Swift Solar, a US-based company specialising in tandem perovskite solar cells, announced a cooperation with Plenitude to conduct pilot testing at a solar facility in the United States. The initiative aims to assess large-scale performance and durability of the technology under real-world operating conditions.
Toward utility-scale application
Plenitude, a subsidiary fully owned by Italian energy group Eni, aims to reach 15 GW of installed renewable capacity by 2030. Its commitment to the project includes an on-site testing programme designed to validate the technology in an operational environment. Eni Next, Eni’s corporate venture capital arm, is also a strategic investor in Swift Solar, which is expanding its US manufacturing capacity to meet increasing demand.
Swift Solar’s tandem technology combines perovskite and silicon cells to boost energy conversion efficiency. This approach is expected to reach over 28% efficiency, compared to 20–24% for conventional modules, delivering up to 40% more electricity from the same surface area.
Responding to rising energy demand
According to Swift Solar, this higher performance aligns with growing electricity needs, particularly those driven by data centres powering artificial intelligence. By producing more energy within a limited footprint, the technology aims to reduce installation costs and improve overall project economics.
The company states that its technology is protected by over 40 patents and backed by exclusive licences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Swift Solar has raised over $60mn from venture capital funds, strategic investors and US government agencies including the Department of Energy and Department of Defense.
Increasing interest from industrial developers
Joel Jean, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Swift Solar, noted that industrial developers are showing increasing interest in the technology. He stated that “major developers don’t run pilots unless there’s real commercial potential”, highlighting Plenitude’s interest in next-generation solutions.
This partnership marks a step toward industrialising perovskite technology beyond the residential segment. Swift Solar is now targeting adoption across commercial, industrial, defence, space and telecommunications sectors, in addition to utility-scale deployment.
