Xerox has long been committed to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its employees, customers and neighbors. The company has received major environmental awards worldwide, and it has been a leader in implementing conservation measures and environmentally friendly policies. Now, one of its subsidiaries - the Palo Alto Research Center in Palo Alto, Calif. - is looking at how its research expertise can lead to new alternative-energy solutions and much more.

Called the "clean technologies" initiative, PARC's research program is designed to focus on key areas of renewable energy. It employs PARC's unique multidisciplinary approach to develop fresh ways to solve energy challenges, including solar energy generation; energy distribution, reduction and conservation; and contamination monitoring.

As the first part of this initiative, announced in February 2006, PARC is working with SolFocus Inc., a manufacturer of low-cost solar energy systems, to cut the cost of solar power by as much as half.

The venture builds on the original SolFocus design for concentrator photovoltaic technology. CPV technology creates electricity by using precision optical components such as lenses and mirrors to direct and "concentrate" sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells. SolFocus' prototype solar panels are smaller, cheaper, and easier to manufacture than the flat-plate photovoltaic panels that currently dominate the market.

PARC is contributing core patents and long-term technology development support for current and next-generation product lines in exchange for royalties and equity in SolFocus.

"The first-generation panels will break price barriers in the market, but the second-generation panels with PARC technology will change the market for solar dramatically," said Gary Conley, SolFocus chief executive officer. "The current installed cost of the flat-plate photovoltaic systems is about $7 per watt, but our approach should produce electricity for about half that amount -- or less."

The SolFocus first-generation design for a low-cost photovoltaic module was honored with the grand prize at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's 18th Industry Growth Forum. The second-generation design dramatically improves cost, durability and scalability. The innovative module design is based on a solid-state, or "one-piece," concept featuring small reflective concentrator elements housed in a flat molded glass tile with mirrors on each side. Among the advantages of the new module: it does not use scarce silicon, it has no moving parts that could lead to mechanical failure, it has minimal components, and assembly technology is automated. Together, these features have yielded breakthrough improvements in cost, size, durability, and scalability.

The first-generation SolFocus CPV prototypes were installed at PARC in January 2006. According to Scott Elrod, head of PARC's clean tech initiative, their installation signaled his program's progress. "We believe there are big market opportunities in clean technology, and we have a half-dozen additional projects under way that could be equally transformative."

Under PARC's clean technologies initiative, research teams identify market opportunities relating to energy or the environment and apply an interdisciplinary approach to develop innovative, market-driven technology solutions. PARC frequently collaborates with industry partners and has addressed solar energy, clean water, energy efficiency, and improved reliability of the power grid.

For more information, please visit www.parc.com/cleantech.

For more information on Xerox and its environmental programs and policies, visit www.xerox.com/environment.