Intel
Capital has invested $12.5 million in specialty gases firm Voltaix. The
funds will be used to expand production capacity with the construction
of a new plant to supply precursors for thin-film solar cell
applications.
“We have provided critical materials for semiconductor and thin film solar applications for more than twenty-five years,” said Dr. John P. de Neufville (pictured), President of Voltaix and an early contributor to amorphous materials research. “We believe that thin-film solar cell production, particularly products that can support Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), is poised for significant expansion. This financing will help enable us to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to meet growing demand for thin film energy technologies.”
“Materials innovation is critical to enabling new capabilities in semiconductor device manufacturing,” said Arvind Sodhani, President of Intel Capital and Intel Executive Vice President. “Our financing of Voltaix is part of Intel Capital’s manufacturing strategy to foster innovation around integrated circuit manufacturing and complementary cleantech areas such as thin film photovoltaics.”
Voltaix recently signed a supply agreement with XsunX for high-purity germane to be used in tandem solar cell fabrication.
