Quantum dot nanotechnology firm UbiQD has signed an unique, multi-year settlement to provide its proprietary fluorescent quantum dot expertise to First Solar. This is able to enable for the incorporation of quantum dot expertise into First Photo voltaic’s thin-film photo voltaic panels.
The 2 firms have been working together since 2023 on collaborative photo voltaic designs. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles that exhibit high-efficiency photoluminescence over a variety of tunable colours, making them efficient at optimizing mild spectra.
“It is a turning level for the quantum dot trade with this primary excessive quantity QD provide settlement outdoors of show,” stated Hunter McDaniel, PhD, founder and CEO of UbiQD. “This partnership showcases how U.S. innovation and manufacturing can ship differentiated efficiency particularly at a time when making breakthroughs in effectivity and supplies is extra very important than ever. First Photo voltaic has been a wonderful companion, and collectively we’ve demonstrated not simply efficiency advantages, but in addition the cost-effectiveness and scalability of our supplies for photo voltaic spectrum optimization.”
UbiQD’s proprietary quantum dot expertise was initially developed at U.S.-based analysis establishments Los Alamos Nationwide Laboratory and M.I.T. When included into photo voltaic panel encapsulation, QDs can greater than double the bifacial quantum effectivity of sunshine conversion for particular wavelengths/colours — a essential edge as photo voltaic producers compete globally on efficiency and worth.
“At utility-scale, even incremental positive factors in bifaciality translate into vital real-world impression on power yield,” stated Markus Gloeckler, chief expertise officer, First Photo voltaic. “We’re excited concerning the potential for quantum dot expertise to contribute significant positive factors to the efficiency of our bifacial modules.”
Whereas First Photo voltaic’s cadmium-telluride (CdTe) thin-film panels haven’t historically been produced in bifacial designs, the corporate’s Series 6 module can are available in a dual-glass bifacial form.
UbiQD plans to construct one of many highest quantity QD manufacturing services on the earth, in New Mexico within the coming yr.
