Solar innovators Solx and Caelux have launched a strategic five-year partnership to manufacture high-efficiency tandem perovskite solar modules in Puerto Rico. The collaboration aims to produce 3 gigawatts of the new “Aurora” modules, which integrate Caelux’s perovskite glass technology with silicon solar cells from Suniva. By establishing operations in Puerto Rico, the venture strengthens the domestic U.S. supply chain while bypassing international tariffs. This move marks a significant shift toward commercializing next-generation solar technology capable of reaching a 28% conversion efficiency.
The partnership between Solx and Caelux represents a major milestone in the effort to scale tandem perovskite technology. The Aurora solar module utilizes Caelux’s proprietary “energy amplifying glass” as a top layer over silicon solar cells manufactured by Suniva. This hybrid configuration allows the module to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight, significantly boosting the solar conversion efficiency compared to traditional single-layer silicon panels. Production has already commenced, with the first batch of modules earmarked for a domestic developer as the companies prepare for high-volume manufacturing next year.
Choosing Puerto Rico as a manufacturing hub provides strategic advantages for the consortium. As a U.S. territory, the island allows manufacturers to comply with “Made-in-the-USA” regulations and avoid the heavy tariffs often associated with imported solar components. Furthermore, the project addresses a critical local need. Puerto Rico’s energy infrastructure remains fragile and susceptible to natural disasters; local production of advanced solar modules offers a more resilient alternative to the island’s historical reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Perovskite solar cells have been a primary focus of global research for over a decade due to their low production costs and high-throughput manufacturing potential. While early iterations faced durability issues, the tandem approach—pairing perovskite with a silicon solar cell—has emerged as a robust solution. This method utilizes the strengths of both materials, with the perovskite layer enhancing the performance of the underlying crystalline silicon module. The result is a more cost-effective and powerful energy solution that can be produced using familiar roll-to-roll manufacturing systems.
The collaboration also highlights a strengthening domestic supply chain, involving Suniva’s silicon cell production facilities in Georgia and South Carolina. By sourcing components entirely within the U.S. framework, the partners aim to bolster national energy security and create high-quality manufacturing jobs. Leaders from Solx and Caelux emphasized that this project moves tandem technology out of the theoretical realm and into commercial reality, ensuring that the next generation of solar innovation is built and deployed at scale within American borders.