UbiQD Secures Landmark Quantum Dot Deal with First Solar

• UbiQD partners with First Solar to revolutionize solar panels with quantum dots, aiming to double efficiency and scale production to over 100 tonnes annually.

UbiQD, a company specializing in quantum dot nanotechnology, has entered a multi-year agreement to supply its fluorescent QD technology to First Solar Inc. This partnership follows a 2023 joint development collaboration and aims to integrate QD technology into First Solar's thin-film bifacial PV solar panels. The agreement could boost UbiQD's production to over 100 tonnes annually and marks a significant milestone for the quantum dot industry, as noted by UbiQD's CEO, Hunter McDaniel.

In addition to the supply deal, UbiQD and First Solar have expanded their R&D collaboration. UbiQD claims that incorporating QDs into solar panel encapsulation can more than double the bifacial quantum efficiency for specific wavelengths, potentially enhancing energy yield at utility scale. Earlier this year, UbiQD secured $20 million in Series B funding to scale up its QD manufacturing in New Mexico.

How will UbiQD's quantum dot technology impact First Solar's thin-film PV panels?

• Enhanced Energy Efficiency: UbiQD's quantum dot technology is expected to significantly improve the energy conversion efficiency of First Solar's thin-film PV panels by optimizing the absorption of sunlight and increasing the quantum efficiency for specific wavelengths.
• Increased Energy Yield: The integration of quantum dots can potentially more than double the bifacial quantum efficiency, leading to higher energy yields, especially in utility-scale solar installations.
• Cost-Effectiveness: By improving the efficiency of solar panels, the technology could reduce the cost per watt of solar energy, making solar power more competitive with traditional energy sources.
• Scalability: The agreement and increased production capacity will allow for large-scale deployment of enhanced solar panels, supporting the growth of solar energy infrastructure.
• Technological Advancement: This collaboration represents a significant technological advancement in the solar industry, showcasing the potential of quantum dot technology to revolutionize solar panel performance.
• Market Leadership: First Solar could strengthen its position as a leader in the solar industry by adopting cutting-edge technology that offers superior performance and efficiency.
• Environmental Impact: Improved solar panel efficiency contributes to a reduction in the carbon footprint of solar energy production, supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
• Economic Growth: The partnership and increased production could stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in manufacturing and research and development within the renewable energy sector.