Company Description
Aurora Solar Technologies Inc. (traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ACU and on other markets under AACTF) is a public company focused on measurement, control, and metrology technologies for the photovoltaic (PV) solar manufacturing industry. According to the company’s disclosures, it is a provider of inline and offline measurement and control technology designed to improve solar cell and module production yield and efficiency. Aurora has built its business around photoluminescence (PL) imaging, machine vision, and data-driven quality management systems for solar wafer, cell, and module manufacturing.
The company acquired and wholly owns BT Imaging Pty Ltd., which it describes as a global or industry leader in high-precision photoluminescence imaging and measurement solutions for the solar industry. BT Imaging specializes in advanced machine vision, defect categorization, precision measurements, and machine learning delivered through its Intelligent PL Solutions platform. Aurora states that its products and those of BT Imaging are installed worldwide and are used by some of the world’s most advanced and respected solar cell manufacturers and renewable energy laboratories.
Business focus and technology
Aurora’s business is centered on non-contact, high-speed PL imaging and related metrology tools that support material inspection and quality control throughout the solar wafer, cell, and module value chain. Company materials describe a range of product families, including:
- R series tools for offline inspection and characterization of solar cells, including multi-junction and tandem cells through products such as the R-MJ (multi-junction) tool.
- W series tools for inline incoming wafer inspection in production environments.
- M (module) products for module-level inspection, including applications in commercial module sales.
- An inline Intelligent PL Solutions platform that combines core imaging technology with AI-driven analytics to deliver real-time, contactless defect imaging and advanced measurements on production lines.
The inline Intelligent PL Solutions platform is described as providing real-time solar cell quality data, supporting process control and quality assurance for advanced solar technologies such as TOPCon, back-contact, zero-busbar, heterojunction, and tandem cells. The company highlights capabilities such as AI-powered defect detection, advanced imaging, contactless IV (current-voltage) measurement, and analytics that support binning strategies, yield optimization, and root-cause analysis.
Intelligent PL Solutions and product examples
Within its inline Intelligent PL Solutions platform, BT Imaging has introduced tools that the company associates with next-generation solar manufacturing:
- i5 inline inspection system, which incorporates contactless IV measurement, advanced imaging, and AI-powered defect detection. Aurora states that this system enables feedback loops for improved re-working, yield optimization, and root cause analysis based on performance, operations, and cost benefits.
- R3-MJ offline metrology tool, described as optimized for tandem, thin-film, and multi-junction solar cells in development.
The company reports that its inline platform has demonstrated the ability to integrate into existing production lines and to deliver accurate measurements of next-generation cells with advanced metallization patterns. It contrasts these capabilities with legacy contact-based IV/EL systems that are described as throughput-limited and reliant on specialized contacting jigs. According to Aurora, its inline PL imaging can be applied to finished modules before and after accelerated aging to distinguish between different types of module performance issues, supporting reliability assessment and early detection of degradation.
Clean technology and smart factory positioning
Aurora presents its acquisition and integration of BT Imaging as part of a broader clean technology and smart factory strategy. Company updates emphasize the use of artificial intelligence, data characterization, and machine learning to improve cell efficiency and to establish imaging standards for quality assurance. Aurora describes itself as a machine vision solutions provider for material inspection and process control systems in the solar industry and in emerging industrial processes focused on automation, inspection of critical materials, and smart factory concepts.
The company references its Insight platform, which it associates with big data analytics for smart factory solutions. In its disclosures, Aurora notes that this platform is intended to deliver functions such as automatic location of underperforming process tools and fault detection and diagnosis in solar manufacturing environments.
Global operations and customer base
According to multiple corporate updates, Aurora Solar Technologies is headquartered near Vancouver, Canada, with operations in Sydney, Australia and Shanghai, China. The company also notes that it works with partners in all major solar manufacturing markets. Its products are described as being installed worldwide by customers and partners across major solar manufacturing regions, and used by advanced solar cell manufacturers and renewable energy laboratories.
Aurora’s disclosures highlight participation in industry events such as the SNEC International PV Power Generation and Smart Energy Exhibition and Conference in Shanghai and the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference. At these events, BT Imaging has showcased products such as the R-MJ multi-junction tool and the inline Intelligent PL Solutions platform, and has presented on data analytics and smart factory applications.
Corporate developments and growth orientation
The company has reported a series of corporate updates describing integration of BT Imaging, restructuring, and a focus on growth. Integration steps have included consolidating offices, aligning Aurora personnel with BT Imaging operations, and forming advisory and leadership structures around the BT Imaging business. Aurora has described BT Imaging as self-funding and has referenced sales performance and product demand that support an expanded product and market roadmap.
In its communications, Aurora outlines a growth strategy centered on:
- Scaling its inline Intelligent PL Solutions platform for process control and quality assurance in advanced solar technologies, including tandem and back-contact cells and module-level applications.
- Geographic expansion, with stated focus on regions such as Asia, India, the Middle East, and the United States.
- Strategic partnerships and collaborations with equipment manufacturers, turnkey suppliers, and solar manufacturers, including co-investment models tied to volume orders and integrated supply arrangements.
The company has also discussed non-dilutive funding, government grants, research partnerships, and financing facilities that support development of its inline platform and product roadmap. Aurora notes an Intellectual Property and Services Agreement with the University of New South Wales to support development and scale-up of inline PL applications and to embed new techniques and features into its products.
Recognition and listing status
Aurora Solar Technologies states that it is a two-time TSX Venture Exchange Top 50 winner and that it has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in British Columbia by a regional business publication. The company emphasizes that it is a public company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ACU, and its disclosures refer to trading reinstatement processes and interactions with securities regulators and the exchange.
Across its public communications, Aurora positions itself and BT Imaging as providers of PL-based metrology, machine vision, and AI-enabled analytics for solar manufacturing, with a focus on improving yield, quality assurance, and bankability for next-generation solar cell and module technologies.
Stock Performance
Latest News
SEC Filings
No SEC filings available for Aurora Solar Tec.
Financial Highlights
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Short Interest History
Short interest in Aurora Solar Tec (AACTF) currently stands at 5.0 thousand shares, down 77.1% from the previous reporting period, representing 0.0% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has decreased by 85.4%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Aurora Solar Tec (AACTF) currently stands at 1.0 days. This low days-to-cover ratio indicates high liquidity, allowing short sellers to quickly exit positions if needed. The days to cover has decreased 99.2% over the past year, suggesting improved liquidity for short covering. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.0 to 125.2 days.