Heliostats, heliostat arrays, and solar thermal manufacturing systems from LightManufacturing make sustainable energy a practical reality. Our heliostat products offer lowest-cost-per-watt performance along with innovative shatterproof tensioned membrane mirrors, and available wireless control systems. Ideal for building heating and lighting, hot water, steam generation, agricultural drying, and much more. The H1 Heliostat is shipping now. We also make solar thermal plastic molding systems. Our SRM (Solar Rotational Molding) solutions are turn-key "Factory in a Box" systems that use heat from heliostats to melt plastic and make useful products like water tanks, boats, road barriers and more - with zero fossil fuel inputs. Competitive low costs solar manufacturing, harnessing the H1 heliostat. We will be expanding our industrial applications for concentrated solar - contact us with your application today, and see how we can help. Learn more about heliostatsand solar thermal manufacturing. Key Concepts: heliostats, heliostat arrays, solar, sustainable manufacturing, solar plastic molding, cleantech, greentech, leed points, sustainability, plastics

Developed World

Solar Rotational Molding is the only solar energy application which is competitive with a traditional manufacturing process, without subsidies.  Because SRM’s initial investment costs AND operating costs are lower than traditional rotational molding, it does not require subsidies or other government incentives to compete.  SRM is market-ready sustainable manufacturing.

There are several developed-world markets which are a natural fit to SRM:

Commodity Part Molding

Water tanks, fuel tanks, and many other products with high unit requirements and fixed designs are are manufactured by many competing ‘commodity molders’.  These molders compete on very fine margins.  A Solar Rotational Molder has a significant cost advantage due to zero energy costs (typically 10% of the cost of the finished part).   An investment in SRM has better IRR and ROI than an investment in a similar-capacity traditional molding system.  Applying LightManufacturing’s heliostat CSP ( concentrated solar power) systems to molding mean ongoing energy costs are a thing of the past.

LEED / ‘Green’ Building Components

SRM generates zero greenhouse gasses, and can be used to mold architectural components (water storage, decorative features, structural elements, more) out of new or recycled plastics.  By specifying SRM-produced parts, an architect or developer can earn LEED credits and qualify for other ‘green’-incentivized building programs.

Incentivized Markets

SRM is competitive with traditional molding without incentives.  For markets that DO have incentives – Carbon-emissions pricing, legislated sustainable content, or other, SRM has an extreme advantage.  Local, Regional, or National entities have created a number of local markets in which SRM can grow rapidly.  Avoid carbon-taxes or generate carbon credits by converting to SRM – market ready sustainable manufacturing.

Sustainable / ‘Green’ Consumer Products

Economics aside, some consumers are highly motived to purchase sustainably-produced products, even at a price premium.  A larger group of consumer are motivated to purchase sustainably-produced products if available at a similar price to ordinary products.   SRM provides a way for consumerproduct makers to bring their existing products to the expanding ‘green’ market, with revenue and brand-identity benefits.

Markets in which sustainable manufacturing has strong impact include:  boating (kayaking, canoeing, small craft), home products (outdoor furniture, garden products), industrial processes, maintenance, and many more.