The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 23, 2022
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on Friday said that it has acquired a 20 per cent stake in California-based solar tech firm Caelux for USD 12 million as it strengthens its new energy manufacturing capabilities. Reliance New Energy Limited (RNEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of RIL, today signed definitive agreements to invest in Caelux Corporation, a company headquartered in Pasadena, in the USA, engaged in the development of perovskite-based solar technology.
This investment will accelerate product and technology development for Caelux, including construction of its pilot line in the United States, for expediting the commercial development of its technology.
RNEL and Caelux have also entered into a strategic partnership agreement for technical collaboration and commercialization of Caelux’s technology.
Caelux is an industry leader in the research and development of perovskite-based solar technology. Its proprietary technology enables high efficiency solar modules that can produce 20% more energy over the 25-year lifetime of a solar project at significantly lower installed cost.
Reliance is setting up a global scale integrated photovoltaic Giga factory at Jamnagar, Gujarat. Through this investment and collaboration, Reliance will be able to produce more powerful and lower cost solar modules leveraging Caelux’s products.
Speaking about this investment, RIL Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh D. Ambani said, “The investment in Caelux aligns with our strategy to create the most advanced green energy manufacturing ecosystem, backed by world class talent, and built on the pillars of technological innovation achieved through strategic partnerships. We believe Caelux’s proprietary perovskite based solar technology provides us with access to next leg of innovation in crystalline solar modules. We will work along with team at Caelux to accelerate its product development and commercialization of its technology.”
“Caelux is proud to have Reliance as a lead investor as we move to the next phase of our development and are grateful for Khosla Ventures’ support of the company over the years. Through the partnership with Reliance, we will accelerate our efforts to build out our manufacturing capabilities to produce products that make crystalline solar modules more efficient and cost effective. We look forward to demonstrating the future of solar power at a scale as we support Reliance’s global expansion plans and product roadmap,” said Scott Graybeal, CEO of Caelux Corporation.
The transaction will not require any regulatory approval and is expected to be completed by end of September 2022, subject to satisfaction of any condition’s precedent.
