NET NOWAK ENERGIE & TECHNOLOGIE AG

Their core work

NET Nowak Energie & Technologie AG is a Swiss energy technology consultancy specialising in coordinating European solar research networks. Their H2020 role was running the SOLAR-ERA.NET program — an ERA-NET Cofund initiative that aligns and co-finances national solar R&D programs across Europe, essentially acting as the administrative and strategic hub for multi-country solar research calls. They do not conduct primary research themselves; rather, they manage complex multi-stakeholder coordination across national funding agencies, research institutes, and industry partners. Their value lies in deep knowledge of European solar research policy, funding architecture, and the ability to convene diverse national programs under shared scientific priorities.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 work (2016–2018), NET Nowak coordinated a broad solar portfolio covering photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and explicit alignment with the EU SET Plan — suggesting a mandate to map national solar programs against EU-level strategic priorities. By their second project (2018–2023), CSP dropped from the foreground and solar thermal electricity appeared instead, while photovoltaics remained the constant anchor. This shift likely reflects changing commercial and policy momentum in European solar — PV has remained dominant, while solar thermal gained relevance as heating decarbonisation moved up the policy agenda.

They are consolidating around the two solar technologies with the strongest near-term commercial and policy traction — utility-scale PV and solar thermal — suggesting future collaboration opportunities in network coordination for heat decarbonisation and large-scale solar deployment programs.

How they like to work

NET Nowak always leads: both of their H2020 projects were coordinated by them, with zero participation roles. Their ERA-NET model means they convene large, geographically diverse consortia — 22 partners across 15 countries from just two projects — rather than working in tight specialist teams. This is not a company you bring in as a technical expert; this is an organisation you bring in when you need someone to run a European network, manage joint calls, and align national programs.

Despite only two projects, NET Nowak has built an unusually wide network of 22 partners spanning 15 countries — a footprint typical of ERA-NET coordinators who must engage national research agencies from across Europe. Their reach is genuinely pan-European rather than regionally concentrated.

What sets them apart

NET Nowak occupies a rare niche: a small Swiss private company with the track record and relationships to coordinate multi-million-euro ERA-NET solar programs on behalf of Europe's national research funders. Most ERA-NET coordinators are large research institutes or public agencies — a lean SME doing this work signals unusually strong network capital and process expertise. For any consortium looking to set up a new ERA-NET or joint programming initiative in solar energy, this organisation brings the relationships and operational know-how that larger partners typically lack.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SOLAR-ERA.NET Cofund
  The founding project of the SOLAR-ERA.NET network (2016–2022), coordinated by NET Nowak to align national PV and CSP research programs across Europe under the EU SET Plan — a structurally significant initiative despite its modest direct EC funding.
• Solar Cofund 2
  The successor network (2018–2023) receiving EUR 59,812 in EC co-funding, confirming NET Nowak's ongoing mandate to run European solar research coordination and marking their expansion into solar thermal electricity alongside PV.