Solar ♦ news digest
EpiGaN starts production of gallium nitride epitaxial material
The new production site of EpiGaN officially opened today in the presence of Flemish Minister Mrs Ingrid Lieten and Limburg Governor Mr Herman Reynders. The company selected the Research Campus Hasselt as the ideal location for the volume production of their gallium nitrid- on-silicon epitaxial material.
EpiGaN is one of the key players in GaN-on- Silicon materials technology. The firm says GaN- on-Silicon will enable a new generation of power electronics, with performance far beyond current silicon technology. This material system will ensure more efficient energy use in power convertors, better power supplies for computers, motor drivers, inverters for solar energy technologies and greener transport with a smaller environmental footprint. EpiGaN is currently offering GaN epitaxial layers deposited either on silicon up to 150 mm or, for specific applications, on SiC. Wafer diameters of 200mm are under development. The availability of large wafers which can be processed in existing silicon CMOS fabs partly explains how GaN-on- silicon technology combines affordability with great performance.
Today EpiGaN is officially opening its production unit at the Research Campus Hasselt (RCH), located within the knowledge triangle Eindhoven- Leuven-Aachen. EpiGaN found there the necessary framework for installing its cleanroom facilities as required for the production of GaN-on-Silicon, while the location in the heart of Europe allows for establishing their business on an international level. Today, EpiGaN employs 6 people and is currently hiring more engineers and sales personnel to support its growing production effort. Last year, EpiGaN sampled its first wafers to Europe, US and Asia.
The company is now takinga new step in ramping up its capacity. “We are very happy that the current installation will allow us to better serve our customers and new-comers in the field of GaN- on-Silicon market for electronics”, says Marianne Germain, CEO EpiGaN. “This is right at the time that device manufacturers are looking for getting access to this new technology, key for their future applications.” Ingrid Lieten, Vice Minister-President of the Flemish Government, adds, “EpiGaN is an
outstanding example of what a strategic research institute can and must encompass: Imec has developed an innovative and state-of-the-art technology, the applications of which can lead to the solution of important challenges for society such as the energy issue and mobility. This technology has been transferred to EpiGaN. Moreover, this spin-off has a beneficial effect on employment.” About EpiGaN EpiGaN was incorporated in 2010 by Marianne Germain, CEO, Joff Derluyn, CTO, and Stefan Degroote, COO, as a spin-off from imec. In 2011, the company was joined in its venture by a strong consortium of investors, formed by Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Capricorn CleanTech Fund and LRM, enabling the installation of a new production facility. EpiGaN focuses on providing III-nitride epitaxial material solutions for top performance devices. The firm gives device manufacturers access to technology used in market segments such as power supplies for consumables, hybrid electric vehicles, solar inverters, RF power for base stations and smart grid.
First CdTe solar panel installed on world`s largest solar project
First Solar cadmium telluride modules are being installed at the Topaz solar farm and will create 400 construction jobs during its three-year construction period
Less than two weeks after an official ceremony, MidAmerican Solar and First Solar marked another milestone at Topaz Solar Farms, located in San Luis Obispo County, California. On Wednesday, the first solar panel was installed on what is claimed to be the largest solar project under construction in the world. When complete, the 550-MW AC project will include nearly 9 million CdTe photovoltaic panels. To mark the event, the first solar panel was installed by Greg Abel, chairman, president and CEO of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, and Walter Scott, Jr., who serves on the boards of directors for Berkshire Hathaway and MidAmerican.
“The installation of this first solar panel is more than symbolic,” says Paul Caudill, president of MidAmerican Solar. “It represents nearly five months of hard construction work put in by a dedicated crew of crafts persons and on-site
June 2012
www.compoundsemiconductor.net 79
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