Applied Materials invests in solar wafer producer

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Applied Materials, Inc., via its venture capital fund, Applied Ventures, LLC has invested $3.0 million US dollars in Solaicx, a privately owned manufacturer of single-crystal silicon wafers specifically designed for the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.  “Our investment in Solaicx aligns well with Applied Materials’ solar strategy and enables Applied to expand its presence in the solar value chain,” said J. Christopher Moran, vice president and general manager of Applied Ventures. “Applied is committed to providing the solar industry with technology and process innovations to reduce the cost per watt of solar power. Solaicx meets these requirements – offering improved manufacturing technology to facilitate the streamlined manufacturing of solar cell wafers.”

Solaicx has developed a unique continuous Czochralski (CZ) crystal-growing technology that is claimed to be 5 times more productive than traditional CZ crystal growers used for semiconductor wafer applications and therefore reduces the costs of PV grade wafers.

“Solaicx plans to use Applied Materials’ equipment and manufacturing expertise to assist in fully capitalizing on our market opportunities,” stated Bob Ford, president and CEO of Solaicx.

The invested money is earmarked for a new wafer growing facility scheduled for production start sometime in 2007.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Read Next

June 28, 2024
Green hydrogen production could give solar PV deployment a boost in Southern Europe, writes Aurora Energy Research research lead expert of Southeastern Europe Panos Kefalas.
June 28, 2024
New South Wales, Australia, has received planning approval for the Central-West Orana REZ transmission project.
June 28, 2024
Townsville, Queensland, will be the latest local renewable energy zone (LREZ) in Australia as the state expands its solar PV capabilities.
June 28, 2024
AEMC has published a ‘final rule’ claiming it will “create a more clear and pragmatic grid connection process” and aid solar deployment.
Sponsored
June 27, 2024
PV Tech spoke with Moses Zhang, vice president of Chinese solar manufacturing company Akcome Technology.
June 27, 2024
PV Tech spoke with Alejandra Pérez-Plá, regional manager – Mediterranean at financial advisory firm Global Capital Finance about challenges related to land acquisition for utility-scale solar PV projects in Southern Europe, how to manage these issues and grid modernisation.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
July 2, 2024
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
July 9, 2024
Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore
Upcoming Webinars
July 10, 2024
9am (BST) / 10am (CEST)
Solar Media Events
September 24, 2024
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
September 24, 2024
Singapore, Asia