Verditek PLC (LON:VDTK) shares rose Tuesday as the clean technology specialist announced a second development programme with the University of Cambridge graphene spin-off Paragraf, as they unveiled the world’s first photo-voltaic (PV) cell integrated with the wonder material.
The AIM-listed firm and the Cambridge-based experts in graphene electronics technology development have been working together under a joint development programme to harness the advantages of graphene to improve the performance of solar power generation over state of the art PV cells and modules.
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The collaboration has developed unique methodologies to successfully produce graphene on photovoltaic proof of concept cells, to harness the superior electrical and mechanical properties that graphene can impart.
The revolutionary cell works without the encumbrance of metallic busbars or backplates required in conventional PV cells, the group said.
Verditek chairman, Lord Willetts, commented: "At present conventional silicon PV cells convert approximately 21-23% of the energy they received into electricity. We aim to get to better than 25%. That is a big increase in the amount of electricity generated from a given area of PV cell.
“Our lightweight and efficient PV cells will then be used in a much wider range of settings. Our aim is to be able to apply them to consumer electronics such as laptops so that they can be self-charging. This is a massive advance for green energy - and for consumers who will find it much easier to access solar power than ever before."
Verditek said it and Paragraf have agreed to a second joint development project, which is underway, to improve the performance of the cells, develop the opportunity to file patents and, upon attainment of additional performance targets, commence commercial discussions for industrial manufacture and application of the new material.
In afternoon trading, shares in Verditek were 5.6% higher at 7.12p.