Greatcell Solar has announced that it is nearing completion of the financing of its continuing operations, including the establishment of a world-class prototype facility, and expects to complete a US$8 million capital raising and associated equipment supply and technology transfer agreement in the next 10 to 15 business days.
In March, the Company elected to undertake voluntary suspension pending the financing of its A$10M - $12M Major Area Demonstration (MAD) prototype facility at CSIRO in Melbourne. The decision by the board was taken to bring multiple stakeholders to the negotiating table, including local and international governments, and international investors, in a coordinated and diligent way. It has taken longer than expected, but the outcome is very pleasing. Those negotiations have now been completed and have 3 key elements:
- A US$2.025 million signed equipment supply and technology transfer contract to Gunes PSC of Turkey
- A US$8 million signed subscription agreement for a 10% strategic investment in GSL by CER Grup of Turkey
- The new investment releases financial support from the Australian government of a minimum of A$15 million through grants and R&D rebates
The financing component, involving the placement to a strategic partner and funding by the Australian government, is expected to provide a minimum of A$25 million for the Company which will enable it to execute its business plan to the end of CY2019 and beyond. In particular, it allows the Major Area Demonstration (MAD) prototype project to be completed and subsequent pilot production to commence.
Critical to the Company’s business plan is the intention to form a commercialisation joint-venture in Turkey with local industry to service the country’s burgeoning demand for renewable energy generation. The commercialisation rights will involve a significant share of the global market place. The Turkish government has been apprised of the proposal and has indicated its strong interest to offer considerable financial assistance to the local operating entity, conditional upon meeting technology scale-up milestones.
The investment process is being assisted by Herbert Smith Freehills. Greatcell will announce to ASX when it has received the funds and also provide additional detail on the broad scope of the deal and its partners.
It will then lift its voluntary suspension and seek the trading of GSL shares on ASX.
"We are very pleased to have closed on an international commercialisation partnership. Turkey as a market has all the necessary attributes for the collaboration to be highly successful. The deal is timely and well placed to exploit the global market place."
Richard Caldwell, Managing Director
"We are excited about this international business opportunity which has been incubating in Turkey for several years. Our company has the financial resources and business connections to grow the proposed joint-venture and has ambitious plans for the international deployment of finished solar PV product into the global market place."
Mr Kursad Darcin, Chairman, CER Grup