news digest ♦ Solar
comprehensive photovoltaic (PV) system solutions. The company is delivering an economically viable alternative to fossil-fuel generation today. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost- effective, renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.
RayTracker was founded to meet the need for robust, reliable, and cost-effective solar trackers, as well as for software and hardware to enable the lowest cost design, installation and operation of solar PV plants. The company’s team includes experts in solar technology innovation, reliability engineering, advanced PV system modeling, software engineering, product development, and high-volume manufacturing.
RayTracker is backed by Idealab, The Quercus Trust and Phoenix Fire IV, LLC, whose manager, Richard Klein, owns and operates Quixotic Systems.
Idealab’s mission is to create and operate pioneering technology companies. Founded in 1996 by entrepreneur Bill Gross, Idealab provides a broad range of operational support to its companies, allowing the operating company management teams to focus on getting to market quickly and cost effectively.
Stion To Build 100 MW Solar Facility in Mississippi
The thin-film production line in Hattiesburg will use more than $500 million of investment up to 2017 and is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in that time.
Stion, a manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film solar panels, will build a new production facility in Mississippi as part of an incentive agreement with the state that includes a $75 million loan and other tax and training incentives.
The project, which will be the first thin-film solar panel factory in Mississippi, will deliver more than 1,000 jobs and $500 million of investment over the next six years.
The first phase of the project includes a 100 MW 132
www.compoundsemiconductor.net January / February 2011
line planned for Hattiesburg, Miss., which will entail more than $100 million of investment and 200 direct jobs in 2011 and 2012.
“Today’s announcement that Stion is locating a thin- film solar panel manufacturing facility in Hattiesburg is further proof that Mississippi is an ideal location for clean energy companies to locate and expand,” Governor Haley Barbour said. “I am pleased to welcome Stion to Mississippi, and I thank the company for creating so many high-quality jobs for Mississippi’s workers.”
“Together, the state of Mississippi, Forrest County, and the city of Hattiesburg offer a business- friendly location with a strong resource base for manufacturing,” said Chet Farris, Stion’s President and CEO. “In partnering with them, we are pleased to help address this country’s energy needs with clean technology, and support the region’s and the nation’s economy.”
Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Stion is producing high-efficiency, thin-film solar panels using monolithically integrated circuits. Stion’s panels have a convenient form factor (65 cm x 165 cm) and are specifically designed for use in all major market segments, including commercial/ government, residential, utility and off-grid.
In June 2010, Stion closed a $70M Series D financing to help scale production which included a partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC), one of the world’s largest semiconductor foundry.
“Our expansion in Hattiesburg is an integral part of our capital-efficient scale-up plan,” said Farris. “The cost and time-to-market advantage of building here will provide a significant competitive advantage.”
Stion is a US-based manufacturer of high-efficiency thin-film solar panels based on state-of-the-art materials and device technology and proven production processes. Stion was founded in 2006 and is backed by leading venture capital investors, including Khosla Ventures, VentureTech Alliance, Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst Partners, and Braemar Energy Ventures.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176