Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Nat Semi plans big push into solar energy (NSM)

From Reuters:

Microchip maker National Semiconductor Corp, best known for making parts for the iPhone and other wireless devices, plans to jump into solar by unveiling chips that will boost solar panel efficiency.

Alternative energy such as solar power is hot in Silicon Valley, where funding for new ideas is available and technology companies are finding their products adaptable to the new market.

So far National Semiconductor has no solar business. But Chief Executive Brian Halla told the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit in New York that he dreamed of solar accounting for a quarter of the company's revenue....MORE