Macnica and Okumura Corporation begin demonstration testing of waterproof sheet-integrated perovskite solar cells - Transforming vast unused slopes and embankments into renewable energy supply areas -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as "Macnica"), together with Okumura Corporation (Headquarters: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Takanori Okumura; hereinafter referred to as "Okumura Corporation"), announced today that they have begun a demonstration test to verify the power generation performance and durability of perovskite solar cells (hereinafter referred to as "PSC") by installing "perovskite solar cells integrated with water-blocking sheets" on a test embankment slope.The test will simultaneously suppress rainwater infiltration into the slope, preventing slope collapses, while also providing a disaster prevention function and solar power generation.

■Background
In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, expanding the introduction of renewable energy is an urgent issue. Solar power generation is expected to play an important role in this area, but the limited number of suitable sites is one obstacle. Furthermore, because Japan has a mountainous topography, recent heavy rains and earthquakes have caused frequent slope disasters, the main cause of which is the weakening of the ground due to rainfall seepage. Although disaster prevention measures have been implemented for such slopes, the current situation is that vast areas of slopes and other structures remain unused.

Macnica and Okumura Corporation have developed PSC integrated with a waterproof sheet (PSC provided by Macnica; waterproof sheet integration planned and managed by Okumura Corporation) by taking full advantage of PSC's thin, lightweight, and flexible film-like properties. Because PSC is in the form of a flexible film, it has the advantage of being easily installable on sloping or curved ground. Furthermore, the integration of PSC with a waterproof sheet improves disaster prevention capabilities, and as a module that can even generate power, it holds great potential in both the effective utilization of unused land and disaster prevention. The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of introducing PSC to unused slopes, such as large slopes on roads and embankments on the sides of roads, and to turn them into renewable energy supply areas.

Overview of this demonstration test
A mock embankment was created on the side of the road within the Okumura Corporation Technical Research Institute. A waterproof sheet integrated PSC was installed and the following items were verified:

Location: Okumura Technical Research Institute
●Verification items:
1. Power generation performance
- Power generation efficiency: Basic power generation efficiency of PSC under the installed environment
・Robustness (stable supply): Weather (amount of solar radiation, rain, etc.)
The ability of the power supply to respond to changes in
2. Durability
- Durability of PSC integrated structure: Long-term use and external environment (temperature,
Resistance to deterioration due to factors such as humidity, wind and rain
・PSC protection function: By integrating it with a waterproof sheet,
Resistance to moisture penetration into the PSC module

About Macnica 's Environmental Solutions Business
In addition to handling semiconductors, Macnica is working to solve environmental problems with various partner companies by utilizing cutting-edge technology from around the world. In the circular economy business, we are developing four businesses: "energy management," "energy saving management," "resource circulation management," and "environmental life management." By providing solutions that lead to solving customers' environmental problems, we will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and building a decarbonized society, and work to realize a sustainable society in the future.

For more information about Macnica 's circular economy business, please visit: www.macnica.co.jp/business/energy/

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