Solar Cell Manufacturer Sunpreme Closes $50 Million Financing

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunpreme, a global manufacturer of low-cost, highly scalable SmartSilicon^® solar cells, today announced that it closed over $50 million in financing led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, joining existing investors Silicon-Valley-based Capricorn Investment Group and Beijing-based China Environment Fund III, L.P. managed by Tsing Capital.  The capital infusion is being used to construct a state-of-the-art facility in Jiaxing, China, allowing Sunpreme to continue to expand production of its SmartSilicon^® solar cells by year end.

"Over the past 18 months, Sunpreme has demonstrated for the first time a commercially viable metallurgical Silicon solar cell technology. Our first three US patents for the innovative device structure have been granted and we are now moving to scale production of the SmartSilicon^® cells in the new Jiaxing facility, near Shanghai, with world-class environmental and social management systems fully supported by the local Government," said Ashok K. Sinha, Sunpreme Chairman & CEO and former Senior VP responsible for Applied Materials Silicon Products Business. "With continued support from our new and existing investors, we are in a position to achieve a global footprint beyond the US, Europe and China," he added.

Sunpreme's SmartSilicon^® is a disruptive solar cell technology that delivers high-efficiency solar photovoltaic panels at lower costs. Using Sunpreme's patented technology on largely industry standard production equipment, the company's cost-effective manufacturing process provides utility-scale and distributed power generation customers with a reliable, high-performance and affordable solar solution.

The Company's low energy-intensity and low environmental impact process does not utilize toxic or rare materials, and thus avoids the unwelcome paradox of exporting clean technology globally while polluting the environment locally.  

Sunpreme's latest commercial effort represents a meaningful and replicable transfer of solar technologies to key emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa, China and India. By commercializing a technology innovation that focuses on reducing cost per Watt at the module level, and supplying modules to the large and distributed power plant manufacturers, this project is a step forward toward making clean efficient energy available to all.

"We are cognizant of the current dynamics in the solar industry, which include rapidly declining prices and an oversupply in capacity. We believe Sunpreme is strongly positioned to leverage its technology and cost leadership to win in this challenging marketplace," said Dipender Saluja, Partner, Capricorn Investment Group, which led the initial funding round and is Sunpreme's largest investor.  "Capricorn's follow-on reinvestment is a testimonial to our confidence in Sunpreme's strong leadership team, management acumen and market vision," he added.

About International Finance Corporation (IFC)

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. IFC helps developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, providing advisory services to businesses and governments, and mobilizing capital in the international financial markets. In fiscal 2011, amid economic uncertainty across the globe, IFC helped its clients create jobs, strengthen environmental performance, and contribute to their local communities—all while driving our investments to an all-time high of nearly $19 billion. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. Sunpreme is listed under project number 30265.

About Capricorn Investment Group  

Capricorn Investment Group is a private, independent investment firm that manages approximately $4 billion of capital on behalf of a small number of investors, including Jeff Skoll and the Skoll Foundation.  Capricorn's investment process is grounded in comprehensive perspectives on long-term, global trends in energy, agriculture, transportation, healthcare and technology.

About China Environment Fund

China Environment Fund III L.P. is one of a series of funds established and managed by Tsing Capital since 2002, and is the first series of funds in China with a focus in clean-tech and environment related investments. As the pioneer and first mover in the pure play of environment venture capital investment in China, China Environment Funds have established a proven record of generating financial returns while achieving important environmental and social goals. China Environment Funds have a series of four funds that amounts to USD 500 million, and are invested by some of the most recognized institutions across the world.

About Sunpreme

Sunpreme is a global photovoltaic (PV) solar company engaged in the business of developing, commercializing and manufacturing its proprietary SmartSilicon® based solar cells to satisfy growing global needs for abundant, low-cost, clean energy. Sunpreme has R&D and process integration facilities in Sunnyvale, CA - the heart of Silicon Valley's market-based innovation culture - and Manufacturing and final process development capability in Jiaxing, near Shanghai, China. www.sunpreme.com  

For further inquiries, please contact Jeff Lettes at [email protected], or by phone at  (408)406-1161

SOURCE Sunpreme