Solexant Corp., developer of ultrathin-film solar cells, has selected the city of Gresham, Oregon for the location of its first commercial-scale manufacturing facility.
Upon completion, the 100-megawatts (MW) plant will be Oregon’s first thin film solar manufacturing facility and one of the largest of its type in the world. Solexant expects to receive a $25 million SELP loan from the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE). This would be the largest loan bestowed in the 30-year history of the state energy loan program, according to a company release.
Originally developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) by Dr.
Paul Alivisatos and his team, Solexant’s printable nanocrystal
technology platform can produce flexible thin film solar cells using a
variety of materials. For its initial commercial offering, the company
will produce cadmium-telluride cells, using a proprietary roll-to-roll
manufacturing process.
Along with an $18.75 million Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) from
ODOE, a $25 million loan from the State of Oregon Energy Loan Program
and the $64 million in equity funding Solexant has raised to date, the
company says it will have adequate funds to bring the plant to full capacity. The factory will initially be housed
in an existing 100,000 to 150,000 sq foot facility in Gresham with plans
to construct the new manufacturing line in 2011.
Solexant plans to build additional 100MW lines in Gresham after the
first line becomes operational.
“We are pleased to welcome Solexant to Oregon, North America’s leading
solar manufacturing center,” said Governor Kulongoski. “This investment
will mean jobs immediately for Oregonians with the promise of more in
the future. In addition, this company brings a new technological facet
to Oregon’s already booming solar manufacturing base and will help us
continue to be a global leader in solar manufacturing.”
Last month, Solexant announced the $41.5 million first close of a Series C financing round following the successful completion of a 2MW pilot line operating at the company’s headquarters in San Jose, CA.
