Perovskia Solar powers IoT sector with new funding and innovative solar technology

(IN SHORT) Perovskia Solar, a spin-off of Empa, has raised over two million Swiss francs in seed funding and has signed deals with over a dozen major IoT companies. Specializing in custom-printed perovskite solar cells, the company aims to provide sustainable energy solutions for a variety of electronic devices, including smartwatches and keyboards. These solar cells can operate indoors and significantly extend battery life or eliminate the need for batteries altogether. With a new production facility in Aubonne, Perovskia plans to print one million solar elements per year, providing it with rapid growth in the energy harvesting market for IoT applications.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 25-09-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Perovskia Solar, an innovative spin-off from Empa, has made significant progress in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector, acquiring over ten prominent customers and securing over two million Swiss francs in seed funding. Specializing in custom-printed solar cells, the company’s technology is designed to efficiently power a wide range of electronic devices – even indoors.

With the average person owning about seven electronic devices, demand for sustainable charging solutions is growing. Perovskia Solar is leading the way with custom solar cells that can eliminate battery dependence or significantly extend battery life. “The IoT energy harvesting market is poised for explosive growth, potentially reaching several billion dollars.” Anand Verma, CEO of the company, noted“Our designer solar cells make it easy to integrate solar power into almost any device.”

Perovskia Solar pioneered the first perovskite solar cells suitable for gadgets such as smartwatches and keyboards, addressing the limitations of traditional silicon cells, which are often expensive and inefficient in low-light conditions. “Our ability to print custom-sized solar cells at low cost, combined with their high efficiency, enables them to effectively power a variety of internal devices,” Verma explained.

The company’s advanced energy-harvesting technology, developed over several years at Empa, has resulted in a market-ready solution aimed at improving industrial and home appliances. Perovskite materials are known for their exceptional light absorption and electrical conductivity, although previous stability issues have hampered their large-scale implementation. Verma spent five years perfecting the printing processes before launching Perovskia in 2020.

With the recent establishment of a production facility in Aubonne, Vaud, Perovskia Solar aims to print one million perovskite components per year. The company is currently working with various international partners in the field of IoT and consumer electronics, supported by the support of Kickfund, Venture Kick and a coalition of business angels led by investors Nils Hagander and Beda Rohner“Perovskia is well-positioned to lead the development of next-generation IoT devices” Hagander noted.

Prof. Dr. Frank Nüesch
Functional polymers
Phone +41 58 765 4740
[email protected]