Alta Devices

Alta Devices was established in 2007 as a specialized manufacturer of gallium arsenide (GaAs) photovoltaic technology. The company was co-founded by two distinguished figures in the fields of physics and materials science: Eli Yablonovitch, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Harry Atwater, a professor at the California Institute of Technology. Their collaboration stemmed from decades of research, particularly Yablonovitch's work on a technique known as epitaxial liftoff (ELO), which allows for the creation of extremely thin, high-purity layers of GaAs. This academic foundation provided the company with a distinct approach to deviating from the conventional cost-efficiency curve of the solar industry. The firm secured significant venture capital, raising over $120 million from investors such as Kleiner Perkins, August Capital, and Dow Chemical.

The core of Alta Devices' business was the production of highly efficient, thin, and flexible solar cells. The company's proprietary technology centered on gallium arsenide, a semiconductor material capable of absorbing significantly more sunlight than traditional silicon. A key manufacturing process was the ELO technique, which produces flexible GaAs layers just one micron thick, a fraction of the thickness of a human hair. This process was instrumental in creating a product with a superior power-to-weight ratio. The business model focused on supplying these advanced solar cells to markets where size, weight, and mobility are critical factors. Key client sectors included unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, electric vehicles, and portable consumer electronics. For instance, the technology was designed to extend the flight time of drones from a few hours to over eight by covering their wing surfaces. The company also explored applications like solar-powered automotive roofs with partners such as Audi and power sources for the Internet of Things.

Alta Devices' flagship product, the AnyLight™ power technology, was designed to convert any light source into electricity, offering the potential to extend the energy source of a system or eliminate the power cord entirely. The company consistently set world records for solar cell conversion efficiency. Its single-junction cells reached 29.1% efficiency, and its dual-junction cells achieved 31.6%, figures certified by respected institutions like Germany's Fraunhofer ISE CalLab and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). These efficiency levels were substantially higher than other commercially available solar technologies at the time. In a significant milestone, Chinese multinational renewable energy company Hanergy Holding Group acquired Alta Devices in 2014, intending to expand the application of its technology in mobile power solutions. Following the acquisition, Alta Devices continued to operate as an independent subsidiary and even supplied its technology to NASA for testing on the International Space Station. However, the company ceased operations in 2019 after its parent company, Hanergy, faced financial difficulties, leading to a shutdown and eventual auction of its assets.

Keywords: gallium arsenide, thin-film solar, PV efficiency, mobile power technology, epitaxial liftoff, unmanned aerial vehicles, satellite solar power, flexible solar cells, Hanergy, advanced photovoltaics