Tandem PV, a company at the forefront of next-generation solar technology, has received a $4 million grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to support the commercialization of its high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar panels. This funding will enable the company to conduct comprehensive third-party testing and validation of its technology as it moves closer to full-scale deployment and domestic manufacturing.
Tandem PV’s solar panels are built using a dual-layer structure that combines a thin layer of perovskite, a material known for its excellent light absorption, with traditional silicon solar cells. This advanced design enhances energy output while reducing overall solar energy costs. The panels currently reach an impressive 28% efficiency and produce up to 30% more power than conventional silicon-based panels, making them some of the most powerful and efficient in development globally.
The grant from the CEC will be used to assess the panels’ performance under real-world conditions through partnerships with independent laboratories and technical institutions. The testing will focus on long-term durability, environmental resistance, and consistent energy generation. These evaluations will complement Tandem PV’s internal laboratory results, which have already demonstrated strong efficiency levels and long-term performance stability.
Colin Bailie, Founder and CTO, Tandem PV, stated, “This award accelerates our durability testing to bring us closer to delivering a new standard for clean energy and delivering high-efficiency solar that’s proven, reliable, and ready for the market. We’re grateful to the California Energy Commission’s leadership in investing in the technologies that will power the country’s clean energy future.”
Scott Wharton, CEO of Tandem PV, stated, “California has long been a global leader in solar innovation, and we’re proud to be part of the next chapter. This support from the CEC signals strong momentum for tandem solar technology and helps ensure that the next wave of clean energy breakthroughs are developed and manufactured here in the U.S.”
This grant follows an earlier award of $5.2 million that Tandem PV received from the U.S. Department of Energy in late 2024. That funding was part of the DOE’s thin-film solar initiative and is being used to scale up the manufacturing and commercialization of the company’s tandem solar panels. Together, these grants reflect growing confidence in Tandem PV’s technology and its potential to play a key role in making solar energy more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective. The company’s innovations support broader goals of U.S. energy independence and decarbonization, especially as it ramps up domestic production of advanced solar solutions.
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