Hoku Scientific Inc., the Honolulu-based company that's selling a majority ownership interest to a Chinese company, said it has "recommenced in earnest" its construction of a $390 million polysilicon plant in Idaho.

Hoku said it hopes to test a reactor at the plant by the end of the year with plans calling for its first commercial shipment in the first quarter.

The company had shut down plant construction this summer as it searched for financing. It obtained funding to partially finish the plant last month in agreeing to give up a 60 percent ownership interest to Tianwei New Energy Holdings Co. Ltd.

Hoku said it wants to begin commercial deliveries before seeking another $71 million in funding to build out the plant to its full capacity. It said it expects to complete the plant in the second half of next year.

The company disclosed the timetable in reporting its net loss narrowed to $1.23 million, or 6 cents a share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30. That compared with a loss of $1.37 million , or 7 cents, a year prior. Hoku has reported losses in 11 of the past 12 quarters.

Hoku said revenue declined to $1.5 million from $1.64 million in the same quarter a year earlier. It said most of the revenue came from its photovoltaic installation business and related contracts.

Hoku also reported that it expects its deal with Tianwei to close in the next few weeks but wasn't more specific.