UbiQD and First Solar Strategic Alliance Accelerates Quantum Dot Integration into Thin-Film Photovoltaics

The year 2025 heralded a significant breakthrough in solar energy, centered on the industrial integration of quantum dot (QD) nanotechnology into commercial photovoltaic modules. This pivotal moment was catalyzed by a strategic alliance forged between two major industry players. In July 2025, UbiQD, a specialist in QD nanotechnology, executed an exclusive, multi-year supply agreement with First Solar, a leading manufacturer of thin-film modules. This landmark deal is particularly noteworthy as it constitutes the first large-tonnage supply contract for QDs outside of the traditional display sector.

This industrial commitment follows a period of rapid technological advancement documented earlier in 2025. Researchers globally demonstrated impressive gains in QD-based solar cell performance, setting high expectations for commercialization. For instance, scientists at the North China Electric Power University successfully showcased flexible perovskite solar cells utilizing quantum dots, achieving a documented efficiency of 18.3%, which established a new high for this specific device type. Simultaneously, researchers based in South Korea reported a comparable result, confirming an 18.1% efficiency rate for their QD solar cell prototypes. These laboratory successes underscore the substantial potential of QDs to optimize light absorption and spectral response, a factor critical for maximizing overall system performance.

The collaboration between UbiQD and First Solar, which began with joint development efforts in 2023, is now focused on operationalizing UbiQD’s patented fluorescent quantum dot technology. This innovation is slated for integration directly into First Solar’s bifacial thin-film photovoltaic panels. UbiQD’s technology, which traces its origins to foundational research conducted at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is distinguished by its use of non-toxic copper and indium compounds, effectively replacing cadmium.

The strategic incorporation of these QDs into the panel encapsulation layer is engineered to dramatically boost performance. Specifically, the technology is projected to more than double the bifacial quantum conversion efficiency for targeted wavelengths. This enhancement is especially advantageous for the rear side of bifacial modules, which is designed to capture reflected light, thereby increasing overall energy yield.

The economic ramifications of this agreement are substantial, facilitating a massive scale-up in production capacity. The contract enables UbiQD to increase its annual manufacturing volume to over 100 metric tons—a quantity that exceeds the current global demand originating from the display industry. This expansion was made possible following UbiQD’s successful Series B funding round in April 2025, which secured $20 million. These capital injections are earmarked for the construction of a high-performance QD manufacturing facility located in New Mexico.

Against a backdrop of surging demand for sustainable power solutions—driven by sectors like data centers, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing—this partnership strategically positions American companies to expand competitive power generation. Dr. Hunter McDaniel, Founder and CEO of UbiQD, emphasized that the alliance validates the ability of US innovation and manufacturing to deliver differentiated performance, particularly as material efficiency breakthroughs become paramount. First Solar anticipates initiating the commercial deployment of these QD-integrated panels by the end of 2026, providing a concrete timeline for translating laboratory records into large-scale commercial application.

The broader quantum dot market, valued at $8.44 billion in 2024, is forecast to experience robust growth, projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 18.00% through 2033. Furthermore, ongoing research continues to address stability concerns; recent studies involving perovskite cells utilizing QDs as an electron-transport layer have shown enhanced stability, achieving efficiencies up to 25.7% in 2023. This continuous progress solidifies the position of QDs as a viable solar material capable of delivering superior efficiency compared to conventional silicon counterparts.