A new international project, POP-PV (Process Optimization & Production Readiness for Next Generation Solar PV Manufacturing), has launched under the 8th SMART Advanced Manufacturing Call, with national funding from Innovate UK and Vinnova. The consortium brings together Power Roll (UK), Dyenamo (Sweden) and the University of Sheffield (UK) to tackle the manufacturing and materials challenges still standing in the way of commercializing perovskite solar cells.
The project centers on advancing Power Roll's patented micro-groove solar film technology, an ultra-lightweight alternative to conventional silicon solar panels designed for commercial and industrial rooftops and building facades that current PV systems can't serve. Many warehouses, factories and commercial buildings remain unsuitable for conventional glass-panel PV due to structural load limits, installation complexity, performance issues or cost, and Power Roll's film is aimed at opening up that underused space to solar power generation.
A core objective of POP-PV is improving the stability, manufacturability and scalability of the underlying perovskite technology. The project will investigate self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) - interface materials that can enhance device performance, improve long-term durability and support high-volume manufacturing - as part of the technical milestones needed to move Power Roll's technology from pilot-scale development to commercial deployment.
Within the consortium, Power Roll will lead development and scale-up of the manufacturing processes, Dyenamo will develop and scale production of the perovskite and interface materials, and the University of Sheffield will evaluate and optimize candidate materials and device performance. The partners frame the collaboration as a way to strengthen the European supply chain for next-generation solar technologies while accelerating the path to commercial production, and to reinforce Power Roll's position as a UK-based manufacturing innovator that could license, partner and scale internationally through capital-light commercial models. The project also aims to support more sustainable PV manufacturing by reducing dependence on critical raw materials and exploring alternative solvent systems for large-scale production.
Dr Dave Barwick, Program Manager at Power Roll, said: "POP-PV brings together leading expertise in solar manufacturing, materials development and device engineering to address key barriers to the commercialization of lightweight perovskite solar technology. Through this collaboration, we aim to accelerate the development of solar solutions for buildings that cannot support conventional PV systems."
Henrik Pettersen, CEO of Dyenamo, said: "Perovskite solar cell technologies have turned out to be highly specific when it comes to materials. Different device concepts and manufacturing technologies require unique, optimized material solutions. Our experience has shown that close interaction between device manufacturers and material partners is a winning combination to address these challenges. Dyenamo therefore welcomes this targeted collaboration with Power Roll and Sheffield."
David Lidzey, Professor at the University of Sheffield, added: "My research group at Sheffield have collaborated with Power Roll for many years and we have developed an excellent partnership. I'm therefore delighted to be part of this consortium which looks to develop new materials and deposition protocols for application in microgroove devices."
