With Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) recently announcing plans to invest $1.2 billion over the next year to double its production capacity for image sensors with the intent of capturing 30% of the mobile phones market many investors quickly called into question the future of OmniVision Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OVTI), assuming the advanced digital imaging solutions developer might be in a fight that they can’t win.
One look at the technology backing OVTI should tell investors otherwise. While Sony has a big name and certainly has the money to throw around what they don’t have is the ability to produce the same kind of quality image sensors that OVTI has been developing for years and with consumer demands for digital cameras and mobile phones continuing to climb as well as the advancement of tablets the future for OmniVision remains bright.
On December 9, 2010 OVTI filed its 10-Q and the following day shares hit a 52-week high of 33.00 but they have been slowly dropping and have been as low as 27.71 on January 5, 2011. Shares have settled around the 28.40 – 28.80 range, slightly lower than the 50-day moving average of 28.86 but still above the 200-day moving average of 22.76. Oddly the dip in share price has had nothing to do with OVTI’s performance but rather the perceived threat from Sony.
The reality is OVTI has a significant technological advantage over its competitors in the image sensor market. This advantage lies in their back-side illumination (BSI) camera chips, a technology that Sony and others abandoned due to problems manufacturing the chips in a cost-effective manner. It is this technology that produces superior imaging quality for mobile phones and digital cameras, and a big reason why OVTI dominates these segments.
With the explosion of the smartphone OVTI has placed itself in the enviable position of being the camera chip supplier for Apple and its iPhone 4. The magnitude of that deal can be grasped when taking a look at recent reports that have said Apple has increased its shipment goal for the first quarter of 2011 to around 20 million iPhones. It’s safe to say that Apple users don’t settle for inferior technology and because OVTI has the BSI technology down it should keep their relationship with Apple solid.
In addition to the iPhone deal OVTI is also working with Apple on their second generation iPad, providing two cameras, a 5 MP camera and a VGA camera. When you consider that Apple controls about 90% of the tablet market at the end of the day OmniVision is doing just fine. Of course there was the rumor last year that Apple was considering acquiring Sony and that could have slowed OVTI’s progress but those rumors were quickly quashed by the iPad maker.
OVTI, which manufactures its image sensors using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication process, also stands to grab more of the market in the digital still camera and digital video camera applications sector as forecasters have predicted the 25.3 million units produced in 2009 will jump to 56 million units by 2013 with CMOS image sensor backing that growth. According to analysts that growth will come about due to consumer demand for portable, flash-based video cameras that offer high quality image capture and HD video that can then be integrated onto social media and video sharing platforms. These are the trends that project a bright future for OVTI.
Of course OVTI isn’t the only one on the block that manufactures CMOS image sensors and in their 10-Q they identified Aptina Imaging, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, STMicroelectronics and Toshiba as competitors in that market. OmniVision acknowledged that they could face price competition in the market for mobile phones, notebooks, webcams, digital still and video cameras as well as other markets that they target including entertainment devices, security and surveillance systems, and automotive and medical imaging systems.
OmniVision noted, “Although we believe that we currently compete effectively in those markets, our competitive position could be impaired by companies that have greater financial, technical, marketing, manufacturing and distribution resources, broader product lines, better access to large customer bases, greater name recognition, longer operating histories and more established strategic and financial relationships than we do.”
This disclaimer shouldn’t be cause for concern for OVTI investors though as they have done a fairly good job building their name and establishing solid relationships.
If there is a drawback to OVTI it’s that they have very little control over the consumer’s demand for devices, making them particularly vulnerable during an economic downturn that may cause consumers to hold off on purchasing new devices. This was evidenced in 2009 and part of 2010 when the global economic conditions led to what OVTI called “one of the most challenging periods in our history. In particular, we believe consumers and businesses in markets into which we sell our products reduced spending in response to the tightening of lending standards by financial institutions, negative financial news and the continued uncertainty in the global economy. For example, beginning in our fiscal 2009, end-customer demand decreased significantly, negatively affecting demand for all consumer electronic products, security products and products for the automotive industry. Consequently, the overall demand for image sensors also decreased. This decrease in demand had a significant impact on our revenues, results of operations, cash flows and overall business.”
That being said the global outlook has improved dramatically and in their first quarter 2011 they reported revenues of $193.1 million, an 83% jump on a year over year basis and up 23% on a sequentially. Net income was reported at $16.9 million, nearly 5x the $3.5 million earned in the fourth quarter 2010 and up from a loss a year earlier.
Things improved in their second quarter 2011 when they reported revenues of $239.5 million, up from the $183.3 reported in the second quarter 2010. Net income in the second quarter also jumped significantly as the company reported the figure at $28.9 million, up from the $8.1 million reported a year earlier. The company went on to say that based on the current trends they anticipated third quarter revenues to be between $230 million and $250 million.
As it stands OVTI looks to be in a great position heading forward. Their gamble to stick with BSI technology when the bigger names were bailing has put them in favorable standing and left Sony, Panasonic, etc. playing catch up. With the settling of economic conditions, increased consumer demand for smartphones, digital cameras, tablets, and other electrical devices that use image sensors, and strong relationships with companies like Apple the future of OmniVision looks positive.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Middle East/Med Region Could Solar Power World 3 Times Over
The sunny MENA (Middle East- North Africa) region and its associated countries could solar power the world, Maurice reports. This map-maker left out Israel.
Middle Eastern and North African countries, often referred to under the umbrella term MENA countries, have the potential to create more than 3 times the world’s power needs, according to a new study reported in the Dubai-based Khaleej Times.
Countries that move fast, the study suggests, could have the competitive advantage. Who could take the lead: MENA countries, especially ones located on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as others like Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel could be. These countries are no strangers to the notion of solar energy, and Green Prophet has covered countless articles touting solar energy in the Middle East.
One of the region’s leading solar energy development countries, Israel, has even been asked by the UN to increase its development of solar energy. Despite being an instrumental innovator through companies such as BrightSource or Solel, Israel’s own use of solar power at home more closely resembles that of a developing nation.
The Khaleej Times article pointed out that countries in the MENA region have the “greatest potential for solar regeneration” supplying 45% of the world’s energy sources possible through renewable energy. Renewable energy sources of interest in this region include Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City as well as its hosting of the World Renewable Energy Agency headquarters . Known as IRENA, this center could fuel development in the whole region.
A big problem, however, is under-funding of renewable energy projects, due to a big abundance of oil and other fossil fuels, says Beirut based Ibrahim El Hussenei, a partner in the London based energy project development company, Booz & Company whose representatives were present at the COP 15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Middle Eastern and North African countries, often referred to under the umbrella term MENA countries, have the potential to create more than 3 times the world’s power needs, according to a new study reported in the Dubai-based Khaleej Times.
Countries that move fast, the study suggests, could have the competitive advantage. Who could take the lead: MENA countries, especially ones located on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as others like Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel could be. These countries are no strangers to the notion of solar energy, and Green Prophet has covered countless articles touting solar energy in the Middle East.
One of the region’s leading solar energy development countries, Israel, has even been asked by the UN to increase its development of solar energy. Despite being an instrumental innovator through companies such as BrightSource or Solel, Israel’s own use of solar power at home more closely resembles that of a developing nation.
The Khaleej Times article pointed out that countries in the MENA region have the “greatest potential for solar regeneration” supplying 45% of the world’s energy sources possible through renewable energy. Renewable energy sources of interest in this region include Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City as well as its hosting of the World Renewable Energy Agency headquarters . Known as IRENA, this center could fuel development in the whole region.
A big problem, however, is under-funding of renewable energy projects, due to a big abundance of oil and other fossil fuels, says Beirut based Ibrahim El Hussenei, a partner in the London based energy project development company, Booz & Company whose representatives were present at the COP 15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
Central Heating Boiler Scrappage Scheme in England announced
Today, the Government has launched a new £400 grant for those replacing old and inefficient boilers with modern or carbon efficient models.
Under the Solar Boiler Scrappage Scheme, if you are a homeowner or private tenant replacing a G-Rated or equivalent boiler you could be eligible for a grant of up to £400 to aid with the cost of having it replaced. The Government believe around 125,000 households will initially stand to benefit from the new scheme.
This £400 saving is in addition to efficiency savings which can reduce your heating costs and fuel bill by an average of around £235 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
You can get a quote for a replacement boiler at our brand new Quoter site, HeatingQuoter.co.uk.
Announcing the scheme earlier today, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said “The boiler scrappage scheme will save around £200 off heating bills per year for families that are replacing their old boilers, and in total will save the same amount of carbon equivalent to taking around 45,000 cars off the road.”
You can find out more information on the scheme, and of course get quotes for a replacement boiler, at HeatingQuoter.co.uk. Even if your boiler isn’t eligible for the scrappage scheme we can help you with a rough guide price, and help you find local registered boiler suppliers and installers to carry out the work for you.
So head over to HeatingQuoter.co.uk today and check out the latest addition to the Home Improvement Quotes family.
Under the Solar Boiler Scrappage Scheme, if you are a homeowner or private tenant replacing a G-Rated or equivalent boiler you could be eligible for a grant of up to £400 to aid with the cost of having it replaced. The Government believe around 125,000 households will initially stand to benefit from the new scheme.
This £400 saving is in addition to efficiency savings which can reduce your heating costs and fuel bill by an average of around £235 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
You can get a quote for a replacement boiler at our brand new Quoter site, HeatingQuoter.co.uk.
Announcing the scheme earlier today, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said “The boiler scrappage scheme will save around £200 off heating bills per year for families that are replacing their old boilers, and in total will save the same amount of carbon equivalent to taking around 45,000 cars off the road.”
You can find out more information on the scheme, and of course get quotes for a replacement boiler, at HeatingQuoter.co.uk. Even if your boiler isn’t eligible for the scrappage scheme we can help you with a rough guide price, and help you find local registered boiler suppliers and installers to carry out the work for you.
So head over to HeatingQuoter.co.uk today and check out the latest addition to the Home Improvement Quotes family.
Revolutionary Tiny Solar Cells
Tiny, glitter-sized solar cells have been developed by the Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories. It might turn out to be the perfect alternative energy preference for the holiday season. This project is funded by the American government. The dimensions of the snowflake sized crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells are merely 14-20 micrometers thick and measure 0.25 to 1 millimeters across i.e. only 10% as thick as regular ones. They also consume an estimated 100 times less silicon to produce the same amount of electricity compared to standard solar cells. Their efficiency level is 14.9%.
The USP of the snowflake sized crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells is their size. Because of their infinitesimally small size, the glitter solar particles can be installed in a wide range of products needing energy. Another USP of the snowflake sized crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells is they have the capability to fit into any given pattern shape or size such as fabrics. So they will convert your clothes into solar power generators. If we ponder a bit and visualize these tiny, glitter-sized solar cells can turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they are fitted into clothing.
Because of their minuscule size they are also less prone to shading and heating effects. Their built-in tiny electrical contacts also make them sturdy and durable. Shade and heat often hinders the performance of larger solar cell performance. The sequin-like solar cell technology hopefully will soon appear on from high-tech items such as satellites to right on down to back-backers’ tents to help recharge electronics. If everything goes right these cells can revolutionize the way solar energy is used.
The USP of the snowflake sized crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells is their size. Because of their infinitesimally small size, the glitter solar particles can be installed in a wide range of products needing energy. Another USP of the snowflake sized crystalline-silicon photovoltaic cells is they have the capability to fit into any given pattern shape or size such as fabrics. So they will convert your clothes into solar power generators. If we ponder a bit and visualize these tiny, glitter-sized solar cells can turn a person into a walking solar battery charger if they are fitted into clothing.
Because of their minuscule size they are also less prone to shading and heating effects. Their built-in tiny electrical contacts also make them sturdy and durable. Shade and heat often hinders the performance of larger solar cell performance. The sequin-like solar cell technology hopefully will soon appear on from high-tech items such as satellites to right on down to back-backers’ tents to help recharge electronics. If everything goes right these cells can revolutionize the way solar energy is used.
Solar Air Heater for home and commercial heating
Solar Heating Air uses the solar radiation in a specific room with the heat from solar panels. There are many possibilities of solar hot air, and we can even build a house with the help of online resources. This is a kind of solar thermal power plant, where the heated air in a bin by the radiation of the sun and can be transferred directly in or on a storage bin as a rock.
The solar cells are used to operate these systems. Solar thermalthe air that is then transferred into a room. The key component of this system includes solar panels, a network of ducts and diffusers. The heated air can operate with or without fan. Without the fan distributes the air through the action of natural ventilation.
In agriculture, the food must be produced, sometimes kept in a warm, especially during the monsoon. The solar heating system works here. You can increase the temperature of the room so thattherefore heated. In this way, the products can continue to be safe and will not be spoiled, as the humidity.
The solar air heater works the same way as does a solar system. The water heater is outside the outdoor theater, so it can capture the sunlight. It is composed of solar cells, in general, but people use a variety of things. Some are equipped with aluminum cans and paint them black. Then they are placed on a plate and form a part. Plates orThe boxes must be drilled to connect with each other, so that air circulates through them. Therefore, the cold air moves through the piece cans and hot air enters the room leads to an increase in temperature.
In this way, the air solar heating is a very economical way to heat a room. Instead of requiring expensive heating systems, the quantity of electricity which is certainly a convenient solution.
The solar cells are used to operate these systems. Solar thermalthe air that is then transferred into a room. The key component of this system includes solar panels, a network of ducts and diffusers. The heated air can operate with or without fan. Without the fan distributes the air through the action of natural ventilation.
In agriculture, the food must be produced, sometimes kept in a warm, especially during the monsoon. The solar heating system works here. You can increase the temperature of the room so thattherefore heated. In this way, the products can continue to be safe and will not be spoiled, as the humidity.
The solar air heater works the same way as does a solar system. The water heater is outside the outdoor theater, so it can capture the sunlight. It is composed of solar cells, in general, but people use a variety of things. Some are equipped with aluminum cans and paint them black. Then they are placed on a plate and form a part. Plates orThe boxes must be drilled to connect with each other, so that air circulates through them. Therefore, the cold air moves through the piece cans and hot air enters the room leads to an increase in temperature.
In this way, the air solar heating is a very economical way to heat a room. Instead of requiring expensive heating systems, the quantity of electricity which is certainly a convenient solution.
Photovoltaic cells to power biological nanorobots inside the body
As the fields of bionanotechnologies develop, it will become possible one day to use biological nanodevices such as nanorobots for in situ and real-time in vivo diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of specific targets. A prerequisite for designing and constructing wireless biological nanorobots is the availability of an electrical source which can be made continuously available in the operational biological environment (i.e. the human body).
Several possible sources – temperature displacement, kinetic energy derived from blood flow, and chemical energy released from biological motors inside the body – have been designed to provide the electrical sources that can reliably operate in body (read: "Nanopiezotronics – a pathway to self-powering nanodevices").
Recently, the conversion of mechanical energy to electricity on the nanoscale has been successfully demonstrated by using acoustically actuated nanogenerators based on piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowires by Zhong Lin Wang's group (see: "Nanoscale power plants"). These nanogenerators can be used to drive many kinds of nanodevices, but their output powers needs to be further improved to meet the power requirement (at least 1 µW) of biological nanorobots.
Light-harvesting by photovoltaic cells has been conclusively demonstrated as an efficient way to create electricity, and many kinds of solar cells have been developed.
Unfortunately, these traditional solar cells cannot be used directly to power in vivo nanodevices because they mainly absorb visible and/or ultraviolet light – which is difficult to penetrate into biological tissues. On the other hand, light that can easily penetrate body tissue such as near infrared light in the wavelength range from 700 to 1000nm cannot be efficiently absorbed by conventional solar cells.
Several possible sources – temperature displacement, kinetic energy derived from blood flow, and chemical energy released from biological motors inside the body – have been designed to provide the electrical sources that can reliably operate in body (read: "Nanopiezotronics – a pathway to self-powering nanodevices").
Recently, the conversion of mechanical energy to electricity on the nanoscale has been successfully demonstrated by using acoustically actuated nanogenerators based on piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowires by Zhong Lin Wang's group (see: "Nanoscale power plants"). These nanogenerators can be used to drive many kinds of nanodevices, but their output powers needs to be further improved to meet the power requirement (at least 1 µW) of biological nanorobots.
Light-harvesting by photovoltaic cells has been conclusively demonstrated as an efficient way to create electricity, and many kinds of solar cells have been developed.
Unfortunately, these traditional solar cells cannot be used directly to power in vivo nanodevices because they mainly absorb visible and/or ultraviolet light – which is difficult to penetrate into biological tissues. On the other hand, light that can easily penetrate body tissue such as near infrared light in the wavelength range from 700 to 1000nm cannot be efficiently absorbed by conventional solar cells.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Cost Comparison For Solar Energy
Doing a cost comparison for solar power is so significant, particularly if you're one of many people who are up on the fence about this and who are actually undecided this is what you need to do. Learning why is solar power cost effective and why or you would need to use it for the maximum amount of your electricity desires as feasible, these are critical things that everybody should be conscious of, and that may be debated in more detail here.
Environmental Benefits
When doing a cost comparison for solar energy, the environmental benefits offered by solar energy are one of the first aspects that you should take seriously. Especially in the world that we live in today, where we are facing such extreme environmental issues such as global warming, there has never been a better time than now to take that step forward and make sure that you are doing a cost comparison for solar energy so that you can start utilizing it in your own life.
There are some huge environmental benefits that come from using solar energy rather than regular electricity, but namely you know that you are not going to be polluting the air and so you are doing your part for the environment.
Savings for You
One of the biggest reasons that people are making the switch to solar energy is because they are fed up with the amount of money that they are having to shell out every month for their electricity bill. This is not surprising when you figure that even for a small home, typically the electricity bill is upwards of two hundred dollars each and every month.
Well when you are doing a cost comparison for solar energy, you are going to want to factor in that you could spend less than two hundred dollars to set up a solar energy system at your home, and after that you will not have any electricity bills to pay. Sounds too good to be true, well this is one thing that is actually true and to do a cost comparison for solar energy you will be able to work with your budget and actually see the amazing savings that you are going to get.
The money spent at first to get the solar power system kit is going to above pay itself off in the final analysis and is easily worth getting.
Environmental Benefits
When doing a cost comparison for solar energy, the environmental benefits offered by solar energy are one of the first aspects that you should take seriously. Especially in the world that we live in today, where we are facing such extreme environmental issues such as global warming, there has never been a better time than now to take that step forward and make sure that you are doing a cost comparison for solar energy so that you can start utilizing it in your own life.
There are some huge environmental benefits that come from using solar energy rather than regular electricity, but namely you know that you are not going to be polluting the air and so you are doing your part for the environment.
Savings for You
One of the biggest reasons that people are making the switch to solar energy is because they are fed up with the amount of money that they are having to shell out every month for their electricity bill. This is not surprising when you figure that even for a small home, typically the electricity bill is upwards of two hundred dollars each and every month.
Well when you are doing a cost comparison for solar energy, you are going to want to factor in that you could spend less than two hundred dollars to set up a solar energy system at your home, and after that you will not have any electricity bills to pay. Sounds too good to be true, well this is one thing that is actually true and to do a cost comparison for solar energy you will be able to work with your budget and actually see the amazing savings that you are going to get.
The money spent at first to get the solar power system kit is going to above pay itself off in the final analysis and is easily worth getting.
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