Alta Devices
Alta Devices was a US-based specialty gallium arsenide (GaAs) PV manufacturer, which claims to have achieved a solar cell conversion efficiency record of 29.1%, as certified by Germany's Fraunhofer ISE CalLab.[1][2][3] This company has ceased operations.[1][4]
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Solar Energy, photovoltaics |
Founded | 2007 |
Headquarters | Sunnyvale, California |
Key people | Jian Ding, Senior Vice President of Hanergy Thin Film and CEO of Alta Devices; Founders: Eli Yablonovitch, Harry Atwater |
Products | Photovoltaic system, Solar Panels |
Website | www |
Alta Devices was founded in 2007 by Eli Yablonovitch and Harry Atwater and manufactured solar photovoltaic applications for mobile devices that enable the conversion of light into electricity. The firm was acquired by Hanergy Group, a privately held Chinese multinational renewable energy company, in 2013[5]
Adoption
The firm's technology is significant for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), solar cars, and other electric vehicles.'[6] NASA has been testing its solar technology for the International Space Station. The firm has been working with Audi on 'solar roofs' for their automobiles.[7]
Previous records
The firm has previously broken efficiency records for single-junction solar cells and solar modules.[6]
Awards
- 2018 - Finalist in the 2019 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation,[8] determined by SPIE and Photonics Media.
References
- Wesoff, Eric (December 3, 2019). "Hanergy-owned Alta Devices laid off 250 employees without notice". PV Magazine USA. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- "Alta Devices sets GaAs solar cell efficiency record at 29.1%, joins NASA space station testing". PV Tech.
- "Alta sets flexible solar record with 29.1% GaAs cell". optics.org.
- "Hanergy named in class action complaint by ex-employees at Alta Devices". PV Magazine.
- Wesoff, Eric, "Sources: Alta Devices, GaAs Solar Startup, Acquired by China’s Hanergy," Green Tech Media, Dec. 06, 2013. Retrieved 11 Sept. 2020. See also Wesoff, Eric, "Alta Devices, GaAs Solar Startup, Finally Admits Acquisition by China’s Hanergy", Green Tech Media, Aug. 13, 2014. Retrieved 11 Sept. 2020.
- "Alta Devices launches Gen4 solar cell, targeting UAVs and autonomous vehicles". www.semiconductor-today.com.
- Audi working with Alta Devices on cars with ‘solar roofs’ Opics.org. 24 Aug 2017
- "SPIE and Photonics Media Announce 2019 Prism Award Finalists". PRWeb.