What happened
Perovskite solar startup RadianX has closed a $5 million seed round co-led by SOSV and Twynam, TechCrunch reported. Other backers include Alumni Ventures, quantumEDGE and Avila VC, along with Sachsen Ventures, Riceberg Ventures, One Small Planet and the California Innovation Fund. Separately, Pacific Union Technology Precision Manufacturing is contributing $4 million in non-dilutive funding toward a production line set aside for the startup.
According to the company, its perovskite material matches existing solar panels outdoors while harvesting indoor light twice as effectively. RadianX said a 1.2 by 0.6 meter panel reached 22.33% efficiency, which it describes as a record. The panels measure just 0.7 millimeters at their thinnest, can be cut to suit a device, and have met a key industry durability standard, the company said.
Instead of selling bare panels, RadianX plans to pair its cells with power electronics built for perovskites and supply the bundle to device makers. Co-founder and CEO Vivian Qu said most current electronics are tuned for silicon, which responds differently to light soaking. Co-founder and COO Josh Douglas said the technology could keep devices running longer or indefinitely.
Context
Solar-powered calculators have existed for decades, but modern portable electronics came to require more energy than conventional panels could supply, sidelining the idea. Qu said perovskites stand out for their high power density, yet the materials still cost more than silicon panels and are less durable despite recent progress. Focusing on indoor devices reduces the wear the panels face.
The briefing
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