Empa Study Highlights Need for Early Industry Collaboration to Commercialize Next Generation Solar Cell Technologies

A solar cell made of perovskite. Thin-film technology enables the production of lightweight and flexible solar cells. Thanks to their two-layer tandem design, they can also capture more light than conventional silicon cells. Image: Empa

(IN BRIEF) Empa researchers and industry experts have analyzed the challenges involved in commercializing emerging solar cell technologies and concluded that earlier collaboration between research institutions and industry is essential for success. The study examined CIGS and perovskite thin-film solar cells, both of which achieve high efficiency in laboratory conditions but face challenges related to cost, scalability and long-term stability. The researchers emphasize that durability, reliability and manufacturability are more important for commercialization than efficiency records alone. While silicon solar cells continue to dominate the market, thin-film technologies are expected to complement them in applications requiring lightweight and flexible designs. Continued investment and stronger cooperation between academia and industry are seen as key to advancing these technologies toward large-scale adoption.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 24-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Empa researchers and industry experts have examined how emerging solar cell technologies can be successfully brought from laboratory research to commercial markets, concluding that closer and earlier cooperation between science and industry is essential. Their findings, published in Nature Energy, analyze the challenges facing innovative solar technologies and identify key risks that can prevent promising scientific advances from becoming viable products.

The Empa spin-off Perovskia Solar develops customized perovskite solar cells for the “Internet of Things.” Image: Perovskia Solar

Transforming scientific breakthroughs into commercial technologies often proves difficult due to challenges such as production costs, scalability limitations and competition from established products. The research team set out to determine what is required from both academic institutions and industry to ensure that new solar cell technologies can compete successfully over the long term.

The study focused on two promising thin-film solar technologies: copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) and perovskite. Both semiconductor materials demonstrate high efficiency in laboratory environments, converting a large share of sunlight into electricity and offering strong potential for sustainable energy production.

A thin-film solar cell made of CIGS. CIGS solar cells have repeatedly achieved efficiency records in the laboratory, including at Empa. Image: Empa

CIGS solar cells experienced rapid development during the 1990s and early 2000s, when high silicon prices encouraged the search for alternative technologies. The technology achieved significant efficiency milestones and attracted substantial public and private investment. However, commercialization slowed when manufacturing complexity and costs limited large-scale production, particularly after silicon prices declined. As a result, silicon solar cells retained their dominant market position.

Perovskite solar cells have been under development for approximately two decades and have also achieved high efficiency levels. They offer additional advantages such as flexible production methods, including potentially low-cost printing techniques. By 2025, global investment in perovskite solar technologies had exceeded $500 million. At Empa, research in this field has led to commercialization efforts through the spin-off Perovskia Solar, which develops tailored perovskite-based solutions for Internet of Things applications.

These tandem solar cells developed at Empa combine silicon with perovskite to increase efficiency. Image: Empa

Despite their promise, perovskite solar cells continue to face significant technical challenges. The materials currently show limited long-term stability and are sensitive to environmental conditions. Compared with CIGS technology, perovskite solar cells have also undergone relatively limited long-term testing under real-world operating conditions.

The researchers emphasize that improving efficiency alone is not sufficient to ensure successful commercialization. They recommend prioritizing durability, reliability and sustainable production methods, as these factors are critical for industrial adoption. Long-term field testing is also considered essential to demonstrate product performance over extended operating lifetimes.

The study highlights a disconnect between academic and industrial priorities. Academic research often focuses on achieving record efficiency levels, which attract funding and scientific recognition, while industry places greater value on product reliability, manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.

To address this gap, the researchers recommend closer collaboration at earlier stages of technology development. Increased transparency from industry, including sharing unsuccessful approaches, could also accelerate innovation by preventing duplication of past efforts.

Research institutions with strong links to industry are seen as particularly well positioned to support commercialization efforts. Funding mechanisms that support targeted product development are also considered important for advancing promising technologies.

Although challenges remain, the researchers remain optimistic about the future of thin-film solar technologies. Both CIGS and perovskite solar cells are viewed not as replacements for silicon technology but as complementary solutions suited to applications where traditional silicon cells are less effective.

Thin-film technologies enable lightweight, flexible and ultra-thin solar cells suitable for applications such as Internet of Things devices, mobility solutions and smart textiles. Tandem designs that combine silicon with thin layers of perovskite or CIGS are also being developed to further improve efficiency.

The researchers emphasize that continued investment in innovative solar technologies remains essential. While silicon solar cells have benefited from more than 70 years of development and optimization, similar progress could be achieved with perovskite and CIGS technologies through sustained research and stronger collaboration between academia and industry.

Media Contacts:

Dr. Mirjana Dimitrievska
Empa, Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces
Phone +41 58 765 45 32
mirjana.dimitrievska@empa.ch

Anna Ettlin
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 47 33
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: Empa