Since 2005 I have been best known for covering open source.
What I learned there is important now that Westinghouse has claimed a patent on its latest solar panel mount. The company's first patent in this area was sought in 2004. (Paul Rand created the Westinghouse logo, right. He also did logos for IBM and Enron.)
The latest, number 7,832,157 for those scoring at home, claims to be “optimized for fast and reliable installation,” allowing panels and modules to be mounted “closer together.”
Westinghouse Solar CEO Barry Cinammon says the company will work with “distribution and licensing partners” to profit from its invention, “integrating the racking, wiring and grounding into the frame of the solar panel itself.”
Sounds like a good idea. But there are only a few ways this can go. Either a buyer of Westinghouse panels has a proprietary solution that must be replaced if he goes with another vendor, or Westinghouse gains monopoly rents from the whole industry if it's offered as a standard under Fair, Reasonable and Non Discriminatory (FRAND) conditions.
In open source, FRAND is an area of immense controversy. Attempts to upgrade a European Interoperability Framework (EIF), a standard for software throughout Europe, are being fought by a loose coalition of activists who note (quite rightly) that they raise every buyer's costs for the benefit of a few. They prefer India's open standards preference policy, which states that if you want to put your technology into a standard it has to be royalty-free. That's the way the Internet works – there are no monopoly rents on Internet standards.
Personally, I believe strongly that solar panels need standards. I don't want to have to wait for the Pentium version of solar power before I bite. I want the PC version.
If the Westinghouse connector is best, the best thing to do is make it part of an open standard. If Westinghouse wants no part of that, then I think it could be an Apple II in a PC world, if the rest of the industry gets behind a reasonable alternative. If Westinghouse wants to offer its connector under FRAND conditions, we can talk about that.
My guess is there are several companies that would be well-qualified to participate in such a process. And there are many independent experts working in the field.
The key, to me, is to move forward toward standards. They grow markets faster than any proprietary offering. Some 40 years of technology history argues for it.
Who's with me?
I agree, the solar energy technology needs more polishing rather than just branding. Companies should be more attentive to the possibility of growth of
solar panels and the solar powered technology rather than just for their own benefits and gains.
This truly a very remarkable technology and we can really gain a whole lot more if they develop it to its full potential.
I agree, the solar energy technology needs more polishing rather than just branding. Companies should be more attentive to the possibility of growth of
solar panels and the solar powered technology rather than just for their own benefits and gains.
This truly a very remarkable technology and we can really gain a whole lot more if they develop it to its full potential.
There’s no reason for treating patents differently for solar power technology. Inventors need to be rewarded. They can’t live off the emotional feelings of idealists like Dana.
By the way Dana, are you already driving a hybrid? No?
There’s no reason for treating patents differently for solar power technology. Inventors need to be rewarded. They can’t live off the emotional feelings of idealists like Dana.
By the way Dana, are you already driving a hybrid? No?
I am with you for going solar! People, or so to say all of us, just need to learn more and understand the functions and purposes of solar power. One must also know and identify the solar panel prices first before buying. I know for sure, people will be fascinated on how wonderful solar panels are and how they can be beneficial for all.
I am with you for going solar! People, or so to say all of us, just need to learn more and understand the functions and purposes of solar power. One must also know and identify the solar panel prices first before buying. I know for sure, people will be fascinated on how wonderful solar panels are and how they can be beneficial for all.
Seems Dana is spraying his blog with pro-solar posts, using different names. Yawn.
Seems Dana is spraying his blog with pro-solar posts, using different names. Yawn.
Excellent! I love reading through about post like these relating to sustainable energy sources, And also gizmos that i might use with regard to eco-friendly living like Solar Panel Cells i really enjoy it and it actually helps with lowering waste materials helping sustain our own failing planet. So lets all do our part. =)
Excellent! I love reading through about post like these relating to sustainable energy sources, And also gizmos that i might use with regard to eco-friendly living like Solar Panel Cells i really enjoy it and it actually helps with lowering waste materials helping sustain our own failing planet. So lets all do our part. =)