North East Mayor Kim McGuinness today (25 March 2026) welcomed a deal between County-Durham based green energy firm Power Roll and Japanese utility giant Tokyo Gas which will see its solar technology deployed for the first time outside Europe.
The Joint Development Agreement (JDA) signed between the two companies follows the Mayor’s trade mission to Japan last year, where she was able to demonstrate Power Roll’s revolutionary solar film technology to Tokyo Gas senior executives.
The landmark partnership between Power Roll and Tokyo Gas will support the Seaham firm to scale-up to become a global exporter, building a supply chain to enable future largescale production for the Japanese market.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, said: “This partnership between Power Roll and Tokyo Gas shows the depth of opportunity there is to secure and grow green energy investment and with that jobs in places like County Durham.
“I was proud to meet with Tokyo Gas on behalf of Power Roll during our trade mission to Japan last year, when I saw first-hand the global appetite there is in our cutting-edge technology, so I am delighted it has now led to this agreement.
“North East England has the people, the technology and the spirit of innovation to become the home of the green energy revolution. Our engineers and our businesses are making a real difference on the global stage, and we are backing them to deliver the job security and growth opportunities that brings.”
Neil Spann, Chief Executive of Power Roll, said: "This Joint Development Agreement with Tokyo Gas represents a major milestone in our long standing relationship as we work to bring our game-changing solar film technology to market.
“Tokyo Gas is a natural partner for us, thanks to their expertise, innovation, and commitment to driving clean energy solutions. Together, we aim to establish Japan as the global leader in perovskite solar technology while addressing critical energy challenges globally.
“This partnership underscores the long-term potential of our collaboration to create impactful solutions for renewable energy generation. By combining Power Roll’s cutting-edge solar technology with Tokyo Gas’s market leadership, ability to scale and infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for a new era in solar power that will redefine how and where solar energy is deployed.”
The agreement will move forward technical designs for Power Roll’s unique developments in the field of perovskite solar film into the next phase of product development, bringing flexible, lightweight, and ultra-low-cost solar technology closer to large-scale deployment. Power Roll will work with Tokyo Gas to evaluate wider of use cases, routes to market, certification requirements and commercial potential across Japan.
Tokyo Gas already has an active R&D programme in the field of perovskite solar cells, and this partnership will see the first precommercial trial deployments of Power Roll’s solar film at Tokyo Gas facilities in Japan to assess real world performance. Representing a critical opportunity to integrate lightweight, flexible solar energy solutions into the built environment. Unlike traditional solar panels, which are typically ground-mounted, Power Roll’s ultra-light solar films can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including rooftops and vertical building facades, enabling widespread adoption in urban and commercial settings.
This partnership also aligns with Japan’s drive to accelerate advancements in perovskite photovoltaics, further cementing its position as a leader in renewable energy innovation. The company’s solar film technology is designed for ultra-low-cost production using non-toxic materials and roll-to-roll manufacturing processes rather than more costly alternatives.