The organic photovoltaic (OPV) market has been one of the most intriguing in the printed and flexible electronics space. Originally thought of as the first possible breakout market due to outdoor applications, OPV never really took off until recently.

However, it wasn’t the original market that OPV seems destined for – it is indoor applications. Due to OPV’s ability to produce energy even from low light sources, it can be used indoors. That opened up possibilities for products that have minimal demands for power but have had to use batteries to supply it. OPV has the potential to reduce and even eliminate the use of these batteries, which is a win for sustainability, cost and maintenance.

Consider the opportunities that the Internet of Things offers: Potentially trillions of devices will have sensors that could use power, and the difficulty of creating and recycling batteries for these devices is wasteful and troublesome.

A number of companies have developed OPV solutions for these products, and Epishine, a Linköping, Swedish energy specialist, has had recent successes in this field. For example, Epishine solar cells can be found in MClimate’s CO2 Display LoRaWAN, and the company is working with Nichicon on a self-charging battery.

Epishine is also active in the electronic shelf label (ESL) field. At NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, Epishine and Opticon showed solar-powered ESLs, receiving positive feedback from attendees. The company is also working with Pricer on advanced ESLs.

To meet the growing demand for its solar cells, Epishine recently opened its new solar cell factory. The new factory has the capacity to produce 100 million modules annually, using the company’s patented roll-to-roll printing technology. The company noted that the new factory is dedicated to capturing indoor light to make self-powered electronics, which eliminates the need for cables and disposable batteries.

“Epishine’s commitment to pioneering in our field is evident in important milestones like this,” said Epishine CEO Anders Kottenauer. “This expansion showcases our readiness to meet the demands of our customers and a broader audience.

“We stand on the threshold of a remarkable transformation,” he added. “With this new factory, we’re not just expanding; we’re embodying a new paradigm for scalable solar cell manufacturing in the future.”

Kottenauer said that the new facility marks a strategic advancement for the company, partly due to its scalability within the existing property.

“This allows us to efficiently expand our production capacity in response to growing market demands, without the need for relocating,” Kottenauer reported. “Aligning with the company’s growth trajectory, this approach is both cost-effective and future-proof, ensuring a smooth scaling-up of operations. It positions us to adapt swiftly, maintaining a competitive edge while avoiding the logistical challenges and costs associated with moving to a new location.”

Kottenauer noted that the new facility comes at an ideal time, as Epishine’s modules are now appearing in products that are on the market.

“We’re proud of our current market impact, with our technology integrated into 15 products,” said Kottenauer. “Looking ahead, we’re excited about the potential for significant expansion in several key sectors, including retail, the building industry, and consumer electronics. We see this as an opportunity to broaden our market impact and apply our innovative solar cell technology in areas to drive sustainable and efficient energy solutions.

“We have 15 products on the market today for different customers and several more rolling out in the near future,” she added. “We see an increasing interest from end customers as well and a great prognosis for the coming years.”

Kottenauer said that the best has yet to come, as Epishine’s R&D team continues to enhance its solar modules.

“We’re constantly striving to improve our products, for example in reducing their carbon footprint even further,” Kottenauer noted. “This commitment was evident in the life cycle analysis we shared earlier this year, showcasing the groundbreaking results of our R&D efforts regarding carbon footprint. Despite these achievements, we’re determined to push these boundaries even further, aiming to continuously improve and set new standards in sustainability and environmental responsibility.”

Kottenauer said that the outlook for Epishine’s growth in the coming years is bright.

“Looking ahead, our outlook for growth at Epishine is highly optimistic,” said Kottenauer. “We foresee increased market traction, driven by the increasing interest in sustainable alternatives, which positions our organic solar cell technology in a favorable market. Our ongoing investment in research and development keeps us at the cutting edge of innovation, allowing us to continuously enhance our product offerings and explore new applications.”