source: www.cam.ac.uk
Cambridge Photon Technology (CPT), a deep-tech spinout from the University of Cambridge, has raised £1.6 million to commercialise a technology that enables existing silicon solar panels to generate more power by converting wasted sunlight into usable light.
The global demand for solar energy is increasing and the most widely used solar technology – silicon-based photovoltaics – is nearing its theoretical efficiency ceiling. New solutions that can increase power output without having to redesign and replace existing solar panels are urgently needed.
By converting each high-energy photon, normally lost as heat, into two infrared photons that can be absorbed by silicon, CPT’s innovation can boost energy output by up to 15% while remaining fully compatible with existing solar infrastructure. It represents the first demonstration of this photon-multiplication effect at scale.
The spinout has attracted international investment, with backing from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Spectrum Impact, Tybourne Capital, Providence Investment Company and SourceSquared. CPT has also been awarded a Clean Energy and Climate Technologies grant from the UKRI Innovate UK Investor Partnerships.
Chief Executive Officer, Dr Claudio Marinelli, said: “This investment demonstrates strong private-sector confidence in CPT’s technology and vision. Attracting backing from leading investors across the UK, India and Asia underlines the global relevance of our approach and its potential to transform solar efficiency at scale. The Innovate UK programme provides a powerful layer of support, helping us bridge early-stage development and commercial readiness. Together, this funding positions CPT to accelerate product readiness and bring a breakthrough British innovation to the global clean-energy market.”
CPT will use this funding to expand its R&D operation in Cambridge, accelerate material testing with global industry partners, and prepare for a larger investment round ahead of pilot deployment. The company aims to bring its first product to market by 2028.
Chris Gibbs, Investment Director at Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, said: “Cambridge Photon Technology exemplifies the kind of transformative innovation needed to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy and address climate challenges. We are proud to have supported the company from the beginning and now in this next exciting phase of its journey.”
Adapted from a Cambridge Enterprise news story
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