Innovalight

Innovalight, Inc. operated as a materials science company focused on the renewable energy sector, specifically targeting the crystalline silicon solar cell market. The company was founded in 2005 by Conrad Burke, an Irish physicist and entrepreneur with a background in physics from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, and extensive experience at firms like NEC, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies.

The firm's core product was a proprietary silicon-based nanoparticle ink and an associated process technology. This "silicon ink" was designed to be integrated into existing solar cell manufacturing lines with a simple additional screen-printing step. When applied, the ink created a selective emitter structure on the solar cell, which reduced surface recombination losses and contact resistance. This boosted the cell's conversion efficiency, with demonstrations showing an increase of around 1% absolute efficiency in a manufacturing environment. The primary benefit was a cost-effective performance enhancement for solar cell manufacturers, allowing them to increase power output without significant capital expenditure.

Innovalight's business model pivoted from its initial goal of manufacturing entire solar cells to a more focused intellectual property and materials supply strategy. Confronted with the challenge of competing against heavily capitalized Chinese manufacturers, the company shifted to licensing its patented process and supplying the silicon ink to these same firms. This model involved charging a licensing fee per wafer produced using their technology, supplemented by the sale of the ink itself. Key clients included major Asian solar manufacturers such as JA Solar, Yingli, and Motech. A significant milestone was its acquisition by chemical giant DuPont in July 2011 for an undisclosed sum, a move that provided Innovalight with the global market access and resources needed for broader adoption. Following the acquisition, the company was renamed DuPont Innovalight.

Keywords: silicon ink, solar cell efficiency, photovoltaics, selective emitter, nanotechnology, materials science, renewable energy materials, technology licensing, process technology, DuPont acquisition