Ricoh Company, Ltd. announced on October 27, 2026, that it is going to build the manufacturing for inkjet-printed perovskite solar cells as the company progresses toward achieving mass production.
The company is going to be building a production site located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, at Ricoh Industry Co., Ltd.’s Tohoku Site, and plans to ramp up to a yearly production capacity of several hundred megawatts – MW by 2030 and to gigawatt – GW scale manufacturing in the years ahead.
It is worth noting that the perovskite solar cell manufacturing project from Ricoh has been chosen to receive support under the GX – Green Transformation Supply Chain Development Support Program, which is supervised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry – METI from Japan.
Ricoh is applying its inkjet technology that can deposit the correct amount of material precisely where it is needed to create all functional coatings of perovskite solar cells. This allows for efficient use of material and simplifies manufacturing processes with an objective to improve efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs.
Ricoh is moving to commercialize functional printing, which refers to applying inkjet technologies created via its commercial and industrial printing businesses to manufacturing procedures like the coating and deposition of functional materials. This is as part of its medium- to long-term expansion strategy. One of the projects in this campaign is inkjet-printed perovskite solar cells. After the selection, Ricoh plans to carry out research, development, and exhibition activities aimed at mass manufacturing and commercialization, with the goal of increasing the practical implementation of perovskite solar cells and developing new business prospects.
Background
Perovskite solar cells have attracted attention recently because their thin, light, and flexible features are considered to be effective as the transition to a decarbonized society speeds up and the share of renewable energy continues to grow. These features facilitate setup on rooftops and walls of restricted load-bearing buildings, where traditional silicon solar cells are challenging to install, thus increasing possibilities for power generation.
But to be widely adopted, in addition to power generation performance and durability improvement, stable-quality mass production technologies and reduction of production cost are still issues to be resolved.
Setting up of production capacities
Ricoh will set up a production site at the Tohoku Site of Ricoh Industry in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, so as to have mass production of inkjet-printed perovskite solar cells. The site will use a manufacturing process based on Ricoh’s exclusive inkjet technology. Ricoh plans to boost annual production capacity to several hundred MW by 2030, keeping in mind the future expansion to GW-scale production.
Benefits of perovskite solar cell technology from Ricoh
(i) Inkjet technology for pattern printing of all functional layers
Ricoh makes use of its renowned inkjet printhead technology and ink supply technology as well as printing system technology when it comes to the manufacturing of perovskite solar cells.
Inkjet technology allows for accurate control over microscopic droplets, enabling the correct quantity of material to be placed precisely where it is needed. Ricoh is utilizing this technology to pattern-print all the functional layers as far as perovskite solar cells are concerned, thus improving material utilization and simplifying the manufacturing processes in order to realize high productivity along with low-cost production.
(ii) Organic photoconductor technology for multi-function printers
Ricoh has been researching and developing organic solar cells using organic photoconductor technologies innovated in the creation of multifunctional printers.
Technologies generated from these initiatives are now being deployed for perovskite solar cells.
Ricoh aims to improve the efficiency of perovskite solar cells and develop mass-production technologies by making use of its long-held inkjet and organic photoconductor technologies.
- Progress so far and future outlook
In September 2025, the development and demonstration project from Ricoh for inkjet-printed perovskite solar cell technology was chosen for assistance under the Green Innovation Fund, which is administered by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization – NEDO in Japan.
Ricoh’s efforts were selected under the GX Supply Chain Development Support Program of Japan. Based on the outcomes of its research, development, and demonstration activities, Ricoh will work to promote advancement toward mass production and commercialization, aimed at broadening the practical implementation of perovskite solar cells. Ricoh will also make a contribution to enhancing the industrial competitiveness of Japan in the GX domain.
The company will also accelerate the commercialization of functional printing by way of using inkjet technology and develop new growth areas.