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- Solar energy demand has grown at about 30% per annum over the past 15 years. (Hydrocarbon energy demand typically grows between 0-2% per annum).
- The US market showed 57% growth in 2007. Japan’s market reached 230MW, a marginal increase from 2006.
- Japan has taken over from the United States as the largest net exporter of PV cells and modules.
- Japan accounted for 39% of total global cell production in 2006
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December 02, 2008
Sencera Demonstrates 7% Efficient Thin-Film Silicon Solar Cells – Receives Additional $5.2 Million Equity Investment
Dr. Russell Jewett,
CEO & President
Sencera International Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina. Sencera, a developer of photovoltaic modules and thin film solar panel systems, has successfully deposited single-junction silicon solar cells with 7% sunlight to electricity conversion efficiencies under standard test conditions. The Company achieved the result utilizing a repeatable, fully automated process on The Viper™, its proprietary Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) manufacturing platform. Cell performance was independently measured and confirmed by The University of Delaware’s Institute of Energy Conversion, designated a University Center of Excellence for Photovoltaic Research and Education by the Department of Energy and The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
“The combination of 7% efficient thin-film single-junction silicon cells and Sencera’s low capital cost Viper™ PECVD platform positions the company well from an economic perspective. The efficiency target was a critical milestone that demonstrates the viability of the Viper™ manufacturing platform for low cost solar panel production,“ stated CEO Dr. Rusty Jewett.
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Sencera’s 7% conversion efficiency milestone triggered an additional $5.2 million equity investment by The Quercus Trust and Michael Draper of Equinox Securities, Sencera’s largest Investor. According to Britt Weaver, Sencera's CFO, “Proceeds will be utilized to further accelerate the development of second generation tandem amorphous / microcrystalline solar cells with expected conversion efficiencies greater than 10%. Sencera is also in the process of raising additional capital in order to fully fund its first 35-Megawatt module factory in Charlotte, NC.”
Sencera was founded in 2003 as a plasma hardware company focused on the thin film transistor and integrated circuit industries. In 2006, The Company shifted focus to the emerging thin film solar energy industry. The following year, Sencera introduced The Viper™ PECVD manufacturing platform. The Company plans to use its Viper™ production platform to produce thin film photovoltaic modules in its factory in Charlotte, NC. |
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For More Information Contact:
Britt Weaver, CFO
704.393.1951 |
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