisor to Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company) Lau Gong (Advisor to Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company).  Photo by Linda Louie.

Left back, Lau Gong (Advisor to Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company), Left front, Ms. Chen Ziwei (Chairwoman of Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company), Ms. Betty Hoang Brow (Executive Vice President, International Banking Division of Bank of Hawaii), Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Peter Carlisle, Mr. Chen Zhengming (Chairman of Sichuan Dongjia Group), Darren T. Kimura (President and CEO of Sopogy).

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

The APEC Technology Showcase winner for the City and County of Honolulu is Sopogy.

Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP. Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost. Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset. Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.

This video will be played during APEC Leaders’ Week on the special in-room TV station, created for the Hawaii Host Committee by 1013 integrated, a Pacific Focus Inc. company. LWTV will be seen in the 30 APEC host hotels on O’ahu on the hotel television network of Visitor Video Inc. in conjunction with Convention Television.

Our planet will support a projected 9.3 billion people by 2050. Visionaries around the world are meeting this challenge now—working on solutions for a flourishing human race by addressing dwindling resources for clean water, energy, food and space to live.

The sun generates far more energy than necessary for life on Earth, yet only a fraction of that is utilized for solar power. In Arizona an innovative company “First Solar” makes thin-film photovoltaic modules affordable and recyclable, while an engineer in Hawai’i with “Sopogy” addresses the challenge of storage.

Lisa Krueger, VP for Sustainable Development at First Solar in Arizona Lisa has a Chemical Engineering degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology and an M.B.A. from Rice. At First Solar she led the vision for creating pre-funded collection and recycling of their photovoltaic modules.

Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy, Inc. in Hawaii Darren studied electrical engineering at Portland State then received a B.A. from the University of Hawaii. He created the core technologies for Sopogy while at Energy Laboratories, a clean technology incubator.

Honolulu, HI—October 24, 2011— Sopogy®, the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, has appointed Craig Lobdell to the newly created position of Vice President of Strategy.

Lobdell is a veteran of the clean energy industry, with over 21 years of energy, clean technology and venture capital experience.  Most recently he was a Director of Advisory Services in San Francisco for KPMG where he led the Cleantech Advisory Services practice.

Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy said, “The solar power industry is undergoing change and through our unique offerings in thermal energy storage, solar air conditioning and industrial heat applications, Sopogy is undergoing rapid growth.  Craig’s experience and wealth of sector knowledge will help us grow strategically and continue to deliver outstanding value to our customers.”

Prior to joining KPMG, Lobdell was a management consultant with CSC Index, Arthur Andersen, and BearingPoint.  In addition he has worked for GE Capital and was a Legislative Affairs Analyst for the Department of Energy (DOE).  Lobdell earned his BA from Carleton College, an MA from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University and an MBA from Yale School of Management, Yale University.

About Sopogy and MicroCSP
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP.  Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost.  Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset.  Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Cost per Watt Reduced on Solar Thermal Installations

Dallas, TX—October 17, 2011— Sopogy® the world leader in micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, launches SopoHelios™, its next generation, parabolic solar collector today at the Solar Power International Conference in Dallas, Texas.

SopoHelios features Sopogy’s patented, award-winning MicroCSP technology.  MicroCSP uses mirrors and optics to intensify the heat energy from the sun creating thermal energy.  Thermal energy is the fuel for clean, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.

The new collector is designed for “high heat” temperatures ranging between 50-326 degrees C or 122-620 degrees F which directly address power generation, solar thermal air conditioning and solar process heat applications.  The collector spanning 7.61 meters squared or 82 square feet, reduces the number of collectors required to power a solar electric power field by 33%.

“Requiring fewer collectors reduces engineering and construction costs and speeds up solar field assembly” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy, Inc.  “SopoHelios maximizes the efficiency for our solar thermal systems and significantly improves the system paybacks,” he added.

Tested in the hot, lava field deserts of Kona for strength, torsion and durability, SopoHelios features a light-weight core, solar tracking, all-weather stow mode, ease of assembly, low maintenance and the capability to enable local manufacturing.

SopoHelios collectors are scheduled for installation in Kalaeloa Solar One, a five megawatt power plant 15 miles from urban Honolulu.  Kalaeloa Solar One will also feature Sopogy’s proprietary thermal heat storage system.  Storage stabilizes production when cloudy and prolongs energy production after sunset.

About Sopogy
Founded in Hawaii, Sopogy has deployed MicroCSP systems around the world, including Hawaii, California, Texas, Florida, Mexico and Abu Dhabi, with projects underway in Hawaii, Florida, Arizona, Japan, Jordan and Papua New Guinea.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

SopoHelios MicroCSP Collector by Sopogy

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist

Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Highest Efficiency Factor of Micro Concentrating Solar Collectors

Honolulu, September 26, 2011—Sopogy, the world leader in micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP), has successfully received certification from the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) in its recently established OG-100 classification for Concentrating Solar Collectors. Sopogy is the first MicroCSP company with utility-scale collectors used in power generation, air conditioning and process heat to receive the certification.

Darren T. Kimura, Sopogy’s CEO and President said, “The SRCC rating enables applications where Sopogy’s technologies are installed to qualify for numerous state solar programs and validates the performance of Sopogy’s collector technology. The SRCC certification confirms that Sopogy’s MicroCSP collectors are built to international standards of excellence, an important factor for clients considering an investment in Concentrating Solar Power.”

Sopogy’s MicroCSP collectors generate utility-scale solar power, air conditioning and process heat at 18 installations around the world.  At 175 pounds or just under 80 kilograms, Sopogy’s collector is the lightest of all SRCC certified concentrating collectors.  Sopogy’s collector efficiency factor is 0.5897, the highest SRCC rating for MicroCSP collectors .

Sopogy’s MicroCSP collector passed all of the SRCC’s third-party laboratory and outdoor tests.  SRCC awarded Sopogy’s concentrating solar collector the OG (Official Guidelines) 100 certification for meeting all durability, safety and thermal performance requirements.  The SRCC is the nation’s independent accreditor established to provide authoritative performance ratings, certifications and standards for solar thermal products.

California, Arizona and other states, require SRCC certification to qualify for rebates and incentives.  The SRCC’s performance tests are conducted in accordance with international standards.

About Sopogy
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP.  Developing modular collectors less than one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost.  Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset.  Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Honolulu, HI—September 19, 2011— Sopogy® the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies announces the hiring of Terry Revnak as Vice President of Sales.

“Terry’s impressive track record demonstrates his ability to grow markets and provide excellent leadership to his team,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy.  “We are excited to have him as a member of our management team.”

Revnak comes to Sopogy with over 27 years of senior sales management and executive leadership experience at Fortune 100 and growth technology companies.  Most recently he served 5 years as the Vice President of Sales at Mobi PCS.  Previously Revnak worked with AT&T, Motorola and Boeing where he established and executed sales, market and distribution strategies, and managed international sales teams.  Revnak has held primary responsibilities for negotiating and managing relationships with global leaders such as NTT DoCoMo, Singtel, Starhub, Singapore Airlines, JAL, ANA and many others.  Revnak earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Cal State University of Fullerton and his MBA from Chaminade University.

About Sopogy and MicroCSP
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP.  Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost.  Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset.  Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Honolulu—September 14, 2011—Sopogy, the world leader in micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP), has been named a GoingGreen Global 200 award winner for the third year running.

Industry experts, including professionals from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Hewlett-Packard, KPMG and Silicon Valley Bank, selected Sopogy to be amongst the best 200 private cleantech companies from around the world to win the award.

Rodney Lee, Sopogy’s Vice President of Marketing & Communications said, “GoingGreen’s Global 200 Award reflects the view of the international venture community.  We are delighted with the award, and appreciate the continuing recognition over the years.”

About Sopogy
Sopogy revolutionized solar thermal technology with MicroCSP.  Developing modular collectors about one-third the size of a traditional concentrated solar power mirror, Sopogy cut the cost of solar thermal energy to a fraction of the cost.  Proprietary storage units stabilize volatile energy production when cloudy and prolong production after sunset.  Sopogy’s thermal energy is the fuel for stable, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Honolulu, August 31, 2011—Sopogy, the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, is the Hawaii Business Innovation Showcase winner for the City and County of Honolulu.  The award gives Sopogy a platform to showcase its technologies during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Week conference in November 2011.

Sopogy is one of five showcase winners that will be on display at numerous venues, including the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, and the CEO Summit at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.   Sopogy will also feature in Leader’s Week Hawaii TV in-room hotel program, an APEC Hawaii virtual online exhibit, a full page ad in the Star Advertiser, and a Hawaii Business circular to be distributed to APEC dignitaries and media.

Sopogy’s technologies are helping APEC economies achieve their clean energy goals and create local jobs.  Sopogy has installations in place or in progress in the US, Mexico, Japan and Papua New Guinea, with agreements for further systems in China, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy said, “Given the quality and quantity of companies vying for this title, we are really honored to have been selected as the APEC Business Innovation winner for Honolulu.”

Sopogy’s patented MicroCSP technology uses mirrors and optics to intensify the heat from the sun creating thermal energy.  Thermal energy is the fuel for efficient, renewable power generation, air conditioning, and process heat.  Sopogy’s collectors are about one-third the size of a traditional solar parabolic trough systems and can generate 30% more energy than fixed-mounted PV panels.  Sopogy’s proprietary thermal storage system stabilizes volatile production when cloudy and prolongs production after sunset.

About Sopogy
Founded in Hawaii in 2002 and incorporated in 2006, Sopogy has deployed 18 MicroCSP systems around the world.   For more information, please visit www.sopogy.com.

About APEC
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, is a 21-member association of economies from the Asia-Pacific region working together to advance regional economic integration and prosperity.  During 2009 APEC Summit in Singapore, President Barack Obama announced Honolulu, Hawaii as the host city for the 2011 Leaders Meeting.  http://www.apec2011hawaii.com/what-apec

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Honolulu, HI—August 8, 2011— Sopogy, Inc., the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, is pleased to announce the promotion of Rodney Lee to Vice President of Marketing & Communications. In this role he has responsibilities for the strategy, tactics and programs to create interest, demand and recognition for Sopogy’s solutions.

Rodney joined Sopogy in January 2011 as Marketing Manager. Prior to joining, he was a Director at Bedrock, a brand consultancy. Rodney’s clients included Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Kaiser Permanente, HMSA and Kamehameha Schools. He has a BS in Agriculture & Resource Economics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

About Sopogy and MicroCSP
Sopogy’s innovative MicroCSP technologies use mirrors and optics to intensify the heat energy from the sun creating thermal energy. Thermal energy is the fuel for efficient, renewable power generation, air conditioning, process heat, and desalination. Sopogy’s MicroCSP systems can generate 30% more energy than fixed-mounted photovoltaic panels, and unlike PV, MicroCSP collectors are easily recycled at end of life. Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information

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Media Contact:
Tsurumi Hamasu, PR Specialist
Sopogy, Inc.
thamasu@sopogy.com
808-237-2439

Honolulu, July 21, 2011—Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy, Inc., will be inducted to Hawaii’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors today. Sopogy is the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies. MicroCSP uses mirrors and optics to intensify the heat energy from the sun creating thermal energy.

“We are most pleased that Darren T. Kimura has agreed to join the Board of Directors of The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii,” said Jim Tollefson, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. “Darren brings to the Board strong entrepreneurial and leadership skills, and critical knowledge in the important field of clean and alternative energy.”

“I am honored to join Hawaii’s Chamber of Commerce Board, and am excited that clean tech and alternative energy is high on the Board’s agenda,” said Mr. Kimura.

Darren T. Kimura established Sopogy, Inc. in 2006.  Today, the company has eighteen installations around the US and the world, including Hawaii, California, Florida, Texas, Mexico, and Abu Dhabi.  Additional installations are underway in Arizona and Papua New Guinea.

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Deal Establishes Framework for Southeast Asian Expansion

Bangkok – July 14, 2011 – Sopogy, Inc., the world’s leading developer of micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, and MAI Development Co. Ltd., an established Thai conglomerate focusing on manufacturing, construction, real estate, energy and government services, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of a six-megawatt solar power plant in Bau Yai, Nakorn Ratchasima Province to provide electricity to the Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand (PEA) in 2012.

In addition, Sopogy has granted MAI Development exclusive distribution rights for MicroCSP systems in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

MAI Development holds 45 power purchase licenses to supply 360 megawatts of electricity produced from solar energy to the PEA for an estimated value of over $500 Million USD.

“Sopogy’s proven solar technology and thermal energy storage system will help Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam achieve clean energy goals,” said Phatthanasret Chayutthanabun, President of M.A.I. Development.  “In addition, Sopogy’s localized approach will create needed jobs.  We appreciate being Sopogy’s exclusive partners in these markets.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with MAI Development,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy. “MAI’s commitment to solar thermal energy, strong track record in Thailand, and excellent governmental relations within Southeast Asia make the company an ideal partner for Sopogy.”

About Sopogy
Sopogy’s patented Micro Concentrated Solar Power (MicroCSP) technology uses mirrors and optics to intensify the heat energy from the sun creating thermal energy.  Thermal energy is the fuel for efficient, renewable power generation, air conditioning, process heat, and desalination.  Sopogy’s MicroCSP systems can generate 30% more energy than fixed-mounted photovoltaic panels, and unlike PV, MicroCSP collectors are easily recycled at end of life.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honolulu, HI—July 2, 2011— Sopogy, Inc., the leader in MicroCSP™ solar technology development, manufacturing and installation, announced it has moved its Corporate headquarters to accommodate rapid growth.

The new offices are at the Airport Trade Center, near the Honolulu International Airport. Sopogy’s new address is 550 Paiea Street, Suite 236, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA.  Sopogy plans to continue using its Waiwai Loop facilities for Research and Development.

About Sopogy
Sopogy specializes in MicroCSP™ solar technologies that bring the economics of large solar energy systems to the industrial, commercial and utility sectors in a smaller, robust and more cost effective package. Sopogy’s goal is to create solar technologies that include sunlight concentration, sun tracking, thermal storage, and are easy to install thus simplifying the solar power business. Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Dy Phung
Sopogy, Inc.
dphung@sopogy.com
808-237-2422

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honolulu, HI—May 23, 2011— Sopogy, Inc., the leader in MicroCSP solar technology development, manufacturing and installation, announced the promotion of Jim Norvelle to Vice President of Manufacturing and Research & Development.

James is a Silicon Valley senior business executive with extensive experience in all aspects of supply chain and operations management.  He most recently served as Vice-President of Operations for Clear-Com Communications, a global provider in professional communication systems since 1968, where he was responsible for all aspects of operations and supply chain management.  Prior to Clear-Com, James served 18 years at 3Com Corporation where he served as its Senior Director of Operations.

About Sopogy
Sopogy specializes in MicroCSP solar technologies that bring the economics of large solar energy systems to the industrial, commercial and utility sectors in a smaller, robust and more cost effective package. Sopogy’s goal is to create solar solutions that improve the quality of life and simplify the solar power business.  Please visit www.sopogy.com for more information.

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Media Contact:
Dy Phung
Sopogy, Inc.
dphung@sopogy.com
808-237-2422

Sopogy, Inc ., a leading developer of reliable and cost-effective micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, partnered with the City of San Jose and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at the San Jose Green Vision Clean Energy Showcase – a knowledge hub for clean energy education and awareness. An installation of Sopogy’s SopoLite , a portable version of its proprietary parabolic trough collector, will be available through December 2011 to provide education, experience and information on MicroCSP technology.

Designed, engineered and proven in the US, Sopogy’s MicroCSP products address both power and thermal applications, including power generation, process heating and air conditioning. The MicroCSP solution consists of parallel rows of parabolic mirror collectors, optics and an integrated tracker to concentrate the sun’s energy on a centrally-located receiver tube and re-circulate heat transfer fluid within the system. The generated high-temperature heat is used in conjunction with a power block engine to provide a renewable source of power. The MicroCSP system is capable of producing power on-site at customers’ location for both roof and ground mounted installations. In addition, the system has been designed for fast installation and high efficiency through low-cost thermal storage solution to greatly increase value to customers.

“We are excited to take part in educating the community about the benefits of solar energy and MicroCSP technology,” says Darren T. Kimura, President & CEO of Sopogy. “By increasing awareness of solar technologies, the community can make informed decisions about clean energy options, as well as further its participation in San Jose`s Green Vision.”

The city of San Jose and the U.S. DOE introduced the showcase project to educate and allow community participation in the city’s green energy and green tech job goals. The new, interactive innovation center provides the public firsthand experience with installations of cutting-edge clean energy technologies. The showcase will advance key goals of San Jose`s Green Vision as it looks to educate consumers about clean energy solutions, as well as provide vital training and education for San Jose`s students.

Press Release

By: Jane Wells
Correspondent

No state in the nation is as dependent on oil as Hawaii.

Oil fuels 90 percent of its power grid, and all that fuel has to be shipped in. Governor Neil Abercrombie estimates oil costs the state of 1.3 million people $7 billion a year.

So Hawaii has been investing heavily in alternative sources of power, with a goal of getting 30 percent of all power from alternative sources by 2030, compared to about 10 percent now. Going green is a big theme here.

Even Hawaiian-born Pierre Omidyar, founder of Ebay [EBAY  30.78    0.83  (+2.77%)  ], is putting his money where his mouth is, as his charitable organizationsupports some sustainability projects.

But in Hawaii, NIMBY (not in my backyard) takes on a whole new meaning. When land is limited, the entire state is your backyard. Winning over the locals to the idea of wind farms and solar arrays in paradise takes patience and flexibility.

“I think it’s a great step forward,” says Carol Feinga, who helps head a community association in the town of Laie, on Oahu’s north shore. She’s talking about a new wind farm in nearby Kahuku built by First Wind, which will provide enough power to serve 7,700 homes. “For us to succeed and survive there are opportunities available for renewable resources,” she says in the shadow of the massive turbines.

But, so far, green power isn’t any cheaper, even with federal subsidies. “Right now we’re probably a little bit more expensive (than traditional electricity), but over a relatively short period of time, we’re going to be competitive,” says First Wind’s Chief Development Officer Kurt Adams.

His firm was able to build the new wind farm with a government loan, and Adams says that for the first time, a plant will combine turbines with a special battery system to smooth out volatility to the electrical grid caused by changes in wind velocity. Both the turbines and the batteries used here are built by American companies.

The Kahuku wind farm sits just out of view of the Turtle Bay Resort, but you can’t miss it if you’re driving on the main road. First Wind also operates a larger wind farm on Maui,  visible on the mountainside while driving from the airport to Lahaina.

The company would also like to build on Molokai as part of a plan to capture wind on outer islands and bring that power underwater to Honolulu, where it’s most needed. But locals on Molokai have not agreed on what land First Wind can use. David Murdock’s Castle & Cooke is running into similar problems on Lanai, where locals are pushing back against a wind farm that some feel will do more harm than good.

“Hawaiians have a very strong sense of their place,” says Kurt Adams of First Wind. “So we like to reach out to the community and spend a lot of time working with the community before we break ground.”

That’s something that Darren T. Kimura, CEO of Sopogy, already knows. His company is based in Hawaii, developing technology for concentrated solar power plants around the world, including one on the Big Island.

“The islands are separated, so every single island has its own grid,” he says, explaining the challenge of integrating renewable energy, with its intermittent nature, such as clouds over the sun. “Our technology incorporates storage, where we are able to basically buffer the effects of clouds.” Kimura says that with concentrated solar, a plant can store power to be used after the sun sets, “way up to maybe even midnight.”

He says solar power companies haven’t experienced the same pushback from locals that the wind energy industry has seen. Still, he’s heard complaints, like feedback on Sopogy’s solar collector called the SopoNova . “We heard from the locals here, ‘Wow, SopoNova’s really ugly’—and it did look ugly. We redesigned it, we designed the aesthetics of it to match the ground color for example, and we made it blend in with local topology.”

Such efforts pay off. Green energy has won over converts. “We lack sustainability,” says resident John Primacio of Kahuku, who’s become a fan of the wind farm. He was impressed that First Wind actually bought the land for the facility rather than leasing it.

“We interpret that to mean they’re going to stay here,” says Primacio. “They’re going to develop and continue providing wind energy. It can only help the endeavor to cut the state from buying oil.”

The high-tech company is using its expertise to compete globally

By Alan Yonan Jr.

POSTED: 12:30 a.m. HST, Mar 13, 2011

Click here to enlarge chart.

More Photos

From its modest headquarters in an industrial area near Honolulu Airport, homegrown high-tech company Sopogy Inc. is taking on some of the world’s biggest names in renewable energy.

Launched in 2002 by local entrepreneur Darren Kimura, Sopogy has leveraged its expertise in the field of concentrated solar power to win contracts on the mainland and across the globe. Among its competitors are Siemens AG, a German conglomerate with a market capitalization of $116 billion, and Spain’s Abengoa SA, another multibillion-dollar firm.

Sopogy, which pioneered the development of “MicroCSP” technology, recently announced its biggest deal to date: the installation of 200 megawatts of generating capacity in China.

“Sopogy is a perfect example of a tech company that has hit a home run in Hawaii,” said Bill Spencer, president of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association. “Darren is a testament to how a technology company in Hawaii can seek out a global market and deliver. There are no boundaries if it is done properly.”

Sopogy’s patented system is a variation on an older solar energy technology first tested 30 years ago in the Mojave Desert. The Department of Energy oversaw the project near Barstow, Calif., that featured huge mirrored troughs used to concentrate solar energy and create steam that turned a turbine to generate electricity.

Kimura and his team took the technology, scaled down the troughs to one-fourth of the size and made other improvements that resulted in the systems being more mobile and less costly. Since completing research and development in 2005 Sopogy has installed six MicroCSP systems and has at least six more in the development stage. Project locations include Abu Dhabi, Mexico and Papua New Guinea.

The company has been growing at about 300 percent a year since 2005, but Kimura said he expects that to slow to a mere 60 percent to 80 percent annually in the coming years.

The 37-year-old Kimura, who launched his first company while a student at the University of Hawaii, has assembled an impressive management team that includes former Kamehameha Schools Vice President Michael Loo as chief financial officer.

Kimura remains chairman of the board of Energy Industries, an energy-efficiency consulting firm he launched in 2004 that now has offices across the western U.S., Hawaii, Guam and Japan.

“I can still say that all my companies are based here because that’s fundamental to what I do,” Kimura said. “I’m trying to develop an energy industry here that we can use to create critical mass.”

Kimura’s commitment to Hawaii, both through his business ventures and community outreach, will help pave the way for future local entrepreneurs looking to get ventures off the ground here, said Yuka Nagashima, president of the Hawaii Technology Development Corp.

“He’s very community oriented. He’s passing along his experience, and the more successful companies that Hawaii produces, the easier it will be for the rest of us,” Nagashima said.

“It helps counter the image of Hawaii as only a tourist destination.”

Sopogy was one of several Hawaii startups that benefited from a now-defunct state program known as Act 221 that provided tax breaks to investors who put money into local tech companies.

“It made people more willing to invest in Hawaii companies. That’s why I supported 221,” Spencer said. “We needed a way to get people to invest in Hawaii. At the same time, we have to have confidence in our entrepreneurs. We just needed to prime the pump,” he said.

Sopogy has 42 patents in various stages on its technology, Kimura said. One of the breakthroughs the company was able to achieve through its R&D was a way to use the heat from its solar collectors to turn a turbine without using steam. Standard CSP systems, as well as many oil-fired generators, use steam to turn turbines. But using steam requires a constant supply of fresh water. In addition, steam corrodes turbine blades, requiring frequent maintenance.

Sopogy’s system instead uses a thermodynamic cycle that achieves the same results without using steam, Kimura said. Parabolic mirrors made of polished aluminum are used to collect sunlight and focus it on a tube carrying a heat-transfer fluid, usually mineral oil. The mineral oil is heated to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit and pumped through an evaporator where the heat is used to vaporize a liquid refrigerant. The vapors turn a turbine that generates electricity. The mineral oil is then sent back to the mirrors to be reheated. The vaporized refrigerant is cooled and returned to a liquid state to be used again.

Sopogy also uses its MicroCSP technology to power air-conditioning systems using an absorption cooling process. The system works in much the same as a natural gas air-conditioning system.

In both systems, water is heated to temperatures just cooler than 200 degrees and collected in a storage tank. The water then goes through an absorption chiller that cools the cold water used in the building’s fan units.

The results are in and finalists have been chosen for the top North American renewable energy leaders, innovations and projects of the year. Readers’ Choice voting opens today!