Suniva ARTisun solar cells surpass 18 percent efficiency in production

NORCROSS, USA: Suniva Inc., the only US manufacturer of high-power monocrystalline silicon solar cells, announced that its ARTisun series solar cells are achieving conversion efficiencies of more than 18 percent in production, a record for screen- printed cells in regular full-scale production.

“Customers are expecting high-quality, high-efficiency products at lower costs,” said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. “Suniva continues to lead these market requirements, delivering cells, and modules from our partners, that strike a sensible balance of power and affordability.”

Suniva’s ARTisun series solar cells are manufactured with optimized metallization techniques and proprietary process innovations, both of which maintain low cost while extracting the highest efficiencies possible. Suniva produces solar cells which are integrated into high-performance solar modules available through Suniva and its global customer partners.

Suniva also announced the start of production on its second manufacturing line at the Norcross plant. The new 64MWp line will triple the production capacity of the facility to approximately 100MWp.

“Our strategy supports both rapid expansion and continual technology advances,” said Baumstark. “Less than a year ago, we opened the doors to our first facility. Today, we have entered our next stage of growth and development with a significant manufacturing expansion.”

Through processes initiated by Suniva founder and CTO, Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, and further developed in Suniva’s R&D lab, the company has achieved certified efficiencies of more than 20 percent on screen-printed cells in the lab (certified by NREL). Suniva plans to steadily raise its commercial cell efficiencies above 20 percent through a series of incremental design and processing innovations.

“Suniva has a strong technology and market advantage because our patent portfolio is based on laboratory innovations that we can translate into cost-efficient manufacturing processes,” said Rohatgi.

Suniva raises $75mn in series C funding round

NORCROSS, USA: Suniva Inc., a manufacturer of high value monocrystalline silicon solar cells, announced the completion of a $75 million Series C financing round, led by Warburg Pincus, a leading global private equity firm.

Also participating in the round were APEX Venture Partners and returning investors New Enterprise Associates (NEA), HIG Ventures and Advanced Equities.

"Most solar is undifferentiated," said Chansoo Joung, a managing director at Warburg Pincus, "That's not the case with Suniva. Their cell design and roadmap for commercialization is extremely compelling and represents a unique value proposition for customers."

Suniva’s high-quality monocrystalline solar cells incorporate multiple proprietary design elements that allow them to achieve best-in-class efficiencies. Additionally, Suniva reduces the time and cost associated with commercializing new solar technology by developing its innovative designs in incremental stages. Suniva currently manufactures ARTisun series solar cells with conversion efficiencies above 18 percent, while being manufactured with low-cost, high-throughput techniques.

Joung added: "Warburg Pincus seeks out businesses that have an important role to play both in the near and long term. As the solar industry grows, Suniva is well positioned, delivering the leading combination of high efficiency and low-cost manufacturing."

In October 2008, Suniva completed the installation of its first manufacturing line and began production of its first-generation solar cells, marking one of the fastest production ramp-ups to date in solar manufacturing. Keeping pace, Suniva will complete the installation of its second, 64 MW manufacturing line in its Norcross facility this summer.

"In a year when most companies lowered their expectations, the investment community recognized Suniva's ability to execute," said John Baumstark, CEO of Suniva. "Our technology delivers the performance, cost and quality needed for solar’s next phase of growth. With this funding round, we will continue to execute on our business plan as we move into promising solar markets here in the US and worldwide."

Warburg Pincus managing directors Chansoo Joung and Dr. Henry Kressel will join Suniva’s board of directors alongside current board members PM Pai, former COO of SunPower; Dr. Kedar Gupta, GT Solar founder and former CEO, and NEA partners Harry Weller, Ravi Viswanathan and Jon Sakoda. Also on the board are Suniva founder and CTO Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, recent recipient of the 2009 EPA Climate Protection Award, and Suniva CEO, John Baumstark.