U.S. DOE Unveils $3M Perovskite Startup Prize to Accelerate Domestic Commercialization

August 9, 2026

Department of Energy (DOE) USA

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the $3 million “Perovskite Startup Prize,” a two-stage competition designed to fast-track the commercialization of advanced perovskite solar cell technologies. This initiative aims to transition cutting-edge research into new American startups, fostering innovations in flexible modules, high-performance inks, and perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells. By accelerating domestic commercialization, the DOE seeks to strengthen U.S. leadership in the clean energy sector and overcome critical “valley of death” challenges.

In Depth

Background

Perovskite solar cells are recognized as a “next-generation solar cell” due to their high conversion efficiency and potential for low-cost manufacturing. However, realizing laboratory-scale achievements at an industrial scale involves numerous challenges, including material stability, manufacturing scalability, and market entry barriers. The U.S. DOE aims to establish American technological leadership in the clean energy sector and strengthen domestic manufacturing by supporting the commercialization of such emerging technologies. This represents a strategic investment for the U.S. to take the lead in the perovskite development race, where countries like China are currently ahead.

Key Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched the $3 million “Perovskite Startup Prize” to accelerate the commercialization of perovskite solar cell technology. This award aims to transition world-class research findings into new American startup companies, supporting the development of innovative technologies such as flexible modules, high-performance inks, and perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells. The prize provides tangible support to help companies navigate the challenging “valley of death”—the difficult commercialization phase that bridges laboratory breakthroughs to actual products.

Technical Details

The “Perovskite Startup Prize” is structured as a two-stage competition, providing support to participating companies based on their technological maturity. Specific technological areas include:

Flexible Modules: Development of lightweight, bendable perovskite solar cells suitable for diverse installation environments such as curved building surfaces and portable devices.
High-Performance Inks: Creation of more stable and efficient ink materials for forming perovskite layers, which are key to large-scale printing manufacturing technologies.
Perovskite-on-Silicon Tandem Cells: Technology for stacking a perovskite layer onto existing silicon solar cells to break through their efficiency limits. This approach offers high compatibility with current solar PV infrastructure, expected to accelerate market adoption.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The “Perovskite Startup Prize” is expected to bolster the perovskite solar cell ecosystem in the U.S. through the creation of new companies and the acceleration of technological innovation. The provision of funding and technical assistance mitigates the financial and technical risks faced by startups, reducing their time-to-market. This initiative is anticipated to bring high-efficiency, durable, and cost-effective perovskite products to market, contributing to the broader adoption of solar power and the diversification of the energy mix.

Source: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/american-made-challenges-perovskite-startup-prize

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