Patent Portfolio Analysis of the Key Companies in Perovskite Solar Cells
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Introduction
A perovskite solar cell (PSC) usually includes a tin halide-based material or hybrid organic-inorganic lead. PSCs are lightweight, low-cost, magnetoresistant and energy efficient. As they are more advantageous than silicon-based solar cells, PSCs are considered an exciting breakthrough in clean energy.
To get a general impression of the top companies and their patent portfolios over the years in this technology space, we carried out a patent search in PatSeer. A specific query using keywords related to PSC technology and relevant IPC & CPC classes was run. The result set revealed 5200+ patent families which were then analysed further.
Analysing the overall filing trends of the top companies
The Innovation Timeline Chart in PatSeer helps identify the number of patents filed by top assignees in the last 8 years. Research has picked up pace in these years as more multidisciplinary companies (LG, Panasonic and Fujifilm) are filing patents for PSCs. Microquanta Co. Ltd. is leading the way for developing PSCs with a total of 73 patents filed in the last 8 years, followed by LG Corporation with 57 patents.
Analysing the portfolio quality of key companies
After analysing the filing trends of the key companies, let’s dive deeper into the quality of their patents. The Quality vs. Quantity Comparison Chart in PatSeer Pro X helps us look this up quickly. We selected patent holders based on their portfolio value index (as opposed to portfolio size).
Key observations from the above chart:
- Microquanta Co Ltd has the largest portfolio size. A low market coverage indicates that they are focused on a limited geographical area (in this case mostly China) for their patents.
- Sekisui Chem Co. Ltd. has a very high portfolio quality and market coverage, making it a challenger in this technology field. Their patents focus on the manufacture of PSC.
- Hunt Energy Enterprises LLC and Oxford Photovoltaics Ltd. have a small, high-quality patent portfolio and wide market coverage.
- HEE Solar LLC is an emerging company with a rapidly increasing portfolio. Their patents describe the preparation of photovoltaic devices with an active layer comprising perovskite material.
The PSC technology space is an evolving one. Here are a few notable developments related to PSCs:
- Oxford Photovoltaics – Oxford PV named Most Cutting-Edge Solution in Power and Energy at E&T Innovation Awards 2022. Oxford PV, a spin-out from the University of Oxford, received the award for its perovskite solar cell technology.
- Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. – Film-type Perovskite Solar Cells Installed in Umekita (Osaka) Station. Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd. announced that they will provide and install film-type PSCs to Umekita (Osaka) Station, to be developed by West Japan Railway Company. Sekisui Chemical will install film-type perovskite solar cells in the public square of Umekita (Osaka) Station.
To sum up, as the world continues to move toward a more sustainable energy model, patent filings for PSCs are likely to increase. They are still in the early stages of commercialisation as researchers are resolving issues related to instability and degradation. Despite these challenges, PSCs are called the future of photovoltaic (PV) technology and we can expect to see new innovations for perovskite technology.
