PERTPV · Project

Next-Generation Thin-Film Solar Panels Ready for Mass Production Lines

energyTestedTRL 5

pertpv.web.ox.ac.uk

Imagine solar panels made not from heavy silicon wafers but from a thin coating you can roll onto surfaces like printing a newspaper. That's what perovskite solar cells promise — cheaper materials, faster manufacturing, and potentially higher efficiency than today's panels. This project pushed that technology from small lab samples toward real mini-modules, hitting over 25% efficiency in single cells and aiming for 30% by stacking two layers together. They also tackled the practical stuff businesses care about: stability, recycling, and how to actually manufacture these at scale.

By the numbers

30%

Target power conversion efficiency for all-perovskite tandem cell

25%

Single junction cell efficiency target

22%

Current lab-scale power conversion efficiency at project start

100 cm²

Mini-module demonstrator area

20%

Single junction mini-module efficiency target

1000 hours

Stability at 80°C under 1 sun illumination

15%

Flexible single junction mini-module efficiency

Consortium partners across 8 countries

350 µm

Maximum dead area in cell interconnection region

The business problem

What needed solving

Today's solar panels are expensive to manufacture, limited to rigid formats, and approaching their theoretical efficiency ceiling around 26% for single-junction silicon. Companies in solar manufacturing, building integration, and portable power need thinner, cheaper, more efficient alternatives that can be coated onto flexible surfaces using high-speed production lines. The industry needs a step-change technology that breaks through silicon's constraints.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered 25% efficient single junction perovskite cells, 100 cm² mini-module demonstrators at 20% (single junction) and 23% (tandem) efficiency, a 15% efficient flexible mini-module, and 1 cm² tandem cells exceeding 25% efficiency. They also developed scalable coating processes for reel-to-reel manufacturing and completed life cycle and recycling analysis.

Audience

Who needs this

Solar panel manufacturers looking to add perovskite product linesBuilding-integrated PV companies developing solar facades and windowsCoating equipment manufacturers serving the thin-film industrySpecialty chemical suppliers producing photovoltaic precursor materialsEnergy utilities investing in next-generation solar farms

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Solar Module Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: PV module manufacturers looking to move beyond silicon

If you are a solar panel manufacturer facing rising silicon wafer costs and efficiency ceilings — this project developed perovskite thin-film technology achieving over 25% efficiency in single junction cells and targeting 30% in tandem configurations. The processing uses low temperature, fast coating methods compatible with sheet-to-sheet or reel-to-reel manufacturing, which could integrate into your existing coating lines.

Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

mid-size

Target: Facade and glass manufacturers adding solar functionality

If you are a building materials company wanting to offer energy-generating facades or windows — this project delivered flexible mini-modules at 15% efficiency and 100 cm² demonstrators at 20% efficiency. Unlike rigid silicon panels, these thin-film perovskite modules can be made flexible and semi-transparent, opening up surfaces that traditional solar cannot cover.

PV Equipment and Materials Supply

any

Target: Coating equipment makers and specialty chemical suppliers

If you are an equipment or materials supplier serving the solar industry — this consortium included a technology driver, materials supplier, and equipment supplier working together on scalable fabrication. The project validated large-area coating methods and new perovskite compositions with 1.2 eV and 1.85 eV bandgaps, creating demand for new deposition equipment and precursor chemicals.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would perovskite panels cost compared to current silicon solar?

The project states that perovskite building blocks are very low cost and processing uses low temperature, fast methods — promising a levelled cost of electricity (LCOE) below existing mainstream PV. Exact cost per watt figures are not provided in the available data, but the manufacturing approach (reel-to-reel coating) is inherently cheaper than silicon wafer processing.

Can this be manufactured at industrial scale?

The project specifically targeted scalable fabrication, developing sheet-to-sheet and reel-to-reel coating methods compatible with high volume manufacturing. They demonstrated 100 cm² mini-modules at 20% efficiency for single junction and 23% for tandem configurations, moving beyond lab-scale 1 cm² cells.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

The consortium includes the University of Oxford as coordinator along with 10 other partners across 8 countries, with 3 commercial partners. IP from an RIA (Research and Innovation Action) project is typically owned by the partners who generated it. Licensing discussions would need to go through the individual consortium members.

How long do these panels last? Are they stable enough?

The project reports stabilities exceeding 1000 hours at 80°C under 1 sun illumination, and one of their core goals was delivering a certifiably stable module technology. However, 1000 hours is still far from the 25-year warranties typical of commercial silicon panels, so further durability validation would be needed.

What about the lead content — is this safe and recyclable?

The project uses lead halide perovskites, which raises legitimate safety concerns. They addressed this directly by performing full life cycle analysis and developing a safe means for mass deployment and recycling of perovskite PV modules. Based on available project data, the recycling pathway was part of their deliverables.

Can these be integrated with existing solar installations?

Yes — the tandem approach stacks perovskite on top of other cells (including silicon) to boost efficiency beyond 25%. The project also explored all-perovskite tandems targeting 30% efficiency. This means perovskite can complement existing silicon technology as well as replace it in new thin-film formats.

Consortium

Who built it

The PERTPV consortium brings together 11 partners from 8 countries, led by the University of Oxford — one of the world's top perovskite research groups. The mix includes 5 universities, 3 research organizations, and 3 commercial partners covering the full value chain: a technology driver, a materials supplier, and an equipment supplier. With 2 SMEs and a 27% industry ratio, this is primarily a research-driven consortium but with enough commercial presence to ensure manufacturing relevance. The geographic spread across the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Finland, Lithuania, and Switzerland represents Europe's strongest solar research corridor.

THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORDCoordinator · UK
APEVA SEparticipant · DE
CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA - RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENTparticipant · CH
FACHHOCHSCHULE NORDWESTSCHWEIZ FHNWparticipant · CH
TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYparticipant · FI
UNIVERSITAT DE VALENCIAparticipant · ES
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNEparticipant · CH
FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIAparticipant · IT
OXFORD PHOTOVOLTAICS LIMITEDparticipant · UK
KAUNO TECHNOLOGIJOS UNIVERSITETASparticipant · LT

How to reach the team

The coordinator is the University of Oxford (UK). SciTransfer can facilitate introductions to the research team and commercial partners.

Order a report on this consortium See THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing perovskite PV technology or connecting with PERTPV's commercial partners? Contact SciTransfer for a tailored brief and introduction.

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