24 December 2010

French CPV start-up Heliotrop wins innovation awards

Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) module maker Heliotrop S.A.S. of Paris, France has won two awards for its CPV units.

Formed in 2009, Heliotrop (which means Sunflower in Greek) was selected from among more than 400 start-ups to receive the ‘Grand Prix de l’Innovation 2010 de la Ville de Paris’ (Prize for Innovation, organized by Mairie de Paris, Paris-Développement and the laboratory Paris Région Innovation). The Grands Prix de l’Innovation aim to allow young, innovative companies (e.g. those developing a technology that can be disseminated on a large scale) to be encouraged, supported and validated.

The firm also received the ‘Prix Spécial du Jury – Clean Tech Republic. Heliotrop was selected for this prize by renewable-focused online publication Clean Tech Republic from among over 70 start-ups.

The awards are a sign of recognition of Heliotrop's patented technologies, says the firm's Paul Bellavoine. “Our high-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) modules (1024 suns, higher concentration than most CPV competitors) allow us to reach a Levelized Cost of Electricity under 15c€/kWh in high direct solar irradiance areas,” he claims.

Heliotrop is currently commissioning its G2.0 CPV units in several countries (in Europe and North Africa) and will start to market CPV plants in 2011. It also installed a G1.0 unit in the south of France in summer 2010.

Tags: CPV

Visit: www.heliotrop.fr