Collaboration & Funding

The collaboration of diverse partners is crucial in propelling research forward, combining unique perspectives and expertise to unlock new discoveries and innovations, a process significantly accelerated by the key support we receive from the European Union.

Funding and Projects


 

 

High-Efficiency Perovskites on Flexible Substrates for Sustainable Applications.

To address the rising energy demands sustainably, Halide Perovskites (HaP) have emerged as a game-changer in photovoltaic (PV) technology due to their exceptional lab-scale performance. The commercialization of HaP-based solar cells is now a global priority. However, challenges in scaling up production for efficient, stable, and eco-friendly cells persist. The European project HEPAFLEX aims to revolutionize this space by developing high-performance, flexible Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs), utilizing rapid photonic annealing and large-area thin-film techniques, combined with eco-friendly chemistry. This not only reduces the cells' environmental and economic footprint but also offers versatile applications.

The project strategy incorporates a flexible substitution system designed to extend the lifespan of rigid power modules beyond 25 years. This extension not only diminishes overall operational costs but also reduces carbon emissions significantly. Additionally, the innovative process paves the way for effective, flexible applications at non-utility scales, thereby alleviating land-use conflicts. The project enhances technology safety by incorporating Pb-sequestration additive active sealants, which are seamlessly integrated with recycling methods to enable responsible material reuse.

HEPAFLEX is dedicated to innovating sustainable photovoltaic technology, with a focus on manufacturing processes that prioritize circularity, flexibility, versatility, and material recycling.

Project value: 5 043 022.50 €

Duration: 01/11/2023 – 31/10/2027

The project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme. 

Project No.101122345

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                               

  


 

Scalable High-power Output and Low cost MAde-to-measure Tandem Solar Modules Enabling Specialized PV Applications.

 

The European project SolMates aims to provide a novel industrial, scalable technology for producing flexible, durable, made-to-measure, two-terminal CIGSe/perovskite multijunction thin-film PV modules. By combining the two thin-film photovoltaic technologies on a lightweight, flexible foil substrate, new applications like photovoltaics integrated in electronic devices, vehicles, fabric and airplanes will be possible and economically feasible.

Beyond expanding lab-sized prototypes into devices that cover areas greater than 100 cm² and achieving a minimum power conversion efficiency of 25%, the development of an environmentally friendly and efficient recycling strategy for end-of-life tandem modules stands as a crucial priority. This holistic approach ensures that technological advancements and sustainability measures are addressed, meeting the stringent requirements needed for industrial-scale deployment.

Project value: 6 066 277.00 €

Duration: 01/12/2023 - 30/11/2026

The project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme. 

Project No. 101122288

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                

  

 

A Proactive Approach to the Recovery and Recycling of Photovoltaic Modules

 

The APOLLO project is set to transform current inefficient PV waste recycling methods, which predominantly recover low-value materials, into a sustainable and cost-effective system. By efficiently reclaiming high-quality materials, the project aims to minimize environmental impact and support the creation of new PV modules. APOLLO's pilot line will handle 40 tonnes of PV waste to produce materials sufficient for one tonne of new silicon and thirty prototype modules. This initiative will employ innovative techniques to separate valuable materials like silicon and metals, implementing a closed-loop system to minimize waste and environmental footprint. By boosting material recovery rates from 18% to 93%, APOLLO intends to utilize the high-purity recycled materials to manufacture new ingots and modules, specifically designed for easier recycling. The project will also explore the recovery of high-purity perovskite in tandem Si/perovskite modules, advancing future PV technologies. Furthermore, APOLLO will introduce blockchain-enabled Digital Product Passports and an online marketplace, aiming to improve the efficiency and traceability of PV component recycling.

Project value: 5 325 755.76 €

Duration: 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2026

The project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme. 

Project No. 101122277

 

 

 

  

                                                                                                                               

 

 

Printed Perovskite Solar Cells for Large Area User Applications

 

Renewable energies provide clean, inexhaustible, and increasingly competitive energy source differing from fossil fuels in diversity, abundance, and potential for use. Solar energy capacity in European Union has been increasing in recent years with Germany, Spain and Poland leading the way in new installations. In 2022, the European Union added a record-breaking 41.4GW of solar power, increasing the total solar power capacity by 25%. Within the solar energy market, perovskite-based solar cells (PSCs) will contribute significantly towards the overall mix of solar energy due to PSCs differentiators compare to other solar Photovoltaic technologies of: (i) low-cost, (ii) excellent power-to-weight performance and (iii) high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.7% at lab-scale in 2022, up from 3.8% in 2009. A key challenge of PSC technology is replication at large-scale as there is a substantial difference in performance from small-area cell (lab-scale) and large-area module performance. PERSEUS is designed to establish a foundation for PSC production and application development within Europe. The project will develop and demonstrate 3 different large area PSC architectures that offer broad adoption potential across multiple industries such as Floating Photovoltaics, Building Integrated and Applied Photovoltaics, Agri-Photovoltaics and Urban Photovoltaics. As each end-user requires different properties (e.g. performance, lifetime and cost targets), PERSEUS will develop parallel solutions to meet end-user needs covering: (1) single-junction opaque modules (2) semi-transparent modules and (3) 4T Perovskite + CIGS tandem module architectures. These will be translated into ‘blueprints’, of multi-stage manufacturing line(s) which have validated, matched outputs and allow immediate post-project progress to the commercialization phase.

Project value: 6 433 264.06 €

Duration: 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2027

The project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme. 

Project No. 101147547