Renewables
New solar modules combine perovskite and silicon in the US
American manufacturers Heliene and Caelux have commenced commercial-scale production of a hybrid tandem solar module that integrates perovskite technology with traditional silicon.
Key points
- Heliene and Caelux begin commercial production of hybrid-tandem solar modules.
- The technology achieves up to 27% energy conversion efficiency.
- Manufacturing takes place at Heliene's facility in Minnesota.
What happened
CleanTechnica reported that US solar manufacturers Heliene and Caelux have launched commercial-scale production of a new hybrid-tandem solar module. Announced on November 10, the milestone brings perovskite-enabled solar technology into mainstream manufacturing with efficiencies reaching up to 27 per cent. The partnership pairs Caelux's specialized glass substrate with Heliene's established N-type silicon module platform.
Technology and manufacturing
Traditional solar panels rely heavily on silicon, which offers good conversion properties but requires complex and expensive manufacturing processes. Perovskite, based on a naturally occurring mineral, can be synthesized and applied through high-throughput, solution-based methods. However, raw perovskite is sensitive to humidity. To overcome this, researchers developed tandem solutions where a perovskite layer sits atop a silicon base, boosting efficiency without excessive costs. Caelux developed an energy-producing glass that can be integrated into existing production lines without requiring entirely new infrastructure.
Martin Pochtaruk, CEO and founder of Heliene, noted in a press statement that the collaboration unites two fully domestic supply chains to advance American-made solar power. Production is currently underway at Heliene's facility in Minnesota, with customer deliveries scheduled for 2027. Both companies have already set their sights on achieving 29 per cent efficiency in future iterations. Higher efficiency modules offer significant advantages for the renewable energy sector by generating more electricity from smaller spaces. This spatial efficiency reduces land-use conflicts, particularly in agricultural areas where large solar installations face local resistance, and opens up new possibilities for rooftop arrays, community solar projects, and floating installations.
Why it matters
For international energy investors and policymakers, advances in manufacturing techniques that integrate advanced materials into existing production lines signal a maturing solar market. Higher efficiency cells reduce the physical footprint of solar installations, mitigating land-use disputes and lowering balance-of-system costs such as hardware, labour, and transportation. As supply chains scale up domestically in major markets, innovations in tandem cell architecture provide a pathway for accelerated global deployment, influencing future manufacturing standards and improving the overall economics of the renewable energy transition.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
21.1% of electricity in Japan was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
