First Graphene has secured an agreement with Halocell Energy to supply graphene for the manufacture of perovskite solar cells.
The initial two-year agreement will result in First Graphene providing its PureGRAPH material to Halocell for use as a high-performing coating for perovskite solar cells. By incorporating PureGRAPH into its products, Halocell Energy hopes to expedite its manufacturing process and enhance light absorbing performance, which will enable the company to scale up commercial production to meet demand.
Halocell Energy is scheduled to release its first commercially available indoor perovskite solar cell module this
month, which can be used to charge small electronic goods, replacing disposable batteries. These graphene enhanced modules are said to be up to five times more efficient than conventional silicon solar cells. They are also more cost-effective, with Halocell Energy demonstrating graphene can reduce manufacturing and materials costs by over 80% as the need for high-cost conductor materials such as gold and silver are eliminated.
The graphene formulations will also allow the use of roll-to-roll dispersion, which is a rapid,
scalable, and low-cost production technique used to create the perovskite solar cells.
The roll-to-roll technique is also the subject of research and development work conducted in collaboration between First Graphene, Halocell Energy and Queensland University of Technology. In September 2023, the three organizations received A$2 million in funding from the Australian Government to support a three-year project investigating commercialization of this renewable energy technology.
First Graphene Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said: “This landmark agreement with Halocell Energy is a significant milestone for First Graphene as we officially enter the commercial perovskite solar cell industry. These locally manufactured products will change the way Australians leverage solar power in their home and improve Australia’s renewable energy performance as a whole.
Importantly, this agreement will open the door further for First Graphene to showcase the benefits of leveraging the unique properties of graphene to improve renewable energy technology. We are excited to embark on this venture with Halocell Energy and look forward to delivering the benefits of our PureGRAPH® products to energy consumers across the country.”
Halocell Energy CEO, Paul Moonie, said: “We are excited to announce this pivotal manufacturing supply agreement with First Graphene, which marks a significant step forward for Halocell in developing cutting-edge perovskite solar cells. By leveraging First Graphene’s advanced graphene formulations, we can optimise particle size and surface chemistry, enhancing the efficiency and scalability of our solar cells. The integration of these locally supplied materials into our roll-2-roll production process enables cost-effective, rapid manufacturing, which will be a gamechanger for the solar industry in Australia. This partnership not only strengthens our position as a leading innovator in the solar cell market but also aligns with our commitment to supporting domestic suppliers.”