Alta Devices Explained

Alta Devices was a US-based specialty gallium arsenide (GaAs) PV manufacturer, which claimed to have achieved a solar cell conversion efficiency record of 29.1%, as certified by Germany's Fraunhofer ISE CalLab.^{[1] [2] [3]}

The company has ceased operations.^{[1] [4]}

History

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]

The firm's technology was 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 had been working with Audi on 'solar roofs' for their automobiles. Audi working with Alta Devices on cars with ‘solar roofs’ Opics.org. 24 Aug 2017

The firm broke efficiency records for single-junction solar cells and solar modules.^[6] In 2016, Alta Devices broke the world record conversion efficiency for dual-junction solar cell using InGaP/GaAs tandem structure. The world record was certified by National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This is the second time Alta Devices broke world record efficiency. The first time was 30.8% in 2013. ^[7]

In 2019, the company ceased operations.

Awards

• 2018 - Finalist in the 2019 Prism Awards for Photonics Innovation,^[8] determined by SPIE and Photonics Media.

See also

• Solar cell efficiency
• Timeline of solar cells

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hanergy-owned Alta Devices laid off 250 employees without notice. Wesoff, Eric . December 3, 2019. PV Magazine USA. September 11, 2020.
2. Web site: Alta Devices sets GaAs solar cell efficiency record at 29.1%, joins NASA space station testing. PV Tech. 13 December 2018 .
3. Web site: Alta sets flexible solar record with 29.1% GaAs cell. optics.org.
4. Web site: Hanergy named in class action complaint by ex-employees at Alta Devices. PV Magazine. 3 February 2020.
5. 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.
6. Web site: Alta Devices launches Gen4 solar cell, targeting UAVs and autonomous vehicles. www.semiconductor-today.com.
7. Web site: Alta Devices announces 31.6% efficiency for dual-junction solar cell | photon.info.
8. Web site: SPIE and Photonics Media Announce 2019 Prism Award Finalists. PRWeb.