Phytonics secures seven-digit investment

16.03.2023 Daniela Musial-Lemberg News

Phytonics, a pioneer in the field of PV module coating, has successfully closed a seven-digit Seed funding round. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), one of Europe's leading seed investors, EIT InnoEnergy, the innovation engine for sustainable energy across Europe, as well as the renowned Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and business angels are participating in the round. The new capital will be used for further development and market launch of the revolutionary anti-reflective coating for solar modules.

Phytonics’ novel coating is based on micro- and nanostructures that enable up to 10 % higher annual electrical energy yields through higher efficiency in capturing and converting sunlight, while at the same time making the modules glare-free. The glare-free guarantee allows to open up new areas for solar parks and installations, such as the surroundings of airports, motorways and railway tracks, but also in an urban context, where reflective solar modules are often unwelcome or even prohibited.

“We are very pleased to receive this support in our mission to revolutionise the PV industry,” said Dr. Ruben Hünig, Co-CEO of Phytonics. “This funding will allow us to advance our research and bring this breakthrough technology to market, expected by the end of 2023, to make solar energy a practical and efficient option for all.”

The Phytonics anti-reflective film is the result of more than seven years of research and development. With its combined micro- and nanostructure, it replicates the epidermis of rose petals over a large area. It almost completely suppresses reflection for all wavelengths and angles of incidence of light. This makes it far superior to conventional anti-reflective coatings leading to annual gains in electricity generation of up to ten percent for solar modules.

“To compete with other world regions like China, Europe will have to play to its strengths and bring the most advanced PV products to market, at industrial scale. Phytonics’ solution for anti-reflective coating is an excellent example of how that can practically look like. The technology has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of solar modules and make them a preferred option for homes, businesses and even large-scale power generation,” said Christian Müller, Member of the Executive Board of EIT InnoEnergy and CEO for the DACH region.

“The expansion of the photovoltaic industry is urgently needed to meet climate targets. However, it is limited by problems such as glare from solar modules. That is why we are excited to support the KIT spin-off Phytonics in its unique solution for completely glare-free modules that also convert light into electricity much more efficiently”, says Dr. Katharina Peters, Investment Manager at HTGF.

“Phytonics is a High-Tech spin-off of KIT, the bionic technology is based on several years of research work. KIT already supported the commercialization of the technology within the framework of funding projects of the Federal Ministry for Economics Affairs and Climate Protection. We are very pleased to now accompany the company’s growth together with the other investors of the Seed funding round,” says Dr. Eric Braun, investment manager at KIT.

The KIT spin-off Phytonics was our start-up of the month one year ago. If you want to get to know the team, listen to the podcast episode with Ruben and Moritz from the founding team.