Spire Gets NREL Approval to Begin Phase II of Concentrator Solar Cell Contract
Source/Type: Reported News

Author: CompoundSemi News Staff

January 13, 2010... Spire Corporation, a provider of turnkey solar production lines reports that its wholly owned subsidiary, Spire Semiconductor, LLC, has successfully completed Phase I of its High Efficiency Concentrator Solar Cell program with the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The NREL reportedly authorized Spire Semiconductor to begin Phase II of the program. . Phase II involves an 18-month, $3.7 million cost share subcontract in which Spire Semiconductor is developing technology to cost-effectively manufacture 42% efficient, 500 sun, concentrator solar cells for concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems.

Spire Semiconductor passed through the NREL Stage Gate Review, a go/no go decision point to validate the progression of the project and assure that progress meets contract objectives. Performance parameters such as competitive levelized cost of energy (LCOE); annual manufacturing capacity potential; direct manufacturing cost; and cell mean time between failure (MTBF) had to meet project objectives for Phase I. PV cell performances of greater than 39% efficiency was achieved during Phase I.

“We are very happy to be given the go ahead with our program,” said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. “It validates our efforts toward developing a proprietary gallium arsenide (GaAs) concentrator solar cell that exceeds anything commercially available.” Mr. Little added, “With Spire’s strong position in the solar industry, the availability of our custom GaAs concentrator will put us in a good position to help our customers meet this market demand.” Spire News Release

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