Solar Frontier and the State University of New York College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (“SUNY CNSE”) have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a technical and economic feasibility study for potential joint R&D and manufacturing of CIS thin-film modules in Buffalo, New York. This move is part of Solar Frontier’s future plans to establish production bases for its proprietary technology outside of Japan, the company’s home market that currently accounts for 100% of its production.
“Solar Frontier will continue to advance itself as a global enterprise in the solar energy segment, and establishing overseas production bases is at the core of our mid-term growth plan,” said Hiroto Tamai, President and Representative Director of Solar Frontier. “We are honored to work with the CNSE to study the potential for joint R&D and manufacturing of our proprietary CIS technology in New York State.”
“Governor Andrew Cuomo challenged the State of New York to become a leading high-tech knowledge economy. Our feasibility study with Solar Frontier, the holder of a proprietary CIS thin-film solar photovoltaic technology, is a step toward unveiling that vision – toward the reality of new high-tech jobs, new economic growth, and to becoming a center for advanced nanotechnologies,” said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, CEO of CNSE.
CNSE is a global education, research, development, and technology deployment resource supporting New York’s job creation and growth agenda for emerging high-tech industries. CNSE has made more than $20 billion in high-tech investments since its foundation in 2004, representing the world's most advanced university-driven research enterprise. CNSE’s Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells and supports CNSE’s leadership of the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC).
Under the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Assembly, New York is making multi-billion strategic investments in high-tech programs, ranging from long-term innovative R&D to workforce development and product commercialization. Public-private partnerships are a cornerstone of this program, inviting foreign investment and driving economic development and job creation across the state.