6N Silicon Receives $1.5 million from the Government of Ontario, Announces EOS Project

    MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 23 /CNW/ - 6N Silicon Inc., has received a
$1.5 million investment from the Ontario Government's Ministry of Research and
Innovation to support the development of a true solar grade silicon for the PV
industry. This funding is provided from the Innovation Demonstration Fund,
which supports promising environmental and alternative energy technologies.
    These new funds are being applied to 6N Silicon's multi-year EOS Project
to develop, demonstrate and test 6N's innovative silicon purification
technology for a low cost, true solar grade solution. This funding complements
the previously announced $4 million financing from the Canadian Government's
Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).
    John Wilkinson, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation, said, "A key
part of our government's strategy to make innovation a driving force for
Ontario's economy is to invest in technologies that will create the jobs of
tomorrow. This project is a great example of the power of innovation to turn
challenges - like how we generate clean energy - into solutions we can sell to
the world."
    Amrit Mangat, Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament for Mississauga -
Brampton South, noted "We are thrilled with the culture of innovation that is
thriving in Mississauga. Our investment in 6N Silicon Inc. will create jobs
and provide clean energy solutions to Ontario and to the world."
    Paolo Maccario, CEO of 6N Silicon added, "We are very pleased to have
this important support of the Ministry of Research and Innovation. The solar
industry is a fast-growing global industry with critical supply issues.
Support from the Ontario government directly helps us to create new jobs and
leverage the strong knowledge base here in Ontario. This support will help us
to sustain our competitive advantages and refine our process for the current
and next generation solar purity requirements."

    EOS Project

    Named after the Goddess of the Dawn, the EOS Project is a multi-year,
milestone-based program to develop the 6N Silicon process for purifying true
solar grade silicon. The EOS Project is focused on a low-cost solution that
can address the purity requirements of all crystalline silicon solar cells,
which currently represent about 95% of the overall photovoltaic market. The 6N
process offers to fundamentally address the critical silicon shortage in the
photovoltaic industry by allowing output capacity to keep pace with rapid
industry growth as well as to reduce the cost of this critical feedstock to
make solar power competitive with standard forms of electrical power
generation. Support for the EOS Project is provided from Sustainable
Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Government of Ontario's
Innovation Demonstration Fund. More information on the EOS Project can be
found at http://www.6nsilicon.com/s/eosproject.asp.

    Ontario's Innovation Demonstration Fund

    The Innovation Demonstration Fund (IDF) is a discretionary,
non-entitlement funding program administered by the Ministry of Research and
Innovation that focuses on the commercialization and initial demonstration of
globally competitive, innovative technologies, processes and/or products.
    The objective of the IDF is to help companies in their efforts to
commercialize innovative technologies in Ontario.

    6N Silicon Inc.

    6N Silicon has developed a disruptive process for the production of true
solar grade silicon. The solar industry has grown at over 45% per year on
average for the past nine years, and the supply of purified silicon is a
critical competitive and sustainable growth issue. The 6N process offers
substantial improvements in scale-up-speed along with reduced capital and
operational costs. Headquartered in the Greater Toronto Area, 6N Silicon is in
the heart of Canada's metal processing industry and is surrounded by Canada's
extensive metal processing expertise. 6N Silicon is the recipient of the
inaugural Deloitte & Touche Technology Green 15 Award recognizing it as one of
the top fifteen green technology companies in Canada. 6N investors include
Good Energies, Ventures West and Yaletown Venture Partners. For more
information, please visit 6N Silicon's web site at http://www.6nsilicon.com.

For further information: David Dunnison, VP Business Development,
[e-mail], [phone]