The Netherlands TNO has created a spin-off, Perovion Technologies, to commercialize lightweight, flexible perovskite solar cells produced on thin foils
Perovion plans to build a roll-to-roll factory for perovskite solar films in the Netherlands, with construction scheduled to begin in 2030
These can be installed on surfaces unsuitable for conventional solar panels, such as lightweight roofs, façades, vehicles, and historic buildings
Currently, the company seeks investors and industrial partners to scale production
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) has announced the creation of its spin-off company, Perovion Technologies. The new launch will industrialize lightweight and flexible perovskite solar cells with the world’s ‘1st’ roll-to-roll factory for perovskite solar films in the Netherlands.
Perovion manufactures cells on thin, flexible foils, akin to ‘printing a newspaper’, which can be installed on any surface where traditional, heavy solar panels can’t be used, including lightweight roofs, façades, vehicles, or historical buildings.
“After nearly ten years of research with TNO, SolarNL and Solliance, the technology is now ready for the next step toward industrial production. By producing perovskite solar cells on thin foils, we can apply solar energy to surfaces where traditional solar panels are not suitable,” said Perovion CTO Sjoerd Veenstra.
TNO credits the Dutch province of North Brabant for supporting the creation of Perovion Technologies through the Brabant Development Agency.
Since the production of these flexible solar cells involves less material and energy than conventional glass-and-silicon panels, TNO says manufacturing is faster, cheaper, and easily scalable.
Perovion CEO Stefan van de Beek said the company will initially target markets where there is already clear demand for flexible solar cells. Working with module integrators and industrial partners, it plans to develop applications that can reach the market quickly and then expand toward large-scale production in Europe.
Commercialization is not immediate, though, since construction on the announced fab is scheduled to begin in 2030.
Currently, it is seeking collaborations with investors and industrial partners in materials, machine manufacturing, and application development to scale its technology and build the initial production lines.
The company aims to work with partners that can help speed up market entry, industrial scaling, and support the growth of a strong European solar industry.
A research partner in the EU-funded PEARL Consortium, TNO recorded a 9.1% efficient fully roll-to-roll slot-die coated perovskite stack in 2025. Both VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and TNO also scaled roll-to-roll coating and patterning to larger formats, producing 36 cm² flexible mini-modules with 4.5% efficiency (see PEARL Consortium Reports 21.6% Perovskite Solar Cell Efficiency).
In March 2022, UK’s Power Roll opened the world’s ‘1st’ low-cost, lightweight, flexible solar film pilot production fab with roll-to-roll production technology (see Solar Film Manufacturing Fab Opens In UK).
