Sekisui

Researchers from Japan's Ritsumeikan University and Sekisui Chemical have studied the role of barrier films in shielding flexible perovskite solar modules from harsh environmental conditions. 

The research team utilized PSC modules made of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI₃), which were encapsulated with polyethylene terephthalate substrate with barrier films of varying water vapor transmission rates (WVTR). The PSC modules were subjected to a damp heat test, which utilized exposure of the modules to 85 °C temperature and 85% relative humidity. The conditions were set to simulate real-world outdoor conditions over extended periods.

According to reports, Sekisui Chemical, which recently invested in a 100 MW perovskite solar production plant, has announced its latest demonstration project at two sites owned by Japan’s MUFG Bank, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group. The project aims to both raise awareness of practical applications of perovskite solar PV technology and to further verify durability, weather resistance, and performance.

It seems that the project includes two installations, one located at MUFG Bank Oi Branch, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, featuring perovskite solar panels installed behind window panes at the entrance to power an outdoor display notice board, and a second site - a rooftop installation at MUFG Global Learning Center in Nishi-ku, Yokohama City where perovskite modules are installed alongside conventional silicon solar panels.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai), which operates the Tokaido Shinkansen Line, has announced plans to install perovskite solar cells on noise barriers along its tracks. The company expects to use electricity generated by these cells to power lighting at stations and other rail-related facilities. The noise barriers will cover about 650 kilometers of track.

Demonstration experiments will start at a research center in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, and elsewhere this month, using perovskite solar cells jointly developed with Sekisui Chemical.

Sekisui Chemical has announced it was selected for the GX Supply Chain Construction Support Project by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The company would like to play a central role in realizing the government's goal of establishing a gigawatt (GW) level supply system by 2030, and has therefore decided to make a capital investment with the aim of starting operation of a 100 MW manufacturing line in 2027, for producing lightweight perovskite solar panels, to be used initially for low load-bearing rooftops. 

The Company plans to take over the buildings of Sharp Corporation in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, and install perovskite solar cell manufacturing facilities to carry out manufacture and sales.

It was reported that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) have decided to support a demonstration project for perovskite solar cells conducted by Sekisui Chemical and Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (HD). 

The total project cost is estimated at about 18.3 billion yen ( just under USD$119,000,000), with approximately 12.5 billion yen (around USD$81 million) to be subsidized through the Green Innovation (GI) Fund project. The project will verify installation methods, construction methods, and mass production technologies that take advantage of the unique characteristics of perovskite solar cells.

Sekisui Chemical is reportedly considering acquiring part of Sharp Corp.'s plant in Osaka Prefecture, in order to use the facility to produce perovskite solar cells. The Company plans to commercialize these solar cells in 2025.

It was also said that Japan's industry ministry is likely to subsidize the project as it is expected to contribute to decarbonization.

Sekisui Chemical and TERRA recently announced that they have commenced the first joint demonstration test in Japan to install film-type perovskite solar cells for agrivoltaics (solar sharing) at Sosa City, Chiba Prefecture on August 2, 2024.

Sekisui Chemical has created a 30 cm-wide roll-to-roll manufacturing process utilizing its original “sealing, film formation, materials and process technology,” and has reportedly confirmed 10 years equivalent of outdoor durability, which is critical to the development of film-type perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, this manufacturing process has been successfully used to produce film-type perovskite solar cells with a power generation efficiency of 15.0%. Development is being accelerated to further improve durability and power generation efficiency, as well as to establish manufacturing technology for 1 m-wide rolls.

Last week, it was reported that the Japanese government estimates the need for electricity output to rise 35% to 50% by 2050 due to growing demand from semiconductor plants and data centers backing artificial intelligence (AI).  Now, Japan's industry ministry has said that it will launch a public-private group this month with the aim of commercializing perovskite solar cells, which are thin, light and bendable. The consortium will see 150 public and private entities, including local governments, working together to accelerate the adoption of flexible perovskite solar panels. 

Perovskite solar cells, which can be installed flexibly in various places, such as on walls, are believed to hold the key to Japan's push for renewable energy. As the first step, the consortium will set a target for perovskite cell capacity by 2040. Current projections point to 38.8 GW, with the possibility of exceeding the capacity of conventional solar panels (70 GW) in the next decade, reaching 84.2 GW in 2050.

According to reports, Japan's government plans to advance perovskite  flexible solar power panels through the country's feed-in tariff system, seeking to encourage investment in the technology. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to set the price of energy produced from perovskite cells at 10 yen (6 cents) per kilowatt-hour or more, higher than the current level for solar power, starting as early as fiscal 2025.

Light, flexible perovskite cells can generate electricity in places where traditional solar panel installation is not feasible, such as building walls and windows. The base technology is Japanese, and Japanese companies are involved in vigorous R&D with emphasis on quality and durability. At the same time, Chinese companies have begun mass production and are leading in commercialization.

Reports suggest that Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Denisa Sakova, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's Sekisui Chemical.

Sekisui Chemical is designing lightweight perovskite solar technology and aims to commercialize its flexible panels in 2025. “We are interested not only in working together on the expansion of this technology in Slovakia, but at the same time we also want to explore the possibilities of locating the production of such panels in our country,” said Sakova.