Perovskite thin-film solar cells could be closer to commercialisation than expected after Oxford Photovoltaics (Oxford PV) made a critical appointment of a veteran leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing technologist as its Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Chris Case.

Company co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxford PV, Kevin Arthur said: “To be able to attract someone of Chris’s calibre underlines the significant progress Oxford PV has made in the last 12 months and how serious we are about becoming a world leader in bringing to market this pioneering solar technology. With Chris as part of our team we will be looking to accelerate commercialisation as well as broaden the markets we are looking at. ”

Having started a distinguished career in PV thin-film technology, Dr. Case is returning to the field after a short foray running his own consultancy firm for global high-tech materials firms such as French speciality gasses company, Air Liquide.

Perovskite thin-film solar cells have received increasing attention by several start-up companies as well as a lot of attention at research institutes and universities around the world as several recent efficiency breakthroughs in lab environments show conversion efficiencies inline with current conventional c-Si solar cells but potentially a fraction of the cost.

However, taking novel materials form R&D laboratories to robust long-life high-volume manufacturing at a true low-cost is something very different.

Oxford PV is developing Perovskite thin-film solar cells initially to meet the BIPV market and has already raised £7 million in equity and grant funding.

“I am thrilled and excited to be joining the Oxford PV team. I began my career in thin-film photovoltaics and have waited a long-time to return. The Oxford PV technology really has the potential to deliver on the oft-promised low-cost goals of thin-film solar. It is nice to be back,” added Dr. Case.

Prior to his consultancy business, Dr. Case spent around 10 years with The BOC Group, latterly part of the Linde Group where he was Chief Technology/Scientific Officer, responsible for driving global technology strategy and R&D for the €8 billion business.

Dr. Case started his career as Assistant Professor of Engineering at Brown University followed by 10 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He was a Fulbright-Hays scholar at the Université de Bordeaux, and holds an Sc.M. in engineering and Ph.D. in materials science from Brown University.