AQT Solar, a developer of low-cost CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-diselenide) thin-film solar cells, announced that it has secured $18.7 million in venture funding to deploy a second CIGS line at the company’s Sunnyvale facility.

• AQT Solar deploys a proprietary process to produce high-performance, low-cost CIGS thin-film solar cells.
• 30 MW cell manufacturing capacity expected by mid-year

The Series B investment, which was at a higher valuation for the company than the previous round of funding, brings the total amount of capital that AQT has attracted to date to almost $40 million.
 
This funding round follows a year of consistent progress and growth for AQT. The company’s Sunnyvale site is now operating around the clock and will have an installed solar cell capacity of more than 30MW by mid-year. AQT cells are currently used in 100 watt CIGS modules that are being field deployed. By year-end, up to 180 watt CIGS modules powered by AQT cells are expected to be available in the market.
 
AQT’s CIGS 2.0 technology allows for continuous in-line production, which simplifies and streamlines the manufacturing process, resulting in the highest projected capital efficiency in the industry, while minimizing component costs. This manufacturing pathway has resulted in the development, shipment and scaling of CIGS module product in just four years and for less than $40M in funding, making AQT the market leader in time-to-market and cost-to-market.

About AQT Solar
Founded in 2007, AQT Solar deploys a proprietary process on proven manufacturing platforms to produce high-performance, low-cost CIGS thin-film solar cells.