CubicPV has announced it plans to start a 10-GW silicon wafer manufacturing facility in the United States. The company expects the factory to create 1,500 new direct jobs.
CubicPV formed in 2021 as a merger of 1366 Technologies and Hunt Perovskite Technologies, two U.S. solar R&D companies focused on wafers and perovskites. CubicPV has been invested in developing tandem PV designs. The 10-GW wafer factory is expected to produce mono wafers.
“The IRA represents a titanic shift in the global solar landscape, and the U.S. is poised to become the world’s most competitive location to manufacture solar. We’re excited to have a role in the U.S. manufacturing renaissance while accelerating our business plan and supporting the development of our next generation tandem module technology,” said Frank van Mierlo, CEO of CubicPV, in a statement.
CubicPV has begun facility design and is in advanced discussions on a location. An announcement on the location should come in Q1 2023, and construction on the factory is anticipated to be completed in 2024 with full production ramp-up in 2025.
In addition to the 10-GW wafer factory, CubicPV is increasing its R&D activities in tandem modules. The company recently raised $26 million in Series B financing. Where single-junction PV technology is approaching its efficiency ceiling, tandem technology could provide a boost.
“SCG Cleanergy is committed to investing in the next generation of innovative clean energy companies and Cubic’s tandem modules will play a powerful role in our clean energy future,” said Tim McCaffery, Global Investment Director for SCG, one of the recent investors in CubicPV’s financing round. “We are impressed with the strength of the Cubic team, the progress of their technologies, and their commitment to innovation. We look forward to supporting the company through this exciting next phase.”