Heliene starts commercial production of perovskite tandem modules in Minnesota

Heliene and Caelux have begun commercial-scale production of perovskite/silicon tandem solar modules at Heliene’s module assembly facility in Minnesota. The new product features Caelux Energy Producing Glass layered on top of a traditional silicon solar module, combining the two technologies into a single unit.

Manufacturing and Technology

Produced at Caelux’s plant in Baldwin Park, California, the power-generating glass incorporates a thin perovskite film that serves as an additional energy-harvesting layer. Employing four-terminal perovskite technology, the process involves depositing the perovskite directly onto the glass, while the silicon cells are wired and laminated separately. As a result, the upper and lower light-absorbing layers function as entirely distinct electrical circuits, necessitating separate terminals for each to operate.

Efficiency Targets and Design

According to Caelux CEO Scott Graybeal, combining silicon solar modules with the firm's latest glass technology yields efficiencies ranging from 26.7% to 28.2%. This variance depends on the specific cell architecture used in the silicon foundation. The firm aims to reach a 29% module efficiency mark by 2028. In the longer term, Graybeal anticipates that tandem module setups will exceed 30% efficiency by 2028 or 2029. These planned configurations employ TOPCon, HJT, and back-contact cell designs.

Architectural Context

• The four-terminal (4T) approach used by Heliene and Caelux differs from two-terminal (2T) designs, where the perovskite layer is deposited directly onto the silicon cell during manufacturing.
• 2T devices are also known as monolithic perovskite tandem solar cells.
• Tandem PV and CubicPV are other companies pursuing 4T perovskite tandems.
• Swift Solar and Oxford PV are pursuing 2T technology.

Strategic Rationale

Heliene CEO Martin Pochtaruk explains that the partnership was selected partly due to Caelux’s four-terminal architecture and its domestic perovskite glass manufacturing in the United States. Pochtaruk notes that the collaboration brings together two fully domestic supply chains for American-made solar. According to the companies, these modules achieve efficiencies of 27% or more.

Production Site and Trade Show Details

The companies will exhibit the Hybrid-Tandem™ solar module at booth #W16546 during the RE+ trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from November 17-19, 2026. Caelux has secured additional commercial agreements to expand its perovskite-tandem output. In September 2026, Caelux announced a 4 GW agreement with Grew Solar for modules targeting at least 29% efficiency by 2028. A five-year strategic partnership signed in October 2026 with Insolation Energy Ltd. aims to commercialize 3 GW of perovskite-tandem modules by 2028, including technology verification and adherence to India’s ALMM rules. Caelux also holds separate agreements with Rayzon Solar and Navitas Solar for a combined 10 GW of perovskite-tandem modules by 2028.

What to watch

Heliene plans to display one of the new tandem modules at its booth during RE+ 2026. The companies expect to begin commercial shipments of the modules in 2027.

Additional reporting: Saur Energy.