Technic garners $900K federal grant for solar energy project

THANKS TO A $900,000 federal grant from a Department of Energy initiative, and $900,000 of its own funds, Cranston-based Technic is engaged in a project to help drive the cost of solar-generated electricity to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. / COURTESY TECHNIC
THANKS TO A $900,000 federal grant from a Department of Energy initiative, and $900,000 of its own funds, Cranston-based Technic is engaged in a project to help drive the cost of solar-generated electricity to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. / COURTESY TECHNIC

CRANSTON – A chemical manufacturing and research company received $900,000 Thursday through a federal initiative trying to make U.S. solar energy resources more affordable and accessible.
Cranston-based Technic Inc., a privately held corporation with more than 900 employees worldwide, was awarded the funds through the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. The funds will go toward company research and development of Alternative Seed Layer Technology, which aims to “provide manufacturers with lower front-side solar cell metallization material costs while maintaining and improving cell efficiencies,” according to a Technic press release.
“Technic maintains a strong commitment in the development of innovative solutions for the solar industry,” said Anthony Gallegos, Technic global product manager, solar technology.
The awarded allocation will match Technic-funded research and development of solar technologies, bringing the total shared investment to $1.8 million, according to the release. ASL technology is key in the development of solar energy technology.
“The ASL process is designed to metallize a solar cell through the use of light-induced plating of nickel, copper and tin,” according to the release.
The DOE’s SunShot initiative began in 2011 and has since funded more than 350 projects in photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, balance of system costs, systems integration and technology to market, according to its website. The initiative supports private companies, universities and national laboratories and aims to drive the cost of solar electricity to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Technic is a major supplier of engineered metal powders to the solar industry, according to the release.
“The company is uniquely positioned to provide the technical and engineering expertise to help bring about significant advances in solar manufacturing technology,” said Gallegos. “We are delighted to be part of this ambitious and challenging project.”

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