GreatCell Solar

Last updated on Mon 06/03/2023 - 15:57

Greatcell logo imageGreatCell Solar, formerly known as Dyesol, was an Australia-headquartered renewable energy supplier and leader in Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) technology. In 2018 the company went bankrupt.

Following the company's liquidation in 2018, Greatcell Solar Materials was spun-off to a separate entity. In addition, GreatCell's Solar equipment, IP and subsidiary in Italy were acquired by a newly formed company called Greatcell Energy.

GreatCell manufactured and supplied PSC materials and was dedicated to the successful commercialization of PSC photovoltaics. It is mainly focused on:

  1. Developing (and continuously advancing) a suite of thoroughly tested PSC chemicals, components and equipment used in the manufacture of PSC cells, modules and panels to researchers and industrialists;
  2. Providing turn-key and custom fabrication facilities for research, development and production of PSC photovoltaic devices; and
  3. Providing specialist training, consulting and engineering solutions for the application of PSC photovoltaic technology

One of GreatCell's main activities was the development and supply of photoactive materials, mostly for R&D. The company started offering perovskite materials around 2013.

GreatCell's main goal, however, was to develop perovksite-based solar panels. One example was the company's intensive research into steel substrates for solar panels. GreatCell was working on flexible steel-integrated panels (as part of SOLLIANCE) which had the potential to find a huge market in the warehouses and industrial buildings across Europe. In addition, GreatCell developed glass-based perovskite. The company aimed to establish Joint Ventures with solar panel makers for the creation of commercial production lines.

Company Address

3 Dominion Place (PO Box 6212)
Queanbeyan NSW
Australia

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The latest GreatCell news:

First Graphene, Halocell and QUT secure funding for perovskite PV project

Graphitic materials supplier First Graphene has announced an R&D collaboration with Greatcell Energy, trading as Halocell Energy, and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to commercialize perovskite solar cell fabrication. The project has received a Cooperative Research Centers Project (CRC-P) grant worth over AUD$2 million (around $USD1,300,000).

The research and development project is intended to commercialize ultra-low-cost, flexible perovskite solar cell fabrication using Halocell’s roll-to-roll production process at the company’s Wagga Wagga plant, First Graphene said in an announcement. Through the project, First Graphene plans to develop cost-effective graphene-based electrode replacements for high-cost conductor materials, such as gold and silver, used in cell manufacturing.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 04,2023

Greatcell Australia and First Graphene explore graphene enhancements to perovskite solar cells

It was recently reported that Greatcell Australia is working with graphene company First Graphene on graphene enhancements to perovskite solar cell technology.

Greatcell Australia has reportedly established a pilot plant in New South Wales and is in the advanced stages of testing its range of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with manufacturers around the world. “Greatcell is aiming to modularize their production lines for product flexibility, due in part to the easier assembly and reduced number of steps to produce PSCs compared to silicon solar cells.”

Read the full story Posted: Apr 04,2023

Perovskite solar cells show improved stability and renewable capability with the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer

Researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), University of Science and Technology of China, North Minzu University, Hefei University of Technology, Greece's Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN) and Australia's Greatcell Energy have developed perovskite solar cells with a self-recovery capability and high stability in humid environment by introducing polymer called polyvinylpyrrolidone.

The team has shown that polyvinylpyrrolidone, a long chain insulating polymer, could form hydrogen bonds with ions in the cells and also prevent moisture in the air from invading perovskite materials. The hydrogen-bonding-initiated self-healing repairs the decayed perovskite solar cell back to the original state, continue to work, and alleviate long-term cell instability.

Read the full story Posted: Dec 25,2021

Greatcell Solar announces bankruptcy

The Directors of Greatcell Solar have sadly announced that a decision was taken to appoint administrators to the Greatcell Solar group of companies following sustained, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempts to secure re-financing for its activities.

An array of 6 perovskite solar cells (GreatCell Solar)

Greatcell Solar Limited, Greatcell Solar Industries and Greatcell Solar Australia were placed into voluntary administration. The decision follows a series of unfortunate and unwelcome developments in recent weeks, including the untimely death of Chief Scientist, Dr Hans Desilvestro in a mountaineering accident on 10 November.

Read the full story Posted: Dec 11,2018

Greatcell Solar provides financial updates

Greatcell Solar has provided an update on matters relating to its current financial position.

Greatcell reports that significant progress has been achieved in recent weeks; An agreement has been reached with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) on variations to a previously signed funding agreement, which will result in a payment of $425,000 AUD (around $307,200 USD) to Greatcell.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 11,2018

Greatcell Solar sells 50% of its materials production division

Greatcell Solar ("GSL") has provided an update on matters relating to its current financial position. The Company has agreed to sell 50% of its materials production assets to Dr. Yanek Hebting, the current GSL production manager who has served in that role for over ten years.

The deal anticipates a future 100% transfer of the production assets upon the completion of payments totaling AUD $1 million (almost USD $718,000) by 30 September 2019 and additional payments for FY2020 and FY2021 based on future earnings.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 04,2018

EU establishes the MAESTRO project - a €4 million program for perovskite solar materials research

The European Commission has established a new research training network, led by the University of Bath, to make perovskites "truly exploitable" and make perovskite-based devices commercially viable. The new program, called MAESTRO, has been given €4 million in funding and has begun hiring researchers to gain new knowledge and provide innovation in the exploitation of perovskite materials.

A trans-European project, MAESTRO is an inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary network of 10 academic and seven industrial partners from nine EU and EU-Associated countries: the UK, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Israel and Switzerland.

Read the full story Posted: May 31,2018

Greatcell Solar awarded €500,000 in EU Horizon 2020 project

Greatcell Solar has been awarded €500,000 in a European Union Horizon 2020 project known as H2020-SGA-FET-GRAPHENE. The grant to Greatcell's application has occurred through its 100% Italian subsidiary, Greatcell Solar Italy, located in Rome.

The H2020 project is for the innovative development and the installation of a Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) 10m2 array in the Greek island of Crete and aligns closely with Greatcell's existing technology development plan. Much of the work involved will investigate advanced technology for higher efficiencies, longer life and improved encapsulation of PSC enabled glass substrates, investigating in particular the usage of Graphene in PSC solar cells.

Read the full story Posted: Apr 10,2018

GreatCell unveils its perovskite-based solar cells commercialization roadmap

GreatCell Solar recently released a fascinating commercialization schedule for perovskite solar cells, as part of the Company's quarterly report. The schedule includes two timelines, one for glass and one for metal.

GreatCell commercialization timeline image

The glass section has 2018 as the year in which pilot lines will be set up, and 2019 as a production target. The metal section sees 2018 as a year focused in prototypes, 2019 on pilot lines and 2020 as a production timeline goal. This seems to be an encouraging aim and hopefully the actual progress will live up to expectations. We will certainly stay updated!

Read the full story Posted: Jan 31,2018