Xunlight secures $4.9M for thin-film solar modules

Following up on its recent $22 million haul, the Toledo, Ohio-based Xunlight Corporation has received another $4.9 million, courtesy of Ohio’s taxpayers. The company, a spin-off from the University of Toledo, is backed by Trident Capital, Emerald Technology Ventures and NGP Energy Technology Partners and has also received R&D funding from the US DOE, Department of Commerce and Ohio Department of Development.

The state’s Research Commercialization Program grant is meant to help the firm begin implementing its thin-film solar cell technology into local manufacturing facilities and to broaden its production capacity.

Its three immediate goals are to build an improved fabrication technology, develop a more efficient manufacturing process and bring more PV modules to market. Its current line of products includes thin-film silicon solar cells and PV modules, which are offered in several output sizes.

The company has not yet unveiled any specific plans to expand its presence in other states though it is in the process of building several commercial-scale facilities.