Midsummer to work on a project titled Quantum Dot Enhanced Lightweight Solar Cells aimed at exceeding the performance of silicon-based cells. (Photo Credit: Midsummer) 
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Midsummer Secures €2.8M Grant Toward Tandem Solar Cells

Joins prestigious Italian consortium to pioneer next-gen solar technology

Meena Nair

  • Italy’s Ministry of University and Research chooses Midsummer

  • Midsummer to focus on developing Quantum Dot CIGS/Perovskite Tandem cell

  • The new cells aim to exceed the performance of traditional silicon-based cells

Swedish thin-film solar technology leader Midsummer has been selected by Italy’s Ministry of University and Research to take part in a high-level scientific consortium aimed at developing an advanced new type of tandem solar cell. The project, titled “Quantum Dot Enhanced Lightweight Solar Cells” (QDELS), will focus on creating a next-generation “Quantum Dot CIGS/Perovskite Tandem” cell that aims to exceed the performance of traditional silicon-based cells.

As part of the 4-year initiative, Midsummer will receive approximately €2.8 million in funding to support its research, including material and testing costs. The total project budget stands at €7.5 million. The consortium includes 2 other prominent Italian entities – Consorzio Hypatia and the National Research Council.

Midsummer operates a subsidiary in Italy, Midsummer Italia, which runs Europe’s largest thin-film solar cell production facility located in Bari. This facility has received a total of €22 million in grants, primarily from the Italian investment agency Invitalia. The newly launched R&D project on tandem solar cells is entirely independent of the Bari factory and its associated funding.