Semprius To Open Its First Solar Module Production Facility

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Semprius, Inc., an innovator in high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) solar modules, will officially open its first production facility on Sept. 26 in Henderson, N.C. North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue, North Carolina Representative James Crawford and Semprius CEO Joe Carr will deliver remarks during the opening ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

The new facility uses a proprietary manufacturing process to produce the world’s highest efficiency solar modules. At 33.9 percent conversion efficiency, Semprius’ modules are the first to convert more than one-third of the sun’s energy into electricity.

“The highly anticipated opening of this new facility has significant implications for the future of renewable energy,” said Carr. “It’s a major milestone for Semprius, and we’re very proud of our team and our public and private partners that have helped us bring it in on time and on budget. With production ramped up, we will be able to effectively service our customers, including companies like Siemens and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.”

Semprius plans to hire more than 250 employees over the next several years. In the last 15 months, Semprius raised almost $40 million in funding from equity investors including ARCH Venture Partners, Illinois Ventures, Intersouth Partners, In-Q-Tel, Morgan Creek Capital Management and Siemens Venture Capital. In addition, Semprius was awarded North Carolina and Vance County incentives totaling almost $8 million.

“The opening of Semprius’ solar manufacturing plant in Henderson further strengthens North Carolina’s leadership in clean technology and sustainability,” said Governor Perdue. “We congratulate Semprius on all of their successes thus far and look forward to their continued growth – and with it, new high tech jobs for the highly skilled North Carolina workforce.”

Developed with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Semprius’ proprietary micro-transfer printing process enables the use of the world’s smallest solar cell – approximately the size of a pencil point – to manufacture modules with unmatched performance and cost advantages. Compared with conventional silicon-based modules, Semprius’ modules are twice as efficient, offer consistent energy output and superior energy yields while performing much better in hot climates.

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About Semprius

Semprius, Inc. holds the world record for solar module efficiency, reaching 33.9 percent. Using the world’s smallest solar cells and applying state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, Semprius is leading the way to cost-competitive, sustainable solar electricity. Semprius was named to MIT Technology Review’s 2012 TR10, an annual list of the world’s 10 most important emerging technologies. Semprius’ headquarters and production facilities are located in North Carolina, USA. For more information, please visit www.semprius.com.

OPEL International and Partner Complete Phase One of Commercial HCPV Installation

SHELTON, CONNECTICUT and TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 7, 2009) - OPEL International Inc., (TSX VENTURE:OPL), a leading global developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") and other solar products, including ground-based and rooftop tracker systems, and its Spanish partner, BETASOL, today announced that the first phase of a four-phase, 440 kilowatt (kW) utility grade solar photovoltaic power plant has been completed in Spain. This initial phase, which is generating 110 kW, represents one of the first HCPV installations supplying commercial electricity to the power grid and is already generating revenue for BETASOL.

OPEL built this installation with its Mk-I high concentration panels (HCPVs) mounted on dual axis trackers. The balance of the installation is expected to be done during the third quarter of 2009. When the project is fully completed, it will supply electricity to over 350 households.

OPEL's partner, BETASOL, a Spanish company, specializes in building utility grade solar farm installations and their subsequent sale to investor groups. Solar farms are a collection of solar panels mounted on trackers that convert solar energy into electricity. This utility grade solar farm is located in the Province of Tarragona in Spain, a prime area for solar deployments.

"The successful completion of the initial 110 kW phase of this HCPV system represents one of the first commercial grade installations using HCPV technology generating revenue in Spain, and we view it as a continued expansion of OPEL's leading edge solar concentrating technology," said Robert Pico, CEO of OPEL International.

"We are excited about the operational completion of this HCPV solar power plant, which is now delivering electricity to the power grid in Spain, and we are pleased to share this success with our partner, BETASOL," Pico added. "This installation has attracted great interest of potential customers in both Europe and Africa. Our HCPV technology promises to deliver cost effective solar generated power to many markets across Europe and Africa."

"We at BETASOL are very pleased to have this project now providing renewable solar electricity to the power grid using HCPV, one of the advanced solar technologies in the world today," said Jesus Cabetas, Managing Director of BETASOL. "Our partnership with OPEL using its HCPV panels greatly improved the system's efficiency, thus making the rate of return provided by the Spanish feed-in tariff structure even more attractive to investors."

"OPEL's Mk-I HCPV panel design is a cost competitive solution concentrating light from the sun more than 500 times on to very high efficiency multi junction solar cells," said Frank Middleton, Vice President of Marketing for OPEL International. "This product has conversion efficiencies up to twice those of silicon solar panels and more than three times that of thin film solar panels, making it an optimum solution, especially in sunny climates such as the Mediterranean basin and the South Western United States."

OPEL will continue to report on its progress with this leading solar technology as it completes the other phases of this project.