Arise meets another milestone for solar PV polysilicon feedstock pilot plant

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Arise Technologies’ solar PV silicon division has met the fourth major milestone for its polysilicon feedstock pilot plant project. The Canadian company said that it has finished the initial construction phase of the plant and that the pilot plant-scale silicon refining furnace, manufactured by Ebner Industrieofenbau, has also been completed and is operational.

The project’s goal is the development of a new approach to refine high-purity silicon needed for high-efficiency photovoltaic cells, a proprietary process intended to produce 7N+ high-purity (99.99999 percent) silicon for PV applications using a simplified CVD process.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Arise said it met the first project milestone with the August 2007 commissioning of the SIRF 3.1, the second milestone when the mini pilot plant became operational and successfully produced polysilicon in December 2007, and the third milestone in May 2008 when the company achieved specific process economics, scalability, and quality objectives at the mini pilot plant.

“We have completed all the engineering planning required for the new 68,000-square-foot pilot plant in Kitchener, ON,” said Bart Tichelman, Arise’s president/CEO. “The retrofitting of the existing building to suit our needs is under way and on schedule. As previously announced, we are planning that the pilot plant will have a production capacity of 50 tons per year in 2009, and a further expansion to 400 tons per year is expected by 2010.”

Tichelman also cited the “tremendous contribution” to Arise’s silicon program that Ebner has made. The fuirnace is “set for delivery to our plant in the 2009 first quarter. Our valued partnership with Ebner has enabled us to maintain a very rapid pace of development along the pathway to get our proprietary process to market.”

“The engineering design, procurement, and fabrication for the first SiRF 4 furnace are complete, and we are very pleased with the results of the initial runs,” added Jeff Dawkins, VP/GM of Arise’s PV silicon division. “We expect to use SiRF 4 equipment in our 400-tons-per-year facility, planned for 2010.”

Arise’s silicon feedstock development project is being partially funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), which is covering about one-third of the eligible project costs up to $6.4 million, payable in tranches as Arise meets specified milestones. SDTC’s funding of the project is leveraged by an additional $13.2 million committed by an Arise-led consortium.

Read Next

September 9, 2025
Iberdrola has signed a 77MW power purchase agreement (PPA) with Italian grocery retail group Selex Gruppo Commerciale.
September 9, 2025
Nautilus and Summit Ridge Energy secured major financing deals to expand community solar projects across multiple US states.
September 9, 2025
The US is forecast to reach between US$55-60 billion in clean energy tax credit monetisation in 2025, according to a report from clean energy financing technology platform Crux.
September 9, 2025
The average price of solar modules sold in Europe fell marginally between July and August, while buyers’ confidence remained steady.
September 9, 2025
The US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has released a policy blueprint which it claims would “strengthen the reliability of America’s electric grid with solar and storage technologies.”
September 9, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has acquired Origami Solar, a steel frame technology-focused company, for approximately US$53 million. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines