Dutch Startup to Build First Roll-to-Roll Solar Factory

Solar panels might soon be as easy to produce as newspapers, thanks to a Dutch company planning the world's first roll-to-roll factory for flexible solar cells.

Perovion Technologies, a new spin-off from the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, aims to bring nearly a decade of lab research into full-scale production by 2030. The company will manufacture solar cells on thin, bendable sheets instead of heavy glass panels.

The technology opens doors that traditional solar can't touch. These lightweight panels could transform curved buildings, flimsy rooftops, and even consumer products into power generators. CEO Stefan van de Beek says the company is already working with industrial partners to develop real-world applications that could hit the market soon.

The secret is in the manufacturing process. Roll-to-roll production works just like printing newspapers, creating solar cells continuously on long rolls of flexible material. This approach could dramatically cut production costs while ramping up manufacturing speed for perovskite solar technology, a promising alternative to conventional silicon panels.

The company isn't working alone. Dutch manufacturer Solarge recently unveiled a prototype flexible panel measuring about one foot square, weighing just 5.5 kilograms per square meter thanks to its polymer cover instead of glass. The demo proved that all the pieces needed for commercial production can work together.

The Ripple Effect

This factory could strengthen Europe's entire solar supply chain. TNO is building partnerships with investors and specialized companies across materials, equipment, and product integration to speed up the technology's growth.

Beyond buildings, researchers continue exploring advanced techniques to make perovskite panels even better. They're testing new manufacturing methods with international partners that could expand where and how we generate clean energy.

Perovion is starting with niche markets where flexible panels already have eager customers, building momentum before scaling to mass production. The approach lets them refine the technology while creating real value today.

A future where solar power wraps around our world instead of just sitting on top of it is rolling closer.