Toshiba’s Film-Based Perovskite Photovoltaic Module Takes Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

TOKYO―A film-based perovskite photovoltaic module developed by Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) has won the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award in CEATEC AWARD 2021, the prestigious awards presented at CEATEC, Japan's premier electronics industry trade show.

The module was a double winner, also awarded the Grand Prix in the Carbon Neutral category, and Toshiba also took the Semi Grand Prix award in the Solutions Category for the Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

CEATEC AWARD recognizes highly innovative, superior technologies, products and services exhibited at CEATEC. A panel of judges assesses entries in terms of academic and technological perspectives as well as marketability and future potential.

1. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award Winner
Grand Prix of Carbon Neutral Category
Film-Based Perovskite Photovoltaic Module
A next-generation solar power cell technology, a photovoltaic layer formed on a film, the module is light and flexible and can be installed in many and various places. Toshiba's continuing development work has made great strides toward practical application that will drive forward the expansion of renewable energy.

CEATEC AWARD 2021 judges' assessment

Toshiba's lightweight and flexible solar cells made from perovskite film have achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 15.1%, equivalent to that of the polycrystalline silicon solar cells in widespread use today. Employing perovskite film for solar power generation is expected to raise the relative contribution of renewable energy sources, since this material can be installed in so many different places, including curved surfaces and windows, where conventional solar cells cannot be used owing to higher strength requirements. Until now a two-step process has been used for film preparation, but Toshiba's single-step process contributes to improved energy efficiency and faster production. The award recognizes that this new technology will serve to promote practical applications of perovskite film in solar cells.
Photovoltaic power generation is essential for realizing a carbon-neutral society, but due to the flat form and weight of conventional solar cells, there has been a limited choice of locations where installation is possible. That is why this new technology is expected to give rise to a wide range of practical applications, and it was highly evaluated for its potential contribution to the growth of renewable energy.

Kenji Todori, a Senior Expert at Toshiba's Corporate Research & Development Center was delighted by the judge's decision:
"We are delighted to win this prestigious award. Film-based perovskite photovoltaic modules are light, thin, and flexible, and can be installed in locations where low load-bearing capacity makes it difficult to install conventional silicon solar cells, especially in urban areas. It's a technology that will support expanded use of solar cells in places like the roofs of small factories, the walls of buildings, and windows. We will continue our work aiming for practical implementation of the technology as earliest as possible and contribute to achieving carbon neutrality. "

(This research was commissioned by (JPNP20015) of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).)

2. Semi Grand Prix of Solutions Category:
Toshiba's QKD creates a secure online society
QKD is a cryptographic communications technology that Toshiba Group has researched and developed in order to protect the future of the digital society. It realizes secure communications that are theoretically impossible to eavesdrop.

CEATEC AWARD 2021 judges' assessment

Cryptographic communications technologies are becoming more and more important as societies become digitalized. However, cryptography difficult to break with current technologies will be broken in the future with the commercialization of quantum computers. Although writing and transmitting　cryptographic key information in a single photon makes interception theoretically impossible, there are limitations such as communication speed and distance.
Toshiba's Quantum Key Distribution technology is superior to those of its competitors in terms of transmission speed and distance, and has a proven track record in Japan and overseas. The technology is anticipated to become a main player in the industry, not only for its high security and other technical capabilities, but also for its ease of use.

Shinya Murai, Senior Fellow at ICT Solution Department, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation, has stressed the potential of the technology:
"Thank you for this prestigious award. The Group has achieved many world-first achievements in many years of research and development of Quantum Key Distribution technology.
In FY2020, we have commercialized this technology, and we will continue to provide excellent solutions that utilize the research results and contribute to the creation and expansion of this essential market."

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