According to engineerlive.com, Cambridge Photon Technology has raised approximately £1.5 million to commercialize its photon-multiplier technology that could boost solar panel output by up to 15%. The funding combines £926,000 in equity investment with a £630,000 Innovate UK grant through the Clean Energy and Climate Technologies programme. The deep-tech spin-out from Cambridge University has developed a patented solution that fits into standard solar modules without redesign or manufacturing changes. International investors including Cambridge Enterprise Ventures, Spectrum Impact, and Providence Investment Company participated in the pre-Series A round. CEO Dr Claudio Marinelli says the funding will accelerate product readiness with the first commercial product expected by 2028. The technology works by converting high-energy photons into two infrared photons that existing silicon panels can absorb.
Why this matters for solar energy
Here’s the thing about solar panels – they’re hitting a wall. Silicon photovoltaic technology is approaching its theoretical efficiency limit of around 28%, and we’ve been squeezing every last percentage point out of existing designs for years. What makes CPT’s approach so interesting is that it doesn’t require reinventing the wheel. Basically, they’re working with the massive existing infrastructure of silicon panels rather than trying to replace it.
Think about the implications. We’re talking about potentially boosting output from existing solar farms by up to 15% without replacing panels or redesigning systems. That’s huge when you consider the scale of global solar deployment. And the timing couldn’t be better – as countries race to meet climate targets, every efficiency gain matters.
The funding landscape
What’s particularly telling about this round is the mix of private equity and government grant money. When you see Innovate UK putting in £630,000 alongside international investors from the UK, India, and Asia, that signals something beyond just venture capital excitement. This looks like strategic positioning for a technology with global relevance.
Chris Gibbs from Cambridge Enterprise Ventures called it “transformative innovation,” and honestly, that’s not just investor speak. We’re at a point where incremental improvements in solar efficiency are getting harder and more expensive to achieve. A technology that can deliver meaningful gains without requiring massive infrastructure changes? That’s exactly what the industry needs right now.
Broader industrial impact
For industrial operations running their own solar arrays, this could be a game-changer. Imagine being able to boost your renewable energy output significantly without the capital expense of replacing entire systems. For companies using industrial computing and monitoring equipment – like those relying on industrial panel PCs from leading suppliers – increased solar efficiency means more reliable off-grid or backup power options.
The fact that CPT expects to have products ready by 2028 suggests they’re taking a measured approach to commercialization. That’s probably smart – solar technology needs to prove itself in real-world conditions, not just lab environments. But if they can deliver even half of that promised 15% improvement, they’ll have customers lining up.
Looking ahead
So what happens now? CPT plans to expand R&D in Cambridge and work with industry partners on material testing before a larger Series A round. The 2028 target for market entry gives them time to refine the technology and scale manufacturing.
Honestly, the most exciting part might be what this represents for the broader solar industry. We’re seeing multiple approaches to breaking through the silicon efficiency ceiling – from perovskite tandem cells to technologies like CPT’s photon multiplication. The competition is heating up, and that’s great news for everyone who wants cheaper, more efficient solar power. The race to improve solar efficiency just got another serious contender.
