In total, the firm has raised $37.5 million. 1366′s fundraising efforts include a $4 million grant from the Department of Energy, which was issued in 2009.
1366 Technologies business is centered around their so-called “Direct Wafer” technology, a manufacturing process that efficiently reduces silicon waste (and expense) by using molten silicon — from which they can directly create multi-crystalline wafers from. More traditional methods often require several steps, including sawing and ingot casting, during which as much as 50% of silicon material can be lost.
“During the past two years, we have kept our cash position strong and focused on solving the key manufacturing challenges in silicon photovoltaic…Now, with this investment, we’re moving towards manufacturing. Our goal is to bring our transformative Direct Wafer technology into production,” 1366′s CEO Frank van Mierlo said in a statement.
Here’s more info on the proceess:
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Authors: Evelyn Rusli