By Kari Williamson

The editors of MIT’s Technology Review annually select the 10 emerging technologies with the greatest potential to transform the world within the areas of energy, health care, computing, and communications.

“Semprius’ technology is promising because it could significantly lower the cost of solar power for utilities,” says Jason Pontin, Editor in Chief and Publisher of the Technology Review. “It will be worth watching this company as it scales up its production in the coming years.”

Semprius' HCPV solar module is based on a micro-transfer printing process, which enables the company to use what is said to be the world’s smallest solar cell – approximately the size of a pencil point. In January, Semprius reached an efficiency of 33.9% with its HCPV solar module.

The HCPV solar module has been developed with support from the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and Semprius is now ramping up global deployment of demonstration systems while completing construction of a plant in Henderson, N.C. Commercial production at the plant will begin during the second half of 2012.