CES 2026: BiLight Unfurls a Flexible Solar Revolution
- $2.7 billion: Projected market value of perovskite solar cells by 2028, up from $0.7 billion in 2023.
- 18% efficiency: BiLight's flexible solar curtain achieves over 18% efficiency with strong low-light performance.
- 95% efficiency retention: Perovskite cells maintained over 95% efficiency after 1,100 hours of continuous operation under harsh conditions (Manchester University, January 2026).
Experts view BiLight's perovskite solar technology as a transformative leap in green energy, offering flexible, efficient, and scalable solutions that could democratize access to power and integrate seamlessly into daily life.
BiLight's Flexible Revolution: Perovskite Solar Aims to Power Everything
LAS VEGAS, NV β January 09, 2026 β Amid the dazzling spectacle of artificial intelligence and next-generation gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a relative newcomer has unfurled a vision of the future that is thin, flexible, and powered by light. BiLight, making its debut at the massive tech gathering, emerged as a formidable "dark horse" in the green technology space, showcasing a portfolio of perovskite photovoltaic (PV) products that could fundamentally reshape our relationship with energy.
While CES 2026 buzzed with the theme "Defining the Physical Boundaries of AI," BiLight demonstrated how the physical world itself could become a source of power, seamlessly integrating green energy into the fabric of daily life. The company's vision, encapsulated in the ambitious goal of "Energy Equity," challenges the long-held perception of solar power as something confined to rigid, bulky panels on rooftops.
From Rigid Panels to Pliable Power
At its Las Vegas Convention Center booth, BiLight presented a trio of innovations that drew significant industry attention by dissolving the boundaries between device and power source. The centerpiece was a world-first rollable flexible perovskite solar curtain. More than just a window treatment, the product integrates sunshade and heat insulation with the ability to generate electricity, directly powering home and office devices. It represents a tangible step toward a future where building facades are active participants in the energy ecosystem.
For the growing market of outdoor enthusiasts and digital nomads, the company unveiled a handheld rollable solar product. Its lightweight portability and efficient charging capabilities promise to alleviate the "battery life anxiety" that plagues modern device users, offering a practical way to supplement power far from the nearest electrical outlet.
Perhaps most illustrative of the company's scenario-based approach was the lithium-free perovskite electronic nameplate. Optimized for low-light indoor environments, the device harvests energy from ordinary office lighting to power its e-paper display. Paired with Bluetooth for easy updates, it offers a "seamless charging and permanent use" solution that eliminates the waste of paper nameplates and the environmental concerns tied to lithium-ion batteries. The innovation sparked immediate interest from office equipment manufacturers, signaling a potential disruption in commercial building management.
The Perovskite Promise: Maturing from Lab to Market
BiLight's product showcase is built on the promise of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), a next-generation technology lauded for its high efficiency and low-cost manufacturing potential. While traditional silicon panels have dominated the market for decades, perovskites offer a compelling alternative. They are lighter, more flexible, and can be produced using simpler, less energy-intensive methods like inkjet printing.
The global perovskite solar cell market, valued at an estimated $0.7 billion in 2023, is projected to surge to $2.7 billion by 2028, reflecting intense investor and industry confidence. China has become a hotbed for PSC research, and while BiLight, founded in 2023, is a newer player, it enters a dynamic field alongside established giants like CATL and Trina Solar.
Historically, the primary hurdle for perovskites has been durability, as early versions degraded quickly when exposed to heat and sunlight. However, the technology is rapidly maturing. Recent breakthroughs are systematically overcoming these stability issues. A January 2026 study from researchers at Manchester University, for instance, demonstrated a method to create perovskite cells that retained over 95% of their efficiency after 1,100 hours of continuous operation under harsh conditions. Furthermore, new encapsulation techniques are enabling manufacturers to offer 20-year lifespans, putting perovskites on par with the guarantees of traditional panels. With lab efficiencies now exceeding 25%βand BiLight's own curtain boasting over 18% with strong low-light performanceβthe technology appears poised to move from the laboratory to widespread commercial application.
A Web of Alliances for a 'PV+' Future
Beyond its product lineup, BiLight's strategy at CES was marked by a flurry of discussions aimed at forging cross-industry collaborations. This focus on partnership is central to the three-year product roadmap outlined by co-founder James Fang, which envisions a "PV+" ecosystem with full-scenario coverage across consumer electronics, automotive, building-integrated PV (BIPV), and satellite energy.
The company held in-depth talks with a leading energy storage enterprise to jointly develop integrated "flexible PV + portable storage" solutions. In the automotive sector, discussions with industry representative SHM explored applications like rollable solar sunroofs and in-cabin curtain PV, opening new pathways to enhance electric vehicle range and power onboard systems. The push into vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) is a growing trend, and perovskite's lightweight nature makes it an ideal candidate.
Further illustrating the convergence of green energy and AI, BiLight engaged with AI hardware firm BleeqUp and satellite equipment companies. These talks centered on using flexible perovskite technology to provide persistent, low-level power for smart terminals, remote IoT sensors, and even assets in low-Earth orbit. For satellites, where weight and power efficiency are paramount, the high power-to-weight ratio of flexible PSCs offers a distinct advantage over heavier, rigid solar arrays. While ambitious, this roadmap aligns with strong market trends, particularly in the high-growth BIPV and consumer electronics sectors, suggesting a feasible path to market expansion.
The Vision of 'Energy Equity'
Underpinning BiLight's technological and commercial ambitions is its brand mission of achieving "Energy Equity." This concept moves beyond simple green energy production to focus on democratizing access to power. The inherent qualities of flexible perovskite technology are uniquely suited to this goal.
The technology's portability and adaptability could bring power to remote, off-grid communities where extending traditional electrical grids is cost-prohibitive. Products like the handheld solar charger can empower individuals in disaster zones or underserved regions with energy independence. The superior performance of perovskites in low-light and cloudy conditions also means more reliable power generation in a wider range of geographic locations and indoor environments.
If the promise of lower-cost, scalable manufacturing is realized, perovskite solar could significantly reduce the price of clean energy, making it accessible to a broader global population. By embedding power generation into the objects and structures we use every day, from windows and vehicles to personal electronics, BiLight and its competitors are not just creating new products; they are pioneering a decentralized energy model. This shift could empower individuals and communities, fostering energy resilience and making the promise of clean, accessible power a reality for everyone.
π This article is still being updated
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