Startup RadianX promises solar-powered devices that never need charging
US startup RadianX is using a perovskite solar material to build devices that could run without recharging. It has raised $5 million in seed funding to set up a production line.
RadianX, a startup developing solar panels for portable and edge devices, has announced a $5 million seed round. The money is meant to fund a commercial-volume production line. The company's goal is to make devices such as e-readers and sensors that never need charging or a battery swap.
The material and its advantages
RadianX has developed a new solar material from the perovskite family. According to the company, it performs as well as existing solar panels outdoors but harvests light twice as well indoors. Co-founder and COO Josh Douglas says the material can capture any kind of light, whether outdoor or indoor.
Perovskites are not a new idea, but they remain more expensive than standard silicon panels and are less durable, although they have improved in recent years. Their advantage is higher power density. RadianX's 1.2 by 0.6 meter panel converts light with 22.33% efficiency, which the company says is the best on record. It says it has met a key industry durability standard, and panels meant for indoor use face less wear. They can be as thin as 0.7 millimeters and can be sized to fit.
Funding and plans
The seed round was led by SOSV and Twynam. Other investors included One Small Planet, Sachsen Ventures, Avila VC, California Innovation Fund, quantumEDGE, Riceberg Ventures and Alumni Ventures. Pacific Union Technology Precision Manufacturing is contributing a further $4 million in non-dilutive investment to build a dedicated production line.
RadianX is also developing power electronics tailored to perovskites, since most existing electronics are tuned for silicon panels. The company does not plan to sell bare panels, but a ready-made package for device makers. Co-founder and CEO Vivian Qu hopes the packages will end up in everything from e-readers to factory sensors.
