Qcells to invest USD 100m as part of race for perovskite tandem cells

Solar products maker Qcells, a subsidiary of Seoul-based Hanwha Solutions Corp (KRX:009830) with German roots, today unveiled a USD-100-million (EUR 91.9m) investment in a pilot line aimed at speeding up the commercialisation of perovskite-based tandem cells.

Hanwha Solutions will build the pilot line at its Jincheon factory in South Korea, with the start of operations targeted by late 2024 and tandem cell commercialisation by 2026. The new facility will work with Qcells’ headquarters for technology and innovation in Thalheim, Germany, where the company already operates a R&D pilot line for tandem cells. Qcells also participates in the PEPPERONI research project, which seeks to advance the development of tandem cells in Europe.

“With global R&D network spanning from Korea, Germany and the US, Qcells will ramp up its efforts to produce high-efficiency advanced tandem cells,” stated Qcells chief executive Justin Lee.

Perovskite tandem cells promise substantially higher solar panel efficiency. Earlier this year, Qcells achieved a tandem cell efficiency rate of 29.3% in collaboration with Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin.

In a sign that the interest in perovskite tandems is growing, US thin-film photovoltaics (PV) maker First Solar Inc last week announced the acquisition of Swedish perovskite specialist Evolar AB to accelerate its efforts to develop tandem technology.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.919)

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