CubicPV, backed by $26 million in new funding, introduced plans to fabricate silicon wafers in the USA, filling a important hole within the US photo voltaic provide chain.
From pv journal USA
CubicPV introduced plans to construct 10 GW of standard mono wafer capability in the USA. Due to Inflation Discount Act incentives, the wafers produced on the new facility may fill a void within the home provide chain, whereas additionally creating 1,500 new direct jobs.
“The IRA represents a titanic shift within the international photo voltaic panorama, and the US is poised to change into essentially the most aggressive location on the planet for photo voltaic manufacturing,” stated Frank van Mierlo, CEO of CubicPV. “We’re excited to play a task within the US manufacturing renaissance whereas accelerating our marketing strategy and supporting the event of our next-generation tandem module expertise.”
CubicPV was shaped final yr from the merger of 1366 Applied sciences and Hunt Perovskite Applied sciences. 1366 Applied sciences is thought for its direct wafer expertise, which kinds wafers instantly with molten silicon. The benefit is that kerf-free wafer manufacturing doesn’t require silicon ingots to be sawn into wafers – a time-consuming course of that wastes supplies resembling silicon mud. As an alternative, the corporate’s expertise kinds wafers instantly, utilizing molten silicon.
Texas-based Hunt Perovskite Applied sciences, based in 2013, focuses on metallic halide perovskite in single-junction photo voltaic panels for the utility-scale market. The merger subsequently resulted in a brand new manufacturing course of that mixes the 1366 direct wafer course of and Hunt’s printed perovskite photo voltaic photovoltaic expertise.
Whereas CubicPV reported that its new manufacturing unit will produce standard silicon wafers, it stated it should proceed to analysis and develop its tandem modules, which reportedly supply greater than 30% higher effectivity than the very best that are environment friendly standard modules. The design stacks two photo voltaic cells, with silicon on the underside, powered by CubicPV’s Direct Wafer expertise and perovskite on high, to “dramatically improve energy per acre of photo voltaic deployed,” in response to the corporate.
CubicPV has not but chosen a website for the US facility, however stated design has already begun. It expects to finish website choice within the first quarter of 2023. Building is predicted to be accomplished in 2024, with the manufacturing unit totally ramped up in 2025.
“The Photo voltaic Vitality Producers for America (SEMA) Coalition commends CubicPV for bringing the primary global-scale wafer manufacturing facility to the USA,” stated Mike Carr, the chief director of the Photo voltaic Vitality Producers for America (SEMA) Coalition. “Their deliberate 10 GW facility to fabricate standard mono wafers will function a significant catalyst in our efforts to create a totally American photo voltaic provide chain.”
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