Power Roll
Power Roll is a UK pre-commercial company developing flexible perovskite solar film using a patented microgroove architecture for non-load-bearing commercial rooftops, off-grid, and marine applications, targeting commercial production through strategic partnerships with Amcor and Tokyo Gas.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSunderland, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Power Roll does
Power Roll is a UK-based private company founded in 2011 that develops flexible perovskite solar film using a proprietary microgroove architecture. The core product is a lightweight, flexible photovoltaic module manufactured via roll-to-roll processes adapted from food packaging, featuring thousands of micro-scale cells (approximately 1.5 μm wide, or 1/50th the width of a human hair) embossed into plastic film. The patented partial back-contacted groove design eliminates the need for transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or indium tin oxide (ITO), which typically accounts for 40-60% of perovskite cell materials cost, and avoids rare earth materials by using abundant perovskite minerals. The technology is targeted at surfaces unsuitable for rigid silicon panels — primarily non-load-bearing commercial and industrial rooftops, with secondary applications in off-grid locations, building-integrated photovoltaics, agricultural buildings, and marine environments.
The company operates a pilot manufacturing plant in County Durham (UK), employs approximately 50 staff, and has raised approximately £7.85 million+ in disclosed equity funding across multiple rounds since 2020, with Maven Capital Partners as the lead investor. It is pre-commercial — the solar film is not yet available for installation and pricing is not publicly disclosed. Power Roll plans three revenue streams: direct hardware sales of solar film modules from its first UK commercial factory (planned, targeting 1 million m²/year); technology licensing internationally; and joint development agreements with strategic partners. Strategic partnerships anchor the commercial roadmap: an MOU with Amcor (November 2024) for global roll-to-roll manufacturing, a joint development agreement with Tokyo Gas (March 2026) for Japan market entry, and R&D partnerships with Swansea University, the University of Sheffield, and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) including the AI-IMPACT metrology project.
Power Roll is governed by a board chaired by Patrick Magee (former JP Morgan Cazenove MD and British Business Bank CCO), with executive leadership comprising CEO Neil Spann, Founder/CSO Dr. John Topping (the original inventor of the microgroove technology), CTO Dr. Trevor McArdle, CFO Andrew Alderson, and Commercial Director Dean Baker. The company has accumulated 24 patent families covering over 120 individual patented rights globally and has been recognised in the Cleantech Group 50 to Watch list and the UK Government Solar Roadmap. Forward strategy targets the £250 billion untapped commercial rooftop market, with planned gigawatt-scale UK manufacturing and international technology licensing beyond its initial UK-Japan axis.
Power Roll firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Power Roll
- Legal name
- Power Roll Limited
- Website
- https://powerroll.solar
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Power Roll is a UK pre-commercial company developing flexible perovskite solar film using a patented microgroove architecture for non-load-bearing commercial rooftops, off-grid, and marine applications, targeting commercial production through strategic partnerships with Amcor and Tokyo Gas.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Power Roll industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Flexible Solar Photovoltaic Films
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials) (EUAMAOAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film) (EUAMABAD), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ)
Keywords
Where Power Roll is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sunderland
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Power Roll business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Solar Film Product Sales: Power Roll plans to generate revenue from the sale of its lightweight, flexible perovskite solar film modules. The product targets commercial and industrial rooftops, building-integrated photovoltaics, off-grid locations, and marine applications. Manufacturing will initially be based in the UK (first commercial factory planned), with international expansion through licensing and manufacturing partnerships.
- Technology Licensing: Power Roll plans to license its technology internationally as part of its commercialisation strategy. The company states it will 'license technology internationally' following establishment of the first UK factory.
- Joint Development Agreements: Revenue from joint development agreements such as the Tokyo Gas partnership, where the company collaborates on product development, certification, and pre-commercial trial deployments.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Power Roll product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Power Roll develops and manufactures lightweight, flexible perovskite solar film using a patented microgroove architecture embossed into plastic film. The film eliminates the need for expensive indium tin oxide (ITO), uses abundant perovskite materials instead of rare earth metals, and is produced through scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing. It targets non-load-bearing commercial and industrial rooftops, building façades, curved surfaces, off-grid locations, agricultural applications, and marine/floating installations where traditional rigid silicon solar panels cannot be deployed.
Product overview
Power Roll offers a single core product: its flexible perovskite solar film featuring a patented microgroove architecture. The technology combines thousands of microgrooves embossed into plastic film (approximately 1.5 μm wide, 1/50th the width of a human hair) with perovskite light-absorbing materials. The film is manufactured fully roll-to-roll and is designed for applications where traditional silicon solar panels cannot be deployed, such as non-load-bearing rooftops, building facades, curved surfaces, off-grid locations, and agricultural/transport sectors. The unique architecture eliminates the need for transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layers, avoiding expensive indium tin oxide (ITO) and enabling significant cost reductions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Power Roll Flexible Perovskite Solar Film A lightweight, flexible perovskite solar PV module combining microgroove structures with perovskite light-absorbing materials, manufactured using scalable roll-to-roll processes. Features a patented partial back-contacted groove architecture that eliminates the need for indium tin oxide (ITO) and rare earth materials, enabling deployment on non-load-bearing rooftops, building façades, curved surfaces, off-grid locations, agricultural buildings, and marine applications where traditional silicon solar panels cannot be installed.
Quantifiable outcome
- 11% Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) achieved in 2019
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Power Roll
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Power Roll technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Power Roll partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Tokyo GasflagshipTokyo Gas and Power Roll signed a joint development agreement for demonstration of low-cost next-generation perovskite solar cells in Japan. Over approximately one year, the project will monitor and evaluate power generation performance, durability and other factors under Japan's climate conditions. Tokyo Gas will apply its proprietary adhesive-based installation method. The two companies will also identify potential use cases, examine certification requirements, and explore building a domestic manufacturing and supply framework in Japan. This marks Power Roll's first expansion outside Europe.
- Swansea UniversitycorePower Roll and Swansea University partnered on the AI-IMPACT project (AI-Enhanced Perovskite Manufacturing using Inline Metrology, Performance Assessment and Characterisation Techniques), funded by Innovate UK. The project addresses capability gaps in inline and end-of-line testing for perovskite solar cells at scale, developing new testing protocols and characterisation tools. Swansea University's SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre has developed the world's first fully printable roll-to-roll perovskite device.
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL)coreNPL, the UK's leading facility for independent characterisation of photovoltaic devices, supports the AI-IMPACT project by developing end-of-line characterisation tool prototypes, leveraging expertise in industry standards and characterisation techniques for optoelectronic devices.
- University of SheffieldcoreLong-standing collaboration (over 10 years) with University of Sheffield's Department of Physics and Astronomy to develop solar cell designs that reduce manufacturing costs and enhance solar efficiency. Published joint research paper in ACS Applied Energy Materials (2024) on perovskite solar cell designs using 1.5 μm microgrooves embossed into plastic film. Sheffield used Diamond Light Source's X-ray microscopy for detailed cell analysis.
- AmcorflagshipPower Roll signed an MOU with Amcor (NYSE: AMCR, ASX:AMC), the global leader in responsible packaging solutions, to advance solar-powered energy by developing a lightweight solar photovoltaic film as a low-cost alternative to silicon solar panels. The collaboration combines Power Roll's microgroove technology with Amcor's century-long experience in flexible packaging and roll-to-roll manufacturing. Amcor will provide valuable expertise and help accelerate growth and innovation, while exploring opportunities to produce and market components for photovoltaic film solutions globally.
- ThermaxminorEquipment and supply partner listed on Power Roll's partners page, having supported the company from lab to pilot plant and toward full scale manufacturing.
- TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)minorResearch partner listed on Power Roll's partners page, playing a role in developing, testing and validating Power Roll's technology.
- InseanergyminorCommercial partner listed on Power Roll's partners page, relevant to international roll-out and decarbonisation efforts.
- BASFminorPartner listed on Power Roll's partners page. Nature of partnership not fully detailed in available sources.
- Patrick Magee (Chairman)corePatrick Magee appointed as Chairman in January 2025, bringing 30 years of experience including 10 years at British Business Bank (Chief Commercial Officer) and Managing Director of Corporate Finance at JP Morgan Cazenove. Currently also Non-Executive at Allica Bank, Edge Future Capital, International Biotechnology Trust, Northern Ireland Civil Service Board, and investment committee at Queen's University Belfast.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Power Roll competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oxford PV: Oxford PV is the most advanced perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell company, headquartered in Oxford/Bitfeld with significant capital and a partnership with Meyer Burger for module manufacturing. It directly competes with Power Roll in the perovskite PV space, although focused on tandem rigid modules rather than flexible film.
- Saule Technologies: Saule Technologies is a Polish perovskite solar company developing inkjet-printed flexible perovskite cells for BIPV and IoT applications. Like Power Roll, it targets non-silicon-friendly surfaces such as building façades, with backing from Hideo Sawada and a strategy focused on architectural integration.
- Heliatek: Heliatek is a German pioneer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) film, producing flexible solar films for building-integrated and rooftop applications. It is a direct competitor in the lightweight flexible PV film category, with established pilot lines and partnerships with building envelope companies.
- Swift Solar: Swift Solar is a US perovskite tandem solar company developing high-efficiency perovskite cells with backing from complicated investors including from SV. It competes with Power Roll on perovskite technology, though Power Roll's flexible R2R film differs from Swift's rigid tandem approach.
- MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp: MiaSolé is a US flexible Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar producer offering lightweight flexible panels for commercial rooftops and BIPV. It is a directly comparable flexible thin-film PV player targeting similar end-use cases to Power Roll's perovskite film.
- ASCA (ARMOR Group): ASCA is a French organic photovoltaic (OPV) film company (part of ARMOR Group) producing flexible solar film for BIPV and architectural integration. It is a directly comparable flexible organic PV film peer targeting similar lightweight rooftop and façade applications in Europe.
Emerging players
- Caelux: Caelux is a US perovskite solar company (acquired by First Solar) developing perovskite cell technology for tandem applications. As a First Solar subsidiary, it represents an emerging but well-capitalised entrant in the perovskite space with strategic distribution advantages.
- Flisom: Flisom is a Swiss flexible CIGS thin-film solar company producing roll-to-roll manufactured lightweight solar films for rooftop and BIPV applications. Comparable to Power Roll on flexible thin-film solar manufacturing and end-market focus, though using CIGS rather than perovskite chemistry.
Broad incumbents
- First Solar: First Solar is the largest US thin-film solar manufacturer (CdTe), with a global manufacturing footprint and significant R&D into perovskite tandems via its Caelux acquisition. It competes in the broader thin-film solar space and brings deep manufacturing expertise and customer relationships.
- Hanwha Qcells: Hanwha Qcells is one of the largest global crystalline silicon solar manufacturers with a broad portfolio across utility-scale, commercial and residential. While its core product is silicon, it is actively developing perovskite-silicon tandem technology and competing for the same rooftop and BIPV customers as Power Roll.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Power Roll social profiles
Digital presencePower Roll financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Power Roll leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Power Roll funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Power Roll M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Power Roll
What does Power Roll do?
Power Roll develops and manufactures lightweight, flexible perovskite solar film using a patented microgroove architecture embossed into plastic film. The film eliminates the need for expensive indium tin oxide (ITO), uses abundant perovskite materials instead of rare earth metals, and is produced through scalable roll-to-roll manufacturing. It targets non-load-bearing commercial and industrial rooftops, building façades, curved surfaces, off-grid locations, agricultural applications, and marine/floating installations where traditional rigid silicon solar panels cannot be deployed.
Is Power Roll a public or private company?
Power Roll is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Power Roll founded?
Power Roll was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Power Roll based?
Power Roll is headquartered in Sunderland, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Power Roll make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Solar Film Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technology Licensing and joint Development Agreements.
Who are Power Roll's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oxford PV, Saule Technologies, Heliatek, Swift Solar, MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp and ASCA (ARMOR Group). Emerging players are Caelux and Flisom. Broad incumbents are First Solar and Hanwha Qcells.
Does Power Roll have an API?
No public API is recorded for Power Roll.
What industry is Power Roll in?
Power Roll's product category is Flexible Solar Photovoltaic Films. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAOAA, Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials), with a secondary code of EUAMABAD, Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 3600.