A pioneering solar film technology developed in County Durham is set for its first deployment outside Europe following a landmark agreement between UK innovator Power Roll and Japanese energy giant Tokyo Gas.
The joint development deal, confirmed today, will see the two firms collaborate to adapt and trial the ultra-lightweight, flexible solar films for the Japanese market. The partnership, which includes identifying local manufacturing partners and progressing technical designs, marks a significant international validation for the North East-born technology.
The Technology: A Different Kind of Solar Power
At the heart of the agreement is Power Roll’s novel approach to solar energy. Unlike rigid, glass-panelled modules that require specific mounting, the company’s product is a thin, pliable film that can be applied to a variety of surfaces including commercial rooftops and vertical building facades. This flexibility opens vast potential for urban and commercial settings where traditional solar panels are unsuitable.
The technology’s core innovation lies in its use of perovskite, a class of materials efficient at absorbing sunlight and made from abundant elements, eliminating the need for the rare earth metals found in conventional panels. Power Roll’s specific method involves creating embossed “microgroove structures” on a plastic substrate, forming a high-resolution conductive surface. Crucially, it employs a back-contact design where electrical connections are on the rear of the cell, simplifying manufacturing.
Perhaps its most significant advantage is cost. The unique microgroove structure removes the need for expensive Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs), like Indium Tin Oxide, which are a major cost component and commercial barrier for other perovskite solar cells. Power Roll aims for mass production using a low-cost, scalable roll-to-roll process, akin to printing. The technology, co-invented by Dr. John Topping in 2011, has already demonstrated a stabilised efficiency of up to 12.8% in research validated with institutions like the University of Sheffield, NREL, and SPECIFIC.
Forging the Partnership
The deal follows a proactive North East trade mission to Japan in November 2025, led by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness. During the visit, which aimed to secure green energy investment, Mayor McGuinness met directly with Tokyo Gas on behalf of Power Roll, which operates from Murton. The mission, which cost over £16,000 and has faced some political scrutiny, also yielded deals with Hitachi on zero-emission buses and a green energy hub at the Port of Tyne.
Neil Spann, chief executive of Power Roll, called Tokyo Gas a “natural partner,” citing their expertise and commitment to clean energy solutions. The partnership will involve trial deployments at Tokyo Gas facilities over a year to gather performance data in Japan’s climate, boosting capabilities and reliability.
For Tokyo Gas, a historic energy supplier to around 13 million customers, the move aligns with a broader, if complex, strategic shift. The company has stated ambitions to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and is targeting 6 GW of handled renewable energy by 2030. However, it remains a major player in liquefied natural gas (LNG), having recently made multi-billion dollar investments in US shale gas assets, leading to criticism of “backsliding” on clean energy. Its collaboration with Power Roll represents a tangible step into next-generation renewable technology.
Wider Implications and Context
The agreement underscores the international demand for innovative, flexible solar solutions, particularly in markets like Japan which has a net-zero by 2050 target but whose “Green Transformation” strategy has faced criticism for favouring fossil-based technologies. For the North East, it is hailed as evidence of the region’s green energy prowess.
Mayor Kim McGuinness said the deal showed the “depth of opportunity” to secure green investment and jobs in places like County Durham, adding that the region had the people and innovation to be the home of the green energy revolution.
Notably, Power Roll’s base in Murton sits within a County Durham landscape actively transitioning from its coal mining past. The area has seen several large-scale solar farm developments, including the approved Hawthorn Pit solar farm near Murton and the Bluestone Farm project on a former coal site, though proposals like the Croup Hill solar farm have been refused over landscape concerns. The growth of ground-mounted solar has sparked local debate, with some councillors advocating for rooftop installations instead—a market where Power Roll’s flexible film technology is specifically designed to compete.
