$3.8 million in Federal Funds Awarded to Austin-based Clean Tech Companies to Help Shape Next Generation of Solar Technology

The grant awarded to SolarBridge Technologies will go toward developing more robust and efficient production of solar energy. SolarBridge, a manufacturer of solar microinverters, is working on establishing a universal mechanism for connecting power conversion electronics to individual solar panels. Additionally, their microinverter technology will make solar power more efficient, reliable and safe for both residential and commercial photovoltaic systems.

AstroWatt is a venture funded startup company based in Austin, Texas, and founded by two Austin area semiconductor veterans Dr. Dharmesh Jawarani and Leo Mathew in 2008. AstroWatt will use the funding to research low-cost, high-efficiency, thin silicon-based photovoltaic cells.

"With these grant awards, Austin continues to show that its reputation as a clean tech leader is well-deserved," said Rep. Doggett. "The solar energy solutions that we develop here in Austin help grow the green economy nationwide."

"SolarBridge is committed to dramatically reducing the cost of residential and commercial PV systems," said Ron Van Dell, president and CEO of SolarBridge Technologies.

"The DOE SunShot award will accelerate our development of an extremely low-cost microinverter and an innovative scheme for solar module integration."

"We are very pleased to have been selected by DOE as part of the Sunshot initiative to speed the development of AstroWatt's ultra low cost high efficiency solar cells technology. The selection of AstroWatt in this highly competitive environment is a great validation of our technology. We look forward to our continued growth in the Austin area," commented Curt Vass, CEO of AstroWatt, Inc.