Solaicx, a Santa Clara, California company that has developed a new silicon manufacturing process aimed at increasing the efficiency of solar cells, has added a solar industry veteran to its board of directors.

Harry Shimp was president of Solarex when it was acquired by BP in 1999 and became CEO of BP Solar. He joins the advisory board that also includes investment heavyweights Ken Pearlman of Firsthand Capital and Michael Schwab Big Sky Partners.

As previously reported, Solaicx is going into mass production of its solar cell technology with a new plant in Portland, Oregon.

Other solar cell startups might have a hard time finding investors, according to a report on EDN. Analyst firm The Information Network says the long wait between investment and plants going into production is scaring off some investors.