Australia’s Halocell taps First Graphene for indoor perovskite solar cell coating

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Using graphene could eliminate the need for precious materials such as silver and gold in the manufacturing process. Image: First Graphene (Albert Lozano).

Graphene manufacturer First Graphene revealed a supply agreement yesterday (27 September) with Australian perovskite solar cell manufacturer Halocell Energy to provide a new coating product.

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, First Graphene will supply its PureGRAPH product for incorporation into Halocell’s perovskite solar PV cells. According to the companies, this coating grants enhanced light-absorbing qualities and helps the company scale up commercial production.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Specifically, the coating will likely be used in Halocell’s upcoming indoor perovskite solar PV cell module, its first commercially available product. This module can charge various small electronic goods with renewable energy.

Graphene is an alternative option for solar cells with various enhancement features. For instance, due to graphene’s exceptional electrical conductivity and thermal properties, there is good potential for improved energy conversion efficiency. 

Because of this, the graphene-enhanced modules are five times more efficient than conventional silicon solar cells, the manufacturer claimed. First Graphene also said that these solar cells are more cost-effective and can reduce manufacturing costs by over 80%, eliminating high-cost conductor materials such as gold and silver.

Halocell claimed the release of its first commercially available indoor perovskite solar cell module is imminent.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) is aiming to support the development of ultra-low-cost solar in the country to aid its renewable energy expansion. ARENA argues that a ‘30-30-30’ approach to solar, representing 30% solar module efficiency and an installed cost of 30 cents per watt by 2030, could help Australia become a renewable energy superpower. This would also mean achieving a levelised cost of electricity below AUS$20 (US$13.75) per megawatt hour by 2030.

The graphene formulations will allow for the use of roll-to-roll dispersion, which is a fast, scalable, and cost-effective production technique for making PV solar cells. This technique is being researched and developed via a collaboration between First Graphene, Halocell Energy, and Queensland University of Technology.

Paul Moonie, CEO of Halocell Energy, hailed the supply agreement with First Graphene, stating that it marks a “significant step forward for Halocell in developing cutting-edge PV 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 game-changer for the solar industry in Australia,” Moonie added.

Read Next

September 9, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Nextracker has acquired Origami Solar, a steel frame technology-focused company, for approximately US$53 million. 
September 9, 2025
Australia's National Electricity Market (NEM) broke records yesterday when renewables supplied 76.4% of total electricity demand, with solar power contributing nearly 60% of the record-breaking clean energy mix.
September 8, 2025
Euclid Power has raised US$20 million Series A round led by Venrock to develop AI-driven platform and services for renewables. 
September 8, 2025
Elmya Energy and Atlantica have formed a joint venture to develop 4GW of utility-scale renewable energy projects in the US. 
September 8, 2025
Vikram Solar has won a 336MW module supply agreement from L&T Construction for the 2.3GW Khavda solar park in Gujarat. 
September 8, 2025
A green energy auction in the Philippines has secured 9.4GW of renewable energy capacity subscriptions, of a target of 10.65GW.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines