WATERLOO - ARISE Technologies Corporation, which is dedicated to becoming a leader in high-performance, cost-effective solar technology, announced that it has produced its first PV (photovoltaic) cells at its manufacturing plant in Bischofswerda, Germany using the company's own 7N+ polysilicon.

"We have taken another significant and important step forward in our silicon feedstock development project," said Jeff Dawkins, Vice-President and General Manager, PV Silicon Division. "This marks the first time that we have used our Silicon Refining Furnace (SiRF(TM)) to produce 7N+ high-purity silicon in a quantity that could be used to manufacture PV cells with an efficiency level comparable to those being produced at our German plant. Our current cell manufacturing process uses silicon wafers that we have purchased from other suppliers."

ARISE's silicon feedstock development project is being partially funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The project is developing a new approach for refining high-purity silicon needed for high-efficiency PV (photovoltaic) cells. The proprietary process that ARISE is developing is intended to produce 7N+ high-purity (99.99999 percent purity level) silicon for PV applications using a simplified chemical vapor deposition process. ARISE believes that its ability to produce 7N+ high-purity silicon will enable it to meet its target of more than 20 percent efficiency for PV cells.

"ARISE's technology has the potential to increase efficiency while also reducing the high cost of producing PV cells, a major issue currently facing the PV solar industry," said Vicky J. Sharpe, President and CEO of SDTC. "The achievement of this significant milestone in the silicon feedstock development project represents an important step forward for the PV solar industry in Canada and around the world."

"Having achieved this milestone in our development program, ARISE is displaying at the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition being held in Hamburg, Germany September 21-25, mono-crystal ingots that we produced from our polysilicon," Mr. Dawkins reported.