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Sencera has announced that it has successfully demonstrated silicon solar cells with 7% sunlight to electricity conversion efficiencies using a repeatable fully automated process on its proprietary Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition manufacturing platform, The Viper. The findings were confirmed by The University of Delaware’s Institute of Energy Conversion.

“The combination of 7% efficient thin-film single-junction silicon cells and Sencera's low capital cost Viper(TM) PECVD platform positions the company well from an economic perspective. The efficiency target was a critical milestone that demonstrates the viability of the Viper manufacturing platform for low cost solar panel production," stated Sencera CEO Dr. Rusty Jewett.

Due to the company’s achievement, The Quercus Trust and Michael Draper of Equinox Securities invested an additional $5.2 million in equity. According to Britt Weaver, Sencera's CFO, "Proceeds will be utilized to further accelerate the development of second generation tandem amorphous / microcrystalline solar cells with expected conversion efficiencies greater than 10%. Sencera is also in the process of raising additional capital in order to fully fund its first 35MW module factory in Charlotte, NC."