UbiQD Secures Quantum Dot Supply Pact with First Solar

First Solar has signed an exclusive, multi-year supply agreement with UbiQD, a quantum dot (QD) nanotechnology provider, to integrate UbiQD’s proprietary fluorescent quantum dot technology into First Solar’s thin-film bifacial photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

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The partnership marks a significant milestone for the quantum dot industry, representing the first high-volume QD supply agreement outside the display sector. The agreement is expected to drive early adoption of QD technology in thin-film solar modules, potentially scaling UbiQD’s production to over 100 metric tons annually, the official statement said.

Enhancing Solar Efficiency with Quantum Dots

UbiQD’s quantum dot technology, originally developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is seen as a breakthrough in solar efficiency. 

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When embedded within solar panel encapsulation, these quantum dots can more than double the bifacial quantum efficiency at specific wavelengths of light. This enhancement allows for improved light conversion, which is critical as solar manufacturers compete on both performance and cost.

“At utility scale, even small gains in bifaciality can significantly boost energy yields,” said Markus Gloeckler, Chief Technology Officer at First Solar. “We are excited about the potential for quantum dots to meaningfully enhance the performance of our bifacial modules.”

A Turning Point for Quantum Dot Commercialisation

The two US-based companies initially began joint development in 2023, with successful outcomes leading to this new supply agreement and an expanded research and development collaboration. 

The partnership comes as the United States accelerates efforts to expand competitive power generation capacity to meet growing demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing.

“This is a turning point for the quantum dot industry,” said Hunter McDaniel, the founder and CEO of UbiQD. “This partnership demonstrates how US innovation can deliver differentiated solar performance, especially when efficiency breakthroughs are more crucial than ever.”

UbiQD’s Growth and Manufacturing Expansion

The supply agreement follows UbiQD’s recent USD 20 million Series B fundraise in April 2025. With this, the company plans to build one of the world’s largest quantum dot manufacturing facilities in New Mexico. 

With this facility, UbiQD aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in quantum technology while boosting domestic production of critical nanomaterials for clean energy applications.