U.S. investors have invested $129.4 million in a promisingsolar technology that uses plastic lenses to concentrate sunlightonto small but highly efficient solar cells.

The so-called multijunction cells, developed by California-based Amonix, generate more electricitythan conventional photovoltaic panels and require fewer costlysemiconducting materials, such as silicon. The company has successfullytested the technology at small solar farms in Spain and the UnitedStates. While numerous companies are trying to capitalize on the growing solar market — and the desire for utilities to meet renewable energytargets — analysts say concentrated photovoltaic technology has apossible edge over other solar technologies because it is more efficient and requires less land for utility-scale projects.

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