Verde Technologies Inc., a pervoskite-focused thin-film solar company, has partnered with Northern Illinois University (NIU) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to bring its perovskite solar cells to market. Per the partnership, NIU and Verde will have access to an exclusive agreement with NREL for rights to a portfolio of NREL’s perovskite solar technologies. NREL will lead the commercializing efforts of technologies that are co-owned by both institutions. Professor Tao Xu is helping to spearhead a three-party agreement to bring thin-film solar cells to market. The cells feature a lead-sequestration layer that eliminates concerns of hazardous, toxic lead leakage. Courtesy of NIU. One of NREL’s innovations is a lead-sequestration layer that eliminates concerns of hazardous lead leakage while preserving the structural integrity and power output of the solar cells. Further, the partnership introduces NREL’s innovative active encapsulation technique; unlike traditional laminate encapsulation, application of NREL’s treatment to the entire solar cell forms a comprehensive seal that enhances stability and performance by reducing moisture sensitivity. This breakthrough in encapsulation technology strengthens the durability and longevity of solar panels, making them highly resilient even in challenging environments, according to the collaborators. Verde Technologies has incorporated this innovation into its manufacturing process.