A startup emerging from MIT Energy Initiative is working to transform solar energy deployment by replacing rigid panels with lightweight, flexible films that can be applied almost anywhere. The company, Active Surfaces, is developing what it calls a new generation of solar technology designed to dramatically expand where and how solar power can be used, tells MIT News.
Unlike traditional silicon-based systems, which are heavy, brittle, and require mounting hardware, these new solar films are made from perovskite materials. Perovskites are inexpensive, abundant, and highly efficient at converting light into electricity, while also being flexible enough to conform to curved or irregular surfaces. This shift enables solar generation on rooftops, walls, vehicles, and other unconventional locations that standard panels cannot easily serve.
The company’s approach also addresses one of the biggest cost barriers in solar adoption: installation. Conventional solar systems often incur significant labor and structural costs, sometimes accounting for half of the total expense. By contrast, peel-and-stick films simplify deployment, allowing faster installation with minimal infrastructure. This ease of use could make solar more accessible in remote or resource-constrained regions where traditional systems are impractical.
A key innovation lies in the manufacturing process. The films are produced using roll-to-roll printing techniques, similar to newspaper printing, enabling scalable and cost-effective production. The materials are also designed to be nontoxic, addressing concerns that have historically limited the commercial viability of perovskite-based solar technologies.
Durability remains a central challenge, but early results show the films can maintain performance for over a decade under real-world conditions. Meanwhile, the startup is scaling from lab prototypes to larger formats and preparing for commercial manufacturing.
The broader goal reflects the scale of the energy transition ahead. With global solar capacity needing to grow significantly to meet future demand, expanding the range of usable surfaces could play a critical role. By reimagining solar as a flexible, widely deployable material rather than a fixed installation, this technology points toward a more distributed and adaptable energy system.