Tandem PV Advances Higher-Efficiency, Lower-Cost Solar with New Demonstration Factory
Last month, Tandem PV, a Trellis Climate portfolio company, celebrated the opening of its commercial demonstration factory in Fremont, California, in a significant step toward bringing next-generation perovskite-silicon tandem solar panel manufacturing to scale.
Members of the Tandem PV team gather for a photo during the Fremont factory ribbon cutting: Credit: Tandem PV
The ribbon-cutting event, held just ahead of Earth Day, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, customers, and partners to recognize the milestone, including former U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild, and Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan.
Tandem PV employees show the manufacturing process at the Fremont demonstration factory. Credit: Tandem PV
Trellis Climate invested in Tandem PV in April 2025 to help accelerate the company's path to commercialization. Recognizing that traditional silicon solar panels have nearly reached their performance limits, Tandem PV has developed perovskite-based tandem solar technology that delivers significantly higher energy output compared to traditional silicon and CadTel solar panels.
Images from across the Tandem PV factory. Credit: Tandem PV
In a recent appearance on TheOnePoint podcast, CEO Scott Wharton described Tandem PV’s approach as a “solar panel sandwich,” where a perovskite layer is stacked on top of a traditional silicon base to boost performance rather than replace existing technology. The ultra-thin coating enables significantly higher efficiency, 30+%, or roughly 40% more power output, while preserving the underlying silicon structure and manufacturing base.
Tandem PV CEO, Scott Wharton, speaking during the factory ribbon cutting. Credit: Tandem PV
Trellis’ goal in supporting the company’s scale-up was to help them achieve their emissions reduction potential sooner. By generating more electricity from the same footprint as traditional solar, Tandem PV’s technology reduces the total project cost of a solar installation, which also translates into shorter permitting and construction timelines. All of which accelerates adoption, meaning more clean energy can come online to serve both existing electricity demands and new demand from electrifying fossil fuel end-uses (like electric vehicles) and data centers.The company's new 65,000-square-foot facility in Fremont is an important step in validating its manufacturing approach and preparing for broader commercial deployment.
A finished panel standing outside of the Tandem PV factory. Credit: Tandem PV
For Trellis, this achievement reflects the critical role catalytic capital can play in helping climate technologies bridge the scale-up gap. Since launching in 2024, Trellis has deployed more than $11 million to support companies developing early-stage infrastructure, an essential but often underfunded stage of growth.
We're especially excited that members of the Trellis team, including Managing Director Lara Pierpoint and Senior Director, Investments & Programs, Emily Lewis O'Brien, were able to attend the celebration in person.
To learn more about supporting project-ready climate companies, reach out to Lara Pierpoint.
