Tandem PV, a US solar panel manufacturer, has completed the acquisition of Oregon‑based thin‑film coating specialist nexTC Corporation, a move intended to internalise a vital step in the fabrication of perovskite–silicon tandem solar modules as the company readies itself for commercial‑scale production.
Why the purchase matters
Perovskite‑silicon tandems stack two different light‑absorbing layers to extract more energy from sunlight than conventional silicon cells. A reliable, repeatable thin‑film coating process is central to producing these layers at scale. By bringing nexTC’s technology and expertise into its own operations, Tandem PV is securing direct control of a manufacturing process that has been challenging to scale outside laboratory settings.
What was acquired
The deal transfers nexTC’s thin‑film coating capabilities to Tandem PV. According to the announcement, the aim is to integrate that capability into the company’s manufacturing chain as it moves toward full‑scale commercial output of tandem modules. The acquisition focuses on the coating technology used to deposit the delicate perovskite layers required in tandem architectures.
- Buyer: Tandem PV (US)
- Target: nexTC Corporation (Oregon)
- Focus: thin‑film coating processes for perovskite layers
- Objective: internalise a critical manufacturing step ahead of commercialisation
Context and implications
The transaction highlights a broader industry trend: companies developing advanced photovoltaic designs are moving to consolidate supply chains and protect process know‑how. Perovskite materials offer higher theoretical efficiencies and lighter‑weight stacks, but their path from lab to factory hinges on reproducible coating and encapsulation methods. Internalising nexTC’s capability could reduce reliance on external suppliers, shorten development cycles and improve yield control during scale‑up.
For policy makers and investors watching the renewable energy sector, the move signals confidence by a manufacturer that tandem modules are nearing commercial readiness. For competitors and downstream buyers, it underscores the importance of manufacturing processes — not just cell chemistry — in determining which technologies will reach the market first and at what cost.
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| Tandem PV | Acquirer; solar panel manufacturer |
| nexTC Corporation | Thin‑film coating technology developer (Oregon) |
The announcement did not disclose financial terms or a detailed integration timeline. What is clear is that coating processes are now being viewed as strategic assets in the race to commercialise next‑generation photovoltaic modules.
