GreatCell Solar
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGreatCell Solar was an Australian solar-technology company that developed dye-sensitized and perovskite thin-film photovoltaic technologies and materials.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
GreatCell Solar Limited was an Australian solar-technology company focused on developing next-generation thin-film photovoltaic systems, first through dye-sensitized solar cells and later through perovskite solar cells. The business was based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, and developed research, manufacturing, and commercialization activities across Australia, Europe and Asia. Its work was directed toward photovoltaic modules that could be integrated into surfaces such as glass, steel and other building or industrial materials, rather than competing only as a conventional silicon-panel manufacturer. The company’s technological background came from the dye-sensitized solar-cell field associated with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and Professor Michael Grätzel. Australian and Swiss teams had worked on dye-sensitized-cell processes, materials and equipment since the 1990s, and a prototype manufacturing facility was established in Australia in 2000. Dyesol Limited was formed in 2004 to accelerate commercialization of that work. It acquired Sustainable Technologies International in 2006 and Greatcell Solar S.A. in 2007, consolidating laboratories, manufacturing equipment, intellectual property and associated research relationships. Facilities in Australia were opened or expanded in 2008, while the wider organization developed connections in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Singapore. Dyesol initially concentrated on dye-sensitized solar cells, including liquid and solid-state configurations. The technology was intended to perform comparatively well in diffuse or low light and to support architectural, automotive and other applications where conventional silicon modules might be difficult to use. A reported solid-state dye-sensitized-cell efficiency breakthrough in 2013 was followed by research results above 15 percent. Some of the highest-performing solid-state devices were subsequently understood within the emerging perovskite solar-cell category, reflecting the broader scientific shift from dye-sensitized cells toward perovskite photovoltaics. During the second half of the 2010s, the company repositioned itself around perovskite solar cells and related materials. Its activities included development of photovoltaic devices on glass and metal substrates, materials supply, module production support and collaboration with universities, research organizations and industrial companies. In July 2017, it signed a memorandum of understanding with JinkoSolar intended to explore large-scale deployment of perovskite technology. In October 2018, the materials operation was separated into Greatcell Solar Materials, a business that continued to manufacture and supply perovskite precursors, dyes, titania pastes and other materials for renewable-energy and electronics research. The parent company’s financial position deteriorated in 2018. GreatCell Solar Limited entered administration in December 2018 and was placed into liquidation in September 2019. The listed corporate entity therefore became defunct, although Greatcell Solar Materials continued operating as a separate materials-focused business. GreatCell Solar’s legacy is consequently divided between an unsuccessful public-company commercialization effort and continuing technical and materials activities associated with perovskite photovoltaic research.
History
GreatCell Solar emerged from a body of Australian and Swiss research into dye-sensitized solar cells. The underlying technology was developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and later research involved EPFL and Professor Michael Grätzel. Australian and Swiss teams collaborated from 1994 on cell designs, materials, manufacturing processes and production equipment. Their work led to a prototype dye-sensitized solar-cell manufacturing facility in Australia in 2000. Dyesol Limited was incorporated in 2004 to commercialize this technological base. It acquired Sustainable Technologies International in 2006 and Greatcell Solar S.A. in 2007, obtaining laboratories, production equipment, intellectual property and a portfolio of related patents. The company opened manufacturing and research facilities in Australia in October 2008 and developed international operations and partnerships in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, South Korea and Singapore. Its early business model combined proprietary materials and process development with partnerships intended to place dye-sensitized photovoltaic technology into glass, steel, automotive and building-integrated applications. The company pursued both liquid and solid-state dye-sensitized cells. In 2013 it reported an 11.3 percent full-sun efficiency result for solid-state dye-sensitized technology, followed later that year by research results exceeding 15 percent. The scientific classification of some of this later work shifted toward perovskite solar cells, a technology that was then advancing rapidly and offering higher certified efficiencies than conventional dye-sensitized cells. GreatCell Solar consequently redirected much of its research and commercial strategy toward perovskite photovoltaics and perovskite precursor materials. Its later program involved thin-film modules on glass and metal substrates, collaboration with universities and research bodies, and assistance to manufacturing partners. Research and commercial relationships included EPFL, Nanyang Technological University, CSIRO, ANSTO, universities in the United Kingdom, industrial coating and glass companies, and materials suppliers. A 2017 memorandum of understanding with JinkoSolar was intended to support potential large-scale deployment. In 2018, the materials division was separated into Greatcell Solar Materials, which continued with the production and supply of perovskite precursors, dyes and titania pastes. The listed company’s commercialization effort did not reach sustainable financial viability. GreatCell Solar Limited entered administration in December 2018 and liquidation followed in September 2019. Greatcell Solar Materials continued as a separate operating business, preserving part of the materials and research activity while the original corporate entity ceased operations.
- 2019
Liquidation
[1]The listed company was placed into liquidation in September.
- 2018
Greatcell Solar Materials established
[1]The materials division was separated into Greatcell Solar Materials.
- 2018
Administration
[1]GreatCell Solar Limited entered administration in December.
- 2017
JinkoSolar memorandum of understanding
[1]GreatCell Solar signed a memorandum of understanding with JinkoSolar concerning potential large-scale deployment of perovskite technology.
- 2013
Solid-state efficiency results reported
[1]The company reported major efficiency results for solid-state dye-sensitized devices, helping demonstrate the potential of its thin-film platform.
- 2008
Australian facilities opened or expanded
[1]GreatCell Solar opened manufacturing and research facilities in Queanbeyan, Australia.
- 2007
Acquisition of Greatcell Solar S.A.
[1]The company acquired Greatcell Solar S.A. and expanded its intellectual-property and research base.
- 2006
Acquisition of Sustainable Technologies International
[1]Dyesol acquired Sustainable Technologies International, consolidating technology and operating capabilities related to dye-sensitized solar cells.
- 2005
Australian Securities Exchange listing
[1]Dyesol became publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the DYE code.
- 2004
Dyesol Limited formed
[1]Dyesol was formed to accelerate commercial development of dye-sensitized solar-cell technology.
Products and positioning
A research-led developer of next-generation thin-film photovoltaics, positioned around low-light performance, building and industrial integration, perovskite technology, and collaborative commercialization rather than mass production of conventional silicon panels.
Thin-film photovoltaics
Dye-sensitized solar cells
GreatCell Solar’s original technology platform used light-sensitive dyes and semiconductor materials to convert sunlight into electricity. The company pursued liquid-electrolyte and solid-state configurations, with intended applications in building materials, glass, automotive surfaces and other settings where diffuse-light operation or design integration could be valuable.
Thin-film photovoltaics
Perovskite solar cells
Perovskite photovoltaics became GreatCell Solar’s principal later technology focus. Research addressed devices and modules on glass and metal substrates, with the company working alongside academic and industrial partners on materials, processing and routes toward commercial-scale manufacturing.
Solar-cell materials · 2018
Perovskite photovoltaic materials
The materials business supplied components used in photovoltaic research and renewable-energy development, including perovskite precursors and associated materials. Greatcell Solar Materials continued this activity after the original GreatCell Solar Limited entered liquidation.
Solar-cell materials
Dyes and titania pastes
Dyes and titanium-dioxide-based pastes formed part of the company’s materials portfolio for dye-sensitized-cell production and photovoltaic research. These products supported laboratory, development and partner manufacturing activities rather than a mainstream consumer retail market.
Brand decisions
2018
Separate the materials divisionStrategyBackground
The company’s materials activities had developed into a distinct business area serving photovoltaic and electronics research.
Action taken
GreatCell Solar separated the materials division into Greatcell Solar Materials.
Aftermath
Greatcell Solar Materials continued operating as a manufacturer and supplier of perovskite precursors, dyes and titania pastes after the listed parent entered administration and liquidation.
2018
Enter administrationOtherBackground
GreatCell Solar Limited faced financial difficulties while attempting to commercialize emerging photovoltaic technologies.
Action taken
The company entered administration in December 2018.
Aftermath
The corporate entity was subsequently placed into liquidation, while the separated materials business continued independently.
2017
Pursue scale-up with JinkoSolarStrategyBackground
GreatCell Solar was attempting to move perovskite photovoltaics from research and pilot development toward broader industrial deployment.
Action taken
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with JinkoSolar to explore large-scale deployment of perovskite solar technology.
Aftermath
The arrangement demonstrated an effort to partner with a major solar-panel manufacturer, but the available reference material does not establish that it led to commercial mass production.
Sources1 sources
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