Emcore Corp of Albuquerque,NM,USA(which makes components,subsystems and systems for the fiber-optic and solar power markets)has entered into a definitive agreement,subject to closing conditions,to consolidate its terrestrial concentrating photovoltaics(CPV)system engineering and development efforts into its joint venture Suncore Photovoltaics Technology Co Ltd,which has a facility in the High-Tech Development Zone of Huainan City,Anhui Province,China.
Emcore has engaged in research,development,and manufacturing of solar CPV technology and products since 2005,and has been providing terrestrial CPV cells,receiver assemblies,and complete turn-key CPV systems to the market for both grid-tied utility applications and commercial rooftop solar power applications.In July 2010,Emcore formed Suncore with San'an Optoelectronics Co Ltd of Xiamen,China(which designs and manufactures products including full-wavelength-range high-brightness LED chips and wafers,solar cells,and PIN photodiodes)in order to engage in high-volume manufacturing and business development in China.Suncore is owned 40%by Emcore and 60%by San'an.
To streamline the development and engineering effort for CPV systems,Emcore and Suncore have entered into a definitive agreement to consolidate intellectual property and development efforts for both ground-mount and rooftop terrestrial CPV products-including key engineering,and sales and marketing personnel-to a subsidiary of Suncore in the USA.Suncore's subsidiary will fund all ongoing R&D,marketing,sales and business development related to terrestrial CPV systems.Emcore says that it will continue to own all of its intellectual property related to solar cell technology and maintain investment activities to advance CPV cell performance to serve a broader customer base within the CPV industry.
"This announcement will allow Emcore to focus its efforts on our core competency of multi-junction solar cell technology for both space and terrestrial power applications,"says chief operating officer Christopher Larocca."Emcore will continue to support Suncore through supply of advanced CPV solar cell products and maintain its presence in the terrestrial CPV systems market through our ownership in Suncore,"he adds.
"This transaction provides Suncore with strong R&D capability on top of the existing world-class,low-cost and high-volume manufacturing infrastructure,and allows Suncore to quickly respond to its customers'need in today's fast-changing solar energy market,"says Suncore's general manager Dr Charlie Wang."With our strong IP portfolio,solid financial status,and high-volume manufacturing capacity,Suncore is now ready to serve the worldwide renewable energy industry with state-of-the-art CPV products and technology."
Emcore employees currently engaged in product and business development for terrestrial CPV will be transferred to Suncore.Emcore executive VP Dr Charlie Wang will also join Suncore,continuing to serve as its general manager on a full-time basis upon the closing of the transaction.
