Large-scale demonstration of perovskite solar cells in harsh environments begins, aiming for practical application - Demonstration to be conducted on the deck of Yokohama Port's Osanbashi Pier until the end of January -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter Macnica) has begun a demonstration project on the deck of Osanbashi Pier in Yokohama City aimed at commercializing light, thin, and flexible film-type perovskite solar cells, which are attracting attention around the world as next-generation solar cells. This demonstration project aims to verify the durability and attachment/detachment methods that allow for easy replacement, which are some of the challenges in commercializing perovskite solar cells, and with support from the Ministry of the Environment, this will be the largest demonstration project in Japan.

About this demonstration project:
The "Technology Development (Commissioned) for the Use of PSCs in Harsh Environments Such as Ports" has been selected for the Ministry of the Environment's "Regional Co-creation, Cross-Sector Carbon Neutral Technology Development and Demonstration Project," and will be carried out as a three-year technology development and demonstration project starting in fiscal year 2023. Under the guidance of Professor Tsutomu Miyasaka of Toin University of Yokohama, the inventor of perovskite solar cells, this project is being promoted by three companies: Macnica as the representative company, Pexel Technologies Inc. (Head office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Tsutomu Miyasaka) and Reiko Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Junichi Iwai; hereinafter Reiko), which has thin-film processing technology and is responsible for the manufacture of perovskite.

About this demonstration:
In fiscal 2023, we will continue to develop PSC modules in severe salt damage environments, achieving a power generation efficiency of over 10% in the Osanbashi Pier demonstration, and demonstrating the PSC operation system in conjunction with salt damage investigations.
In FY2024, we will continue to work on further improving the efficiency of PSC modules and expanding their capacity, while also developing manufacturing technology for PSC modules using a production method (RtoR ^*) that enables mass production. In this Osanbashi demonstration, we will build a system of emergency power supply size using PSC modules manufactured using the RtoR method, and demonstrate the operation of the PSC power generation system outdoors on the deck of Osanbashi, which is an environment of heavy salt damage and strong sea breezes. In addition to verifying several types of PSC modules that are under development, we will also simultaneously verify and demonstrate the system configuration in anticipation of practical application. In this demonstration, we will verify a method for installing replaceable film-type PSC modules.

[Outline of this demonstration]
■Period: November 12th to January 31st
■ Location: Yokohama Port Osanbashi International Passenger Terminal Rooftop Plaza
■Characteristics:
① Conduct outdoor perovskite demonstrations on a large scale (planned to install approximately 80 panels measuring 30cm x 1m)
- Different types of perovskite modules will be installed in sequence to conduct comparative verification
- The final generating capacity is expected to be around 1kW
② To confirm durability, we tested the sealing structure and film durability against salt damage and wind damage outdoors for about three months.
③ Implement and test a new mounting method that makes it easier to replace perovskite modules

*RtoR (Roll to Roll): A production method in which rolled materials are continuously supplied to a production line, processed, and wound into a roll to produce a product. This method is highly productive, with low cost, mass production, and stable processing, as it allows for seamless and stable processing.

(Reference) Previous press releases related to this matter
https://www.macnica.co.jp/public-relations/news/2023/144306/

*Company names and product names mentioned in this text are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macnica and each company.
*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.