Atlanta firm Suniva lands $500 million contract for solar cells

ATLANTA — Suniva, a startup that landed $50 million in venture finding in February, has landed a multi-year contract with a French firm worth more than $500 million.

Solon AG, touted as the largest solar photovoltaic module manufacturer in Europe, will buy silicon solar cells made by Suniva through 2012.

Suniva is a spin-off of Georgia Tech’s Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics, a research group that the university founded in 1992. Founded in 2007, it licensed technology from Tech. Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi, director of the Tech center, is Suniva’s chief technical officer.

Using established manufacturing techniques, including screen printing, Suniva expects to be producing cells for under $1 per watt within two to three years. If true, that would make Suniva’s cells some of the most cost-effective photovoltaics available.

Suniva’s plant is highly automated, requiring a total of about 40 staff members for round-the-clock production.

"As one of the highest quality solar module manufacturers in the world, Solon is and will continue to be a strong industry partner for Suniva," said John Baumstark, Suniva’s chief executive officer. "This agreement marks another milestone in our growth strategy as we solidify Suniva's powerful position in the solar supply chain."