SUNPATH Award to Expand CPV Cell Manufacturing in the US
SAN JOSE, Calif., April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — Solar Junction, a developer of high efficiency multi-junction solar cells for the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market, announces a SUNPATH award from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of a $21.5 million program to increase its CPV cell manufacturing capacity. Through this program, Solar Junction is targeting a median cell efficiency of 42% on 150mm substrates. These factors will make a substantial impact on reducing CPV’s $/W module costs by driving down the cost of the cell, while increasing the CPV module power output with increased cell efficiency.
“It is an honor to be in such a select pool of SUNPATH awardees through the SunShot program,” said Jim Weldon, CEO of Solar Junction. “This allows Solar Junction to move into the next phase of commercialization and will allow for a path to volume manufacturing.”
SUNPATH, Scaling Up Nascent PV at Home, falls under the Department of Energy’s SunShot Program. This program aims to increase PV manufacturing in the U.S. through investments in technologies that are sustainable with competitive cost and high performance. SunShot investments are designed to help achieve $1/W by 2020.
Solar Junction announced in February a $19.2 million round, as well as an exclusive manufacturing agreement with IQE. Coupled with the SunPath award, Solar Junction is on the path to high volume manufacturing of its proprietary adjustable spectrum latticed matched (A-SLAM™) cell.
About Solar Junction
Solar Junction is a manufacturer of high efficiency III-V multi-junction solar cells based on ASLAM™ materials. The company is dedicated to providing the industry’s highest efficiency solar cells to enable CPV as a cost effective energy solution. Founded in 2007, Solar Junction is headquartered in San Jose, California. Investors include New Enterprise Associates, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Advanced Technology Ventures. For more information, please visit www.sj-solar.com
