Semprius, a world leader in making solar power more financially attractive with proprietary technology that converts the sun’s energy to electricity at record levels, is getting ever bigger on the radar screen at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

MIT, the titan of technology, is shining a bright light of recognition on Semprius for a second straight year. This time, the Durham-based solar tech firm earns a spot on MIT’s “50 Disruptive Companies” list.

Three other firms with a big presence in the Triangle – ABB, Novartis and IBM – also cracked the list.

A year ago, MIT selected Semprius to its prestigious “10 Breakthrough Technologies” list.

Semprius, which recently opened a production plant in Henderson, is cited in the “Disruptive” list for “using a novel method of concentrating sunlight through tiny lenses to boost the efficiency of solar power.”

The company’s technology is “Manipulating Light to Double Solar Power Output,” MIT Technology Review says.

In 2012, MIT declared Semprius as offering “Ultra-Efficient Solar.”

“Under the right circumstances, solar cells from Semprius could produce power more cheaply than fossil fuels,” the magazine said.

That technology breakthrough has secured Semprius much more important things than publicity – such as investors.

The company launched in 2005, has some 65 employees, and has raised $45 million from a variety of investors, including In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA.

Jason Pontin, publisher and editor in chief of MIT Technology Review, cited Semprius as “ a solar company worth watching closely. It stands out for its novel method of concentrating sunlight onto tiny solar cells to deliver photovoltaic modules with cutting-edge efficiency and the potential to significantly lower the cost of generating solar electricity.”

Joe Carr, CEO at Semprius, obviously liked the recognition.

“This recognition by MIT Technology Review validates our ongoing efforts to lower the cost of renewable energy,” he said. “We anticipate a busy year filled with innovation and the continued expansion of our production facility to meet the increasing demand for our solar modules.”

ABB, Novartis, IBM

  • ABB does a great deal of smartgrid research in the Triangle, and MIT praises the company for its efforts:

“Perfecting a circuit breaker for high-voltage DC lines—a crucial step for widespread use of renewable energy.”

  • IBM, which employs some 10,000 people across North Carolina, is recognized for advances in computing.

“Pushing the physical boundaries of computing with technologies including circuits that transmit data with light.”

  • Novartis, which operates a huge vaccine manufacturing plant as well as a R&D center in Holly Springs, was cited for drug development technology:

“Developing a continuous drug-manufacturing process that could combine compounds quickly and in novel ways.”