In a world racing toward clean energy and carbon neutrality, a young Singapore startup is catching global attention with a bold promise: solar power, anywhere — and on anythinMeet Singfilm Solar, a 2023 spin-off from the National University of Singapore (NUS) that has quickly established itself as a leading innovator in perovskite technology globally. Backed by cutting-edge research and US$15 million in early-stage funding, the company has achieved significant milestones in a short period. Within just two years of operation, it has launched ASEAN’s largest perovskite indoor photovoltaic production line and validated its technology through commercial deployments with leaders in aerospace and consumer electronics.

Singfilm Solar’s achievements were recognized with its inclusion in the 64th edition of the Martin Green Solar Cell Efficiency Tables, the photovoltaic industry’s definitive benchmark for performance. The company stands out as the only team globally to hold efficiency records across multiple device structures and sizes, demonstrating its unique ability to bridge the gap between academic research and mass production, from lab-scale prototypes to industrial-grade panels.

While traditional silicon panels face efficiency limits and rigid applications, Singfilm’s perovskite technology offers significant advancements. With tunable bandgaps for diverse light conditions and theoretical tandem efficiencies reaching 45%, the technology opens up new applications that have long been inaccessible to conventional solar, from self-charging electronics to lightweight satellite power systems.

“Solar energy’s future isn’t just about blanketing more deserts with panels,” says Asst Prof Hou, Singfilm’s founder. “It’s about transforming everyday objects like IoT devices, building facades, and even spacecraft into decentralized power generators.”

Currently producing millions of perovskite solar cells annually at its Singapore facility, Singfilm Solar is emerging as a trailblazer in Southeast Asia’s growing deep-tech sector. As industries seek to overcome the limitations of silicon-based solar technology, Singfilm is demonstrating that the future of energy harvesting lies in innovative, real-world solutions. From self-powered electronic shelf labels in supermarkets to satellites orbiting Earth, Singfilm is pushing the boundaries of what solar energy can power. By focusing on practical, scalable applications, the company is not just advancing solar technology — it’s driving the next generation of energy conversion.