Solaires Entreprises is a Canadian solar energy startup that develops novel and cost-effective technology solutions that address compelling market gaps in solar energy harvesting. Among these are perovskite-based solar modules targeted for both outdoor light and indoor light, that are efficient, light, thin and made of readily available and low cost materials.
Solaires Enterprises' CEO, Dr. Sahar Sam, kindly agreed to have a chat with us, to elaborate on topics like the JV with Genesis Technologies called SEI Energy Technology (which recently announced the successful trial production of its perovskite modules from its mass production line), plans for the future and more.
Congratulations on this new JV called SEI Energy Technology, could you tell us about it?
Thank you! SEI Energy Technology is a new JV between Solaires and Genesis Technologies, and we're excited about what it means for the solar energy space.
At the core of SEI Energy is our shared goal to advance perovskite-based solar technologies. Solaires brings its Solar Ink™ and expertise in high-efficiency, cost-effective solar solutions fabrication, while Genesis contributes its manufacturing and operational know-how to scale up our technology globally.
Genesis is investing over $4 million USD to set up a top-tier manufacturing site, including specialized equipment, training, and daily operations. Together, we’ll create high-performance solar modules for both indoor and outdoor use.
This JV is more than just a partnership – it’s about driving innovation, sustainability, and global access to renewable energy. We can’t wait to share more as we move forward!
What is Solaires' part, or main contribution to the JV with Genesis Technologies?
Solaires’ primary contributions to the Joint Venture with Genesis Technologies lie in its expertise in photovoltaic innovation and technology development. As the creator of proprietary Solar Ink™ technology, Solaires supplies the advanced materials and designs that serve as the foundation for the manufacturing process. Additionally, Solaires contributes its deep knowledge of perovskite-based photovoltaic solutions, ensuring that the production methods deliver high-quality and efficient solar modules. By focusing on the research, development, and continuous improvement of its technologies, Solaires plays a key role in driving the Joint Venture's mission to bring next-generation photovoltaic products to market.
A few days ago, you announced the successful trial of perovskites modules, in a production line in China. Can you share some details on the panels produced in this trial run?
This trial marks a significant milestone for our company as we move closer to scaling production and delivering innovative solar solutions to the market.
PV modules are the core components of solar energy systems, designed to convert sunlight into electricity. They consist of multiple interconnected solar cells, which work together to generate power. Solaires’ perovskite PV modules are specially engineered to be lightweight, cost-effective, and highly efficient in converting “light” which includes sunlight and any indoor light. Generating electricity from indoor light makes these modules well-suited for low-power applications, such as powering smart home systems, wireless devices, e-ink displays, and other indoor technologies that require sustainable, renewable energy.
The successful trial run not only demonstrated the feasibility of manufacturing our perovskite PV modules but also helped refine our production processes. As we move forward, we are committed to scaling up production and making these advanced solar modules widely available for applications that harness indoor and ambient light. This trial marks the beginning of our broader strategy to scale manufacturing, with the goal of significantly increasing production capacity in the coming years.
Can you give us some details on the new production line and its capacity?
The new production line established through the Joint Venture is designed to scale efficiently and meet the growing demand for advanced solar solutions. In the first phase, the facility will have the capacity to produce 1 million standard-size PVModules per year, enabling us to deliver high-quality, perovskite-based solar products for a wide range of applications.
As operations expand and production capabilities are optimized, the second phase will scale the facility’s output to an impressive 10 million PVModules per year. This phased approach ensures that we can meet both current market needs and future demand as the adoption of our innovative solar technology grows.
This production line is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery tailored for manufacturing perovskite solar modules, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency. It marks a significant step toward making renewable energy solutions more accessible and advancing the global transition to sustainable energy.
What are SEI's goals for the near future, and when do you expect to reach mass production in the new line?
SEI Energy Technology’s goals for the near future focus on scaling production capabilities and expanding the adoption of our innovative solar solutions. Our immediate priorities include the successful establishment of the manufacturing facility, optimizing production processes, and delivering 1 million PVModules per year during the first phase of operations.
Looking ahead, we aim to scale up to 10 million modules annually in the second phase as demand grows. Alongside production, we are committed to ongoing research and development to enhance the efficiency, durability, and versatility of our solar technologies, including work on thin-film perovskite solar panels.
We expect to reach mass production capacity in the new line by early 2025, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality modules for both current and future applications. This timeline reflects our dedication to meticulous planning, operational excellence, and meeting the needs of the evolving renewable energy market.
What applications will SEI target with its perovskite panels?
SEI Energy Technology plans to target a range of applications with its perovskite panels, focusing on indoor and low-power solutions. The primary applications include smart home systems, wireless devices, e-ink displays, remote controls, and sensors, all of which require efficient, sustainable energy sources. As the technology progresses, SEI is also exploring the potential for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), where thin-film perovskite solar panels could eventually be integrated into indoor structures like windows and walls to generate power from ambient light. While outdoor applications and large-scale thin-film perovskite panels are not part of our immediate focus, they are areas we are planning to develop further down the road as we continue to innovate and expand our product offerings. By targeting indoor applications for now, SEI aims to provide sustainable, high-efficiency energy solutions for everyday environments.
Where do you see the perovskite industry and market in the next five years? What role will SEI take?
In the next five years, the perovskite industry is expected to experience significant growth and technological advancements. As research continues to enhance the efficiency, durability, and scalability of perovskite solar cells, we anticipate these technologies becoming increasingly competitive with traditional silicon-based solar cells, particularly in specialized applications like indoor energy generation, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and portable power solutions. The market for perovskite solar technologies is poised to expand as manufacturing processes become more cost-effective, and as governments and industries prioritize renewable energy solutions to meet sustainability goals.
SEI Energy Technology aims to be at the forefront of this transformation. In the next five years, we plan to not only scale up our indoor PV module production but also advance our perovskite technology for new applications, including flexible substrates and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Our role will be to drive innovation in indoor energy solutions, providing sustainable, high-efficiency solar power for low-energy devices. As we continue to develop our technology and expand our manufacturing capabilities, SEI will contribute to shaping the broader perovskite market, offering cutting-edge, flexible, and scalable energy solutions. Through our joint venture with Genesis Technologies, we are well-positioned to play a key role in the growing global transition to renewable energy, delivering impactful products that harness the full potential of perovskite-based solar technology.
Dr. Sahar Sam, CEO of Solaries Enterprises, has over 15 years of international industry and academic experience in R&D and implementing business and marketing strategies. She holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from Shiraz University and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Victoria. She has developed a novel technology in the nanofabrication process and assembly and has 3 patents.
