First Graphene Limited, Greatcell Energy Limited (trading as Halocell Energy), and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have announced a collaboration following the receipt of a Cooperative Research Centres Project (CRC-P) grant of just over AU$2 million.

The grant was awarded under Round 14 of the Australian Government’s CRC-P collaborative research funding stream and will support the project over three years.

The project aims to commercialise ultra-low-cost, flexible perovskite solar cell fabrication using Halocell’s roll-to-roll (R2R) production process at its Wagga Wagga plant.

Scalable fabrication would help meet an anticipated 31 per cent compound annual growth rate in the perovskite solar cell market, estimated to be valued at US$7.38 billion by 2030.

Among key project outcomes will be First Graphene’s development of cost-effective graphene-based electrode replacements for high-cost conductor materials, such as gold and silver, used in cell production.

Cells made with alternative carbon-based materials have been found to outperform conventional silicon cells in low and artificial light conditions, including indoor environments, in relation to generating and supplying power for niche applications.

Halocell Energy has already had success utilising carbon electrode materials such as graphene in its perovskite cells, increasing efficiency by up to 38 per cent and reducing production cost by over 83 per cent.

First Graphene’s focus in this project will be on the research, development and provision of graphene formulations to produce the material ink used in perovskite solar cell manufacturing with suitable dispersion, low toxicity and high conductivity characteristics.

The company will provide R&D resources including labour, equipment, laboratory space, formulation and testing expertise to produce optimum graphene systems, with a view to scale up and supply graphene products in the latter phases.

QUT will provide expertise in material development, facilities for advanced material characterisation and testing, and assistance in developing the R2R process for perovskite cells and module production.

First Graphene Managing Director and CEO Michael Bell said: “Our collaboration with Halocell Energy and QUT will help develop new materials and processing technology for high performance perovskite solar cells, opening the door for high-tech commercial materials and manufacturing of cell components in Australia.

“Validation of these graphene-based materials will help build a strong business case for full-scale commercial production of both perovskite cells and the materials needed to make them in large volumes.