Our Technology

NEXT GENERATION SOLAR TECHNOLOGY

Roll-to-Roll Perovskite

As one of the fastest growing and most promising innovations in the solar energy sector, we believe perovskite solar cells are leading the way toward a more sustainable energy future. That's why we are committed to commercialising this cutting-edge technology through advanced roll-to-roll production techniques. With this approach, we can 'print' solar cells capable of harnessing energy in a variety of lighting conditions, even where it hasn’t been viable in the past.

We have developed our ambient PV range specifically for low-light conditions for use with small electronics and IoT devices

As global leaders in next-generation solar technology, we've achieved a ground breaking milestone with a world-record efficiency of 38.5% in low-light conditions (1000 lux). This remarkable performance opens the door to powering small electronics and IoT devices with reliable and renewable energy, even in dull or artificial lighting.

By focusing on specially tuned ambient solar cells, optimised for low indoor light, we can make a difference by providing a more efficient, sustainable, consumer-friendly solution. This innovation has the potential to eliminate millions of disposable batteries, reducing e-waste and supporting a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.

A Halocell Ambient Solar Module powering LED's arranged in a Heart shape.

We use perovskites because we believe they are a key element for the future of solar PV and global energy

Perovskites are a class of compounds with the same crystal structure (ABX₃). They can be made from a variety of elements, but the structure was originally found in a mineral called calcium titanate (CaTiO₃). A large number of metallic elements are stable in the perovskite structure, and there are thousands of known perovskites with different properties. They have been used since the 1950s in sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging) applications.

In 2009, researchers discovered that some perovskite materials were excellent at absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity. A tuneable band gap makes perovskite PV cells extremely efficient in a wide range of lighting conditions, including artificial, natural, direct, and indirect light.

Perovskite efficiencies now match silicon in full sun and produce more energy throughout the day, as they continue to generate power from dawn to dusk, and under cloudy conditions. Perovskites are 100x thinner than traditional silicon solar PVs, flexible, lightweight, and can even be made partly transparent. This makes them suitable for a variety of surfaces and structures, where traditional PVs haven’t been viable.

The low-temperature manufacturing process, including roll-to-roll printing, enables perovskites to be produced quickly and in high volumes. This keeps the cost down, with perovskite cells being approximately three times cheaper than traditional silicon cells. Compared with silicon and other solar PV technologies, perovskite PVs are better for the environment due to their low-temperature manufacturing process(120°C vs. over 1,000°C for silicon) and the potential for more cost-effective recycling methods.

The future of renewable energy is printed!

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employ roll-to-roll manufacturing, a process that has the potential to be rapidly scaled up for widespread deployment. This continuous, high-throughput process allows for coating flexible substrates with thin films of solar cell material. With deposition speeds potentially reaching hundreds of meters per minute, as demonstrated in film coating industries, roll-to-roll could facilitate low-cost, high-volume production of PSCs for large-scale deployment. Even with more moderate line speeds, this approach would offer significant cost advantages over traditional methods, making it possible to produce PSCs on a gigawatt (GW) scale.

A Halocell team member working on our Roll-to-Roll maschine

In contrast, the batch-based production of silicon solar panels is slower and more resource-intensive, which limits its ability to meet the growing global demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

The fast-manufacturing process of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) not only helps counteract their relatively shorter longevity, compared to silicon panels, but also supports a quick integration of ongoing technology advancements. While current PSCs face faster degradation, compared to traditional silicon PVs on rooftops, rapid improvements in intrinsic stability, extrinsic encapsulation techniques, and fast replacement technologies will continuously extend their warranty. This fast-paced innovation and integration is a key strength of PSCs, enabling continuous enhancements in efficiency and durability, and negating the necessity to match the silicon longevity.

A Halocell team member working in the Lab

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