What does Semprius do? Semprius can build highly concentrated photovoltaic modules that combine tiny solar cells with low-cost, efficient optics to concentrate sunlight and multiply it more than 1,000 times. The solar cells are about the diameter of a dot made by a ballpoint pen. The company recently set a new world record for photovoltaic module efficiency, reaching 33.9 percent (active area), according to industry experts. “This is a significant milestone for Semprius and the entire PV industry,” said Scott Burroughs, vice president of Technology at Semprius. “For the first time, we have been able to convert more than one-third of the sun’s energy into usable electricity. This demonstrates how concentrated PV can leverage rapidly increasing efficiencies to continue driving down the cost of solar generated electricity.” “This is the culmination of our emphasis on bringing smart design to solar,” said Joe Carr, president/CEO of Semprius. “We looked carefully at each component of our module – cell, optics, enclosure and the manufacturing process – to develop a competitive solution that embodies high efficiency, performance and reliability.”
Semprius joins Xerox, formerly known as ACS, at Triangle North Vance off Interstate 85.
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and those jobs will be filled primarily from the local job market. Shortly before the announcement of the move to Vance, Semprius got a huge boost when industry giant Siemens acquired a stake in the company in June 2011. For Siemens, it was an early access to a highly promising technology for CO2free
power generation from solar energy. “Siemens will act as a strategic investor to help Semprius scale up its innovative technology to market maturity,” said Martin Schulz, vice president of photovoltaics in the Renewable Energy Division of Siemens. “The demand for Semprius products has tripled since the partnership with Siemens,” observed Bill Edwards, who See SEMPRIUS on Page 12
Semprius looks to drive down the cost of solar generated power. ISION ance V
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