Insolight

Insolight, an EPFL startup that manufactures high-efficiency solar panels, has raised the CHF 5 million - mainly from Swiss investors - to take its photovoltaic system a step closer to market. The new injection of capital comes on top of a CHF 10 million EU grant awarded to the HIPERION Consortium, which brings together a range of industry and research partners. Insolight's technology has achieved record efficiency of 29% for sun-to-electricity conversion. It is planning to initially target the agricultural sector with translucent panels that can act as both greenhouse covers and power plants. The photovoltaic modules developed by Insolight, based at EPFL's Innovation Park, represent a novel approach to solar power generation. Lenses embedded in a thin glass layer focus sunlight on tiny, high-efficiency, space-grade solar cells below.