24 April 2018

Saule offering licences on perovskite solar window technology

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

After in January announcing what was said to be the first commercial contract in perovskite-based building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) – in which Sweden-based Skanska (one of Europe’s biggest construction companies) will implement semi-transparent perovskite solar cells into office buildings – Saule Technologies of Warsaw, Poland has issued an open call for companies interested in licence agreements for Middle Eastern countries.

Saule is now offering flexible licence-based cooperation opportunities for companies active in the Middle East, available for entities interested in the development, distribution and integration of Saule’s solar cells in BIPV applications.

The subject of the licence is an opaque PV product with high energy conversion efficiency that can be integrated with building facades, and an efficient, translucent perovskite cell (‘solar window’) in any color. A conditional licence (exclusive licence and non-exclusive licence) for the use of any future product can be granted for a chosen country or group of countries not covered by the licence agreement with another entity.

“Our technology has advanced to a perfect stage now for our customers to take part in the product development process to make sure we meet all their needs and expectations,” says co-founder & CEO Piotr Krych. “The goal is to cooperate with companies with a long-term renewable energy strategy, including solar energy harvesting technologies.”

Saule has been working since 2014 on the application of ink-jet printing for the fabrication of free-form perovskite solar modules, allowing the shapes and areas covered by each layer to be customized according to requirements. The stability and water resistance of the modules makes them suitable for the construction industry, the firm says. Saule is cooperating with universities in the UK, Israel, Germany, Italy and Spain on researching perovskite applications in solar energy harvesting and optoelectronics. To meet conditions concerning the encapsulation of perovskites, Saule is leading a project for the ultra-high barrier film with Ergis Group, which produces rigid plastic films. With a Japanese investor on board, along with support from the Polish National Centre for Research and Development and several research grants worth more than €20m, Saule is now working on a large-scale, prototype production line.

“We find Middle East as one of the most promising regions for BIPV applications of our product,” says Krych. “The latitude works obviously in favor of solar technology development and makes it one of the most desirable renewable energy sources there,” he adds. “We also noticed activities of local governments investing in solar energy development as a part of a long-term strategy of shifting from fossil fuels.”

Companies interested in licence-based cooperation opportunities are invited to contact Saule for specific details for a chosen country and terms and conditions of future cooperation.

Tags: Thin-film PV

Visit: www.sauletech.com