US DOE Launches $3M Perovskite Startup Prize to Accelerate Development and Commercialization of Lightweight, >28% Efficient Tandem Solar Cells

August 23, 2026

Department of Energy USA

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Solar Energy Technologies Office is accelerating perovskite solar cell development and manufacturing through a $3 million “American-Made Challenges: Perovskite Startup Prize” competition. This initiative aims to transition world-class research to U.S. startups, with winning teams receiving $700,000 in cash and $100,000 in technical support. Projects include developing lightweight, flexible perovskite modules and commercializing perovskite/silicon 2-terminal tandem solar cells with over 28% efficiency, strongly bolstering domestic innovation and industry growth.

In Depth

Key Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Solar Energy Technologies Office has launched the “American-Made Challenges: Perovskite Startup Prize,” a $3 million prize competition designed to significantly accelerate the development and manufacturing of perovskite solar cells. This pioneering initiative aims to effectively bridge the gap between world-class research and commercialization by supporting U.S.-based startups. Winning teams will receive $700,000 in cash and $100,000 in technical support vouchers, which are expected to fast-track the development of lightweight, flexible perovskite solar modules and the market introduction of perovskite/silicon 2-terminal tandem solar cells achieving efficiencies over 28%. This program represents a powerful push for domestic industry growth and technological innovation.

Technical Details

Projects supported by the “Perovskite Startup Prize” are specifically targeted at unlocking the full potential of perovskite solar cell technology. This includes the development of lightweight and flexible perovskite solar modules, which are crucial for opening up new application areas previously inaccessible to heavy, rigid silicon panels, such as Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and portable devices. A key focus is also on perovskite/silicon 2-terminal tandem solar cells, aiming for efficiencies exceeding 28%. This tandem design enables more efficient utilization of the solar spectrum, thereby achieving performance levels beyond the theoretical limits of single-junction solar cells. Participants are challenged to demonstrate advancements across material science, device architecture, and manufacturing processes to meet these ambitious performance targets.

Background and Industry Context

Perovskite solar cells are considered the front-runner for next-generation photovoltaic technology due to their high efficiency potential, low-cost manufacturing possibilities, and versatile physical properties, including thinness and flexibility. However, significant technical and funding hurdles exist in translating laboratory-scale achievements into large-scale commercial products. The DOE’s “American-Made Challenges” program is specifically designed to overcome these barriers and foster a robust clean energy technology innovation and manufacturing ecosystem within the U.S. This prize competition serves as a vital mechanism to support high-risk, early-stage research, enabling startups to gain market competitiveness and strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical renewable energy components.

Future Outlook

The success of the “Perovskite Startup Prize” is anticipated to have a profound impact on the growth of the U.S. perovskite solar cell industry. Winning teams and participating companies will leverage DOE funding and technical support to accelerate product development and scale up manufacturing capabilities. Lightweight and flexible modules will open new markets for solar power in sectors where it has been traditionally difficult to deploy, such as smart city infrastructure, off-grid power solutions, and even space applications. High-efficiency tandem cells exceeding 28% will contribute to reduced electricity costs and improved land-use efficiency, strongly supporting U.S. energy security and decarbonization goals. This program lays the groundwork for perovskite technology to become a central pillar of the clean energy revolution, driving sustained innovation and economic growth.

Source: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/systems/american-made-challenges-perovskite-startup-prize

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