+ 03.02.2012 + 33.9 Percent Efficiency Confirmed by the Instituto de Energía Solar of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.

Semprius, Inc., an innovator in high concentration  photovoltaic (HCPV) solar modules, has set a new world record for photovoltaic  module efficiency, reaching 33.9 percent (active area).  The module was tested  indoors at Standard Test Conditions (850 W/m2 , 25°C cell temperature, and a  spectrum matched to AM1.5D) by the Instituto de Energía Solar at the Universidad  Politécnica de Madrid (IES-UPM).  This efficiency result, certified by the IES-UPM and  corroborated by outdoor measurements made at the Institute of Concentration  Photovoltaic Systems (ISFOC) in Puertollano, Spain, significantly exceeds the  previous claim of 32.0 percent.

“This is a significant milestone for Semprius and the entire PV industry,” said Scott  Burroughs, vice president of Technology at Semprius.  “For the first time, we have  been able to convert more than one-third of the sun’s energy into usable electricity.   This demonstrates how concentrated PV can leverage rapidly increasing efficiencies  to continue driving down the cost of solar generated electricity.”

Semprius delivers a unique HCPV module design that begins with its proprietary  micro-transfer printing process.  This process enables the company to fabricate the  world’s smallest solar cell – approximately the size of a pencil point – to create solar  modules with unmatched efficiency and performance.

“This is the culmination of our emphasis on bringing smart design to solar,” said Joe  Carr, chief executive officer of Semprius.  “We looked carefully at each component of  our module – cell, optics, enclosure and the manufacturing process – to develop a  competitive solution that embodies high efficiency, performance and reliability.  Important to our customers is the fact that the module chosen for this third-party  evaluation is part of the normal production distribution that will be commercially  available later this year.”

After developing its module with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s  National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Semprius is now ramping up global  deployment of demonstration systems while completing construction of a pilot plant  in Henderson, North Carolina. Commercial production at the plant will begin during  the second half of 2012.

“Semprius as a leader in HCPV modules shows us that we have bet on the right  technology,” said Martin Pfund, CEO of the Siemens Energy Photovoltaic Business  Unit.  “The world record is a breakthrough in module efficiency. Combined with our  expertise in turnkey solutions business, it has the potential to become a game  changer for the solar markets in regions with high irradiation. With Semprius as a  partner, we will further broaden our portfolio in the photovoltaics market. We’re very  pleased to be working together with Semprius to commercialize this technology  globally.”

Semprius 2012