Mitsubishi Materials to participate in a NEDO project to develop materials for improved perovskite solar cells

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation has announced its participation in the Green Innovation Fund Project/Development of Next-Generation Solar Cells by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), as a company commissioned by EneCoat Technologies, which it finances through the MMC Innovation Investment Limited Partnership.

EneCoat Technologies, a startup originating from Kyoto University, is working on the development of perovskite solar cells and is attempting to replace the lead contained in perovskite solar cells with an alternative material. Mitsubishi Materials Corporation financed EneCoat Technologies and is examining collaboration with Enecoat regarding technologies that will contribute to improving the durability of perovskite solar cells and development of the peripheral materials required for eliminating lead.

In the course of these developments, EneCoat Technologies has recently been selected for the Project based on the theme "development of technology for the practical application of perovskite solar cells featuring a high degree of installation freedom." Towards adopting solar power generation in places where installation of the existing types of solar cells has not been possible, such as for example on the roof of a small factory or a wall of a building with low load capacity, the Project aims to achieve the practical application of perovskite solar cells, which not only realize weight reduction and provide sufficient flexibility for installation on curved surfaces of buildings but also compare favorably with existing types of solar cells in terms of performance including conversion efficiency and durability.

The participation in the Project will focus on the development of peripheral materials to reduce costs and improve performance for the purpose of facilitating the wide use of perovskite solar cells.