cleantech in china

Story in EETimes about Cal Berkeley researchers publishing some work on using "dirty silicon" for solar cells. Seems like a simple idea, slower cooling, that may greatly enhance the effectiveness of solar cells built with silicon that contains lots of impurities. Should make for cheaper, clean energy. Cool if it can be commercialized and reach the market.

Clean energy technologies (洁净能源) or cleantech for short is an area we're looking at too. We recently announced a project to use wafers reclaimed from the semiconductor manufacturing process as the basis of solar cells. Plans are to expand these offerings in the future too. And we're not the only entrant in this and other cleantech in China.

Nice. It's a feel-good time for a lot of new technology ventures; between clean, eco-friendly energy ventures that will diminish dependence on fossil fuels (and nasty regimes who sit atop reserves) and web 2.0's empowering of individual voices and connecting them through social networks and conversations.