Power Roll

Power Roll is a UK-based company developing a disruptive, low-cost and lightweight flexible solar film for energy generation. The company was co-founded in 2012 as Big Solar Limited by Saul Joicey and Chief Scientist Dr. John Topping, who invented the core technology. Topping's idea was to adapt the high-speed, low-cost roll-to-roll manufacturing processes used for food packaging to create solar modules.

The company's patented technology utilizes microgrooves, structures smaller than a human hair, embossed onto a flexible PET substrate. This architecture, combined with perovskite materials, allows for the creation of solar film that is lightweight, flexible, and can be produced without expensive components like Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCO) or scarce earth materials. The manufacturing process is designed for high-speed, roll-to-roll production, which is projected to make the film's manufacturing cost significantly lower than other flexible solar technologies. This approach also results in a carbon footprint up to 20 times lower than conventional silicon PV.

Power Roll's business model is centered on commercially licensing the manufacturing process to partners internationally, rather than solely manufacturing the film itself. The company targets applications where traditional heavy, rigid solar panels are unsuitable, such as non-load-bearing commercial rooftops, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), transport, agricultural technology, and off-grid locations. The firm has established a pilot manufacturing plant in County Durham to demonstrate the technology and plans to build the UK's first gigafactory for solar film. To date, Power Roll has raised $32.8M in funding over 8 rounds from investors including Maven Capital Partners, the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, and Greenwood Way Capital.

Keywords: flexible solar film, perovskite solar cells, roll-to-roll manufacturing, microgroove technology, lightweight solar, low-cost solar, solar energy generation, off-grid solar solutions, building-integrated photovoltaics, sustainable energy, renewable energy, energy technology, solar film licensing, clean energy, capacitor technology, PET substrate, solar manufacturing, green energy, patented solar technology, energy transition