Consortium Aims to Develop 50 Percent Efficient Solar Cell

North East, MD (November 4, 2005) – Blue Square Energy (BSE), a developer and manufacturer of high-performance silicon solar cells, announced today that it has been chosen to join a consortium for the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program.  The program will be led by the University of Delaware and aims to increase the efficiency of production line solar cells to 50 percent in 50 months.  Currently, the most powerful production line solar cells operate at roughly 20 percent efficiency.

The VHESC program is a $53 million collaborative effort, of which $33.6 million will come from DARPA.  This is the largest government award in the history of solar research.  The remaining $19.3 million is expected to come from the university and corporate team members. Funding will be awarded to program participants in various phases over the next several years. 

“DARPA has assembled some of the industry’s best and we are proud to be on the team,” said Jeffrey Barnett, president and CEO of BSE.  “DARPA is truly dedicated to developing high-performance solar cells that will have important implications for the military, businesses and families.  We look forward to working with the very accomplished VHESC consortium in achieving our goal of a 50 percent efficient solar cell in 50 months.”

Other potential members of the VHESC consortium include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of Rochester, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Purdue University, the University of California-Santa Barbara, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, the University of New South Wales, Yale University, Carnegie Mellon University, DuPont, BP Solar, Corning Inc., and LightSpin Technologies.

BSE’s core business is manufacturing and selling the world’s largest and most powerful silicon solar cell.  These solar cells can be found in a variety of household appliances, including garden and accent lights. 

The company is also currently developing a cutting-edge, proprietary solar technology and is dedicated to making solar energy affordable for every home and business.

About Blue Square Energy
Blue Square Energy is a developer and manufacturer of high-performance silicon solar cells headquartered in North East, Maryland.  Under the leadership of founder, president and CEO Jeffrey Barnett, the company produces and distributes the world’s largest and most powerful silicon solar cell.  BSE also conducts cutting-edge research and development to keep its cells at the forefront of the solar industry.