Venture investors must enjoy the warm glow coming from solar companies because they keep pumping money into them. The latest company to get an infusion of cash, Stion Corp., makes a thin-film solar panel that will generate solar electricity at a price comparable to current electric rates. Stion, which was formerly called NStructures, plans to begin production of its thin films in 2010 and in the meantime has raised a Series B from Lightspeed Ventures, General Catalyst Partners and Khosla Ventures.

Thin film companies have raised more than $280 million in venture capital, but some clouds may be looming over their future with Miasole admitting to production problems and Nanosolar Inc. losing its chief scientist.—Stacey Higginbotham

See press release in American Venture Magazine
See Tech Confidential blog entry on Miasole
See Tech Confidential blog on Nanosolar