News Article
Applied Materials strengthens solar developments
Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital fund of Applied Materials, has announced that it has invested $3.0 million in Solaicx, a private manufacturer of single-crystal silicon wafers for the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.
Solaicx plans to use the investment to expand its business with a second U.S. manufacturing site, scheduled for 2007 operation. Solaicx's technology is based on proprietary, continuous Czochralski (CZ) crystal growing methodology that enables the high-volume manufacturing of cost-effective, high-quality ingots for
conversion into solar wafers. The Solaicx crystal growing equipment is suggested to be up to five times more productive than traditional CZ systems that were designed primarily for the semiconductor 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."
The Solaicx management team includes Bob Ford, president and CEO, Bill Yerkes, chief technical officer and solar industry pioneer, and John Sedgwick, vice president and co-founder. Michele Klein, an investment manager with Applied Ventures, will join the Solaicx board as an observer.
"Having Applied Materials as an investor and a willing resource as we execute our manufacturing expansion is extraordinarily valuable," said Bob Ford. "Solaicx plans
to use Applied Materials' equipment and manufacturing expertise to assist in fully capitalizing on our market opportunities."
Solaicx manufacturers silicon wafers for the photovoltaic industry with proprietary equipment optimized for the high-volume, continuous manufacture of high-performance, single crystal silicon ingots. This technology provides cost and quality advantages that can be passed through the value chain of silicon-based solar cell manufacturing.
conversion into solar wafers. The Solaicx crystal growing equipment is suggested to be up to five times more productive than traditional CZ systems that were designed primarily for the semiconductor 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."
The Solaicx management team includes Bob Ford, president and CEO, Bill Yerkes, chief technical officer and solar industry pioneer, and John Sedgwick, vice president and co-founder. Michele Klein, an investment manager with Applied Ventures, will join the Solaicx board as an observer.
"Having Applied Materials as an investor and a willing resource as we execute our manufacturing expansion is extraordinarily valuable," said Bob Ford. "Solaicx plans
to use Applied Materials' equipment and manufacturing expertise to assist in fully capitalizing on our market opportunities."
Solaicx manufacturers silicon wafers for the photovoltaic industry with proprietary equipment optimized for the high-volume, continuous manufacture of high-performance, single crystal silicon ingots. This technology provides cost and quality advantages that can be passed through the value chain of silicon-based solar cell manufacturing.
