ExpectedOutcome:
Photovoltaic power generation is pivotal in the transition to a clean energy system and the achievement of the zero-emissions target. To that end, it is important to enhance affordability, security of supply and sustainability of PV technologies along with further efficiency improvements. To insure security of supply, retaining the whole value chain in Europe is essential; technology de-risking is a necessary step towards this direction. Consequently, project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes:
- Promote a considerable pipeline of new and advanced versions of existing technologies from lab to fab production, enabling robust continued performance increase, opening up new applications and facilitating further cost reduction.
- Reinforce the European PV value chain, support local companies to develop and sell differentiated and high value PV products and create local jobs.
- Demonstrate the feasibility and cost-competiveness of the novel PV technologies.
- Contribute towards establishing a solid European innovation base.
- Enable and facilitate large-scale deployment of PV and generation of renewable electricity.
- Minimise the impact of PV on landscape and environment by increasing its energy yield/m2.
Scope:
Net-zero scenarios modelled by the JRC[1] show that Europe needs to install up to 600 GW PV generation capacity by 2030 and over 1 TW by 2050 to reach its climate and energy objectives. The European market will grow 10-15% per year and reach close to 80 GW by 2030. In this race, Europe has a unique opportunity to develop and deploy new generation PV modules. A considerable number of new and advanced/innovative technologies is in the pipeline but the concrete application on pilot manufacturing lines is lagging behind. The aim is therefore to advance those technologies that offer the potential for much higher efficiency and/or higher energy yield, the same lifetime and degradation rate and comparable cost to standard crystalline technologies, opening-up possibilities for largescale 4.0 factories to drive down costs, allowing large relocation of production to Europe.
The proposal should address all of the following:
- Develop and demonstrate at pilot line level innovative or alternative and advanced versions of existing PV technologies: the pilot lines should show the feasibility and cost-competitiveness of industrial production of cells and modules.
- Develop corresponding manufacturing equipment.
- Implement Industry 4.0 concepts.
- Test and validate the performance characteristics of manufactured products (efficiency, durability, reliability, etc.).
- Demonstrate a business case for manufacturing plants of individual output capacity in the GW range and a market introduction strategy.
- Address the following related aspects: lower environmental impact, better resource efficiency than current commercial renewable technologies, circularity potential (including recycling and sustainability by design).
- Document all demonstrators fully and transparently to ensure replicability and up scaling, to assist future planning decisions.
The proposal should involve multidisciplinary consortia including industrial partners.
Specific Topic Conditions:
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.
Cross-cutting Priorities:
Digital AgendaArtificial Intelligence
[1]https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109836
