Hopewell Junction, NY – June 1, 2010 – SpectraWatt, a manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon photovoltaic cells to the solar industry, today announced that they are the recipients of a research grant from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program of National Science Foundation (NSF).
“We’d like to thank the National Science Foundation for awarding this research funding to SpectraWatt,” said Andrew Wilson, CEO, SpectraWatt. “Its support of our technology roadmap paired with our experienced research team provides a great opportunity to advance solar technology in the US. We are honored to receive this grant from the NSF.”
The grant, which totals nearly $150,000, will support Phase 1 of a project focused on achieving panel efficiencies of over 20 percent based on a combination of multicrystalline silicon and other materials. The project will be conducted in the second half of 2010 at the company’s research facility in Hillsboro, Oregon and overseen by Dr. Juanita Kurtin, director of R&D, SpectraWatt.
“SpectraWatt’s successful application to the National Science Foundation’s SBIR program means that more federal research dollars are coming home to Oregon,” said Congressman David Wu (D-1st District). “SpectraWatt is part of Oregon’s growing solar industry and a welcome addition to our local economy. I am currently working to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs to ensure that the federal government encourages innovative research for many years to come.”
About SpectraWatt
SpectraWatt, a manufacturer and supplier of photovoltaic cells for the solar industry, focuses on advancing solar energy technologies. The company aims to improve current manufacturing processes and capabilities to reduce the cost of photovoltaic energy generation. Spun out of Intel Corporation in June 2008, investors include Intel Capital, Goldman Sachs, PCG Clean Energy and Technology Fund and Solon SE. SpectraWatt is headquartered in Hopewell Junction, New York with additional R&D facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon. For more information, please visit www.spectrawatt.com.