Miromico partners with Panasonic for IoT solar cell

Panasonic has collaborated with Swiss IoT equipment maker Miromicro to develop a customised solar cell for an industrial sensor system. The miro Insight Lux sensor is designed to monitor indoor air quality with precision, utilizing NDIR technology to detect CO2 levels, as well as measuring temperature, air pressure, humidity, and ambient light. Powering this advanced sensor system is a custom version of the Amorton solar cell from Panasonic Industry.

According to Robert Spiegler, Lead Product Manager at Panasonic Industry Europe, the solar cell was specifically tailored for Miromico to meet technical and aesthetic requirements. The solar cell is engineered to operate reliably in various lighting conditions, including artificial low-light and natural bright light settings. The unique shape of the solar cell, featuring rounded corners and cutouts for status LEDs, presented a significant challenge during the design process.

One of the key features of the glass-based solar cells is their nearly perfect black-reflective surface and optimized efficiency. The production process has expanded the active area significantly compared to previous generations, resulting in a 20% increase in energy efficiency for the AMG- and AMH-series of indoor amorphous solar cells. These advancements contribute to the sustainability of devices like the miro Insight Lux, which require highly reliable components with longevity.

“For our latest product development of the miro Insight Lux, our development team carefully evaluated existing technologies to make informed decisions on component selection,” stated Liliane Paradise, COO at Miromico in Zurich. The collaboration with Panasonic proved to be invaluable, with the Panasonic team providing excellent support from the initial stages of development. Quantitatively verifiable specifications and regular development samples were instrumental in guiding the development process.

As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, the integration of solar power in IoT devices represents a significant step towards reducing environmental impact. The partnership between Panasonic and Miromico exemplifies the innovation and collaboration necessary to drive the adoption of renewable energy sources in industrial applications. By leveraging advanced solar cell technology, the miro Insight Lux sensor system showcases the potential for sustainable energy solutions in the IoT sector.