Intel Capital invests $20m in Chinese solar energy firm

Intel Capital, the VC and investment arm of the chip giant, has made a couple of big clean tech investments in China this week.

First is a $20m investment in Trony Solar Holdings, a Chinese thin-film solar energy provider. Trony plans to use the investment to enhance its production capacity to 105 megawatts, to serve a broad base of customers, and strengthen its research and development capabilities.

The second deal is an undisclosed investment in NP Holdings (NPH), a technology company focused on massive electricity storage systems for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

These are Intel Capital’s first clean tech investments in China.

Cadol Cheung, managing director of Intel Capital Asia Pacific, said:

“China’s renewable energy industry is experiencing rapid development. We believe these investments will be a catalyst to drive local clean tech innovation and help China toward the transition to a more sustainable energy system as well as economic growth.”