Solar module maker Soliant Energy on Wednesday said it raised a $21 million second round of funding led by Convexa Capital. 

GE Energy Financial Services, along with return investors Nth Power, Rockport Capital Partners, and Trinity Ventures also participated in the funding round.

Soliant is working on more efficient and cheaper commercial rooftop solar modules, with the first of its products expected to ship in late 2009. The Monrovia, California, company also plans to open a 40 megawatt production plant at the same time. 

Soliant raised a $9 million first round, bringing its funding total to $30 million to date. 

Solar company Innovalight received funding as well. Leader Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank injected the Santa Clara,California-based solar cell manufacturer with $5 million in private equity and debt financing.

Innovalight differs from other solar manufacturers, though, by working with ink-based solar cells. Instead of keeping silicon as a wafer, the company liquidizes it, which Innovalight claims lowers manufacturing costs and boosts  efficiency.

“Innovalight pushes the envelope in the solar power industry with its proprietary technology,” Leader Ventures Managing Director Brian Best said. “Their unique approach … makes Innovalight a very strong contender in this hot market.”

The company raised $7.5 million in 2006 and $28 million in 2007 from backers that include Arch Venture Partners, Apax Partners, ATEL Ventures, Convexa Capital, Harris & Harris Group, Scatec AS, Sevin Rosen Funds, and Triton Ventures.