SUNPLUGGED - SOLARE ENERGIESYSTEME GMBH

Their core work

Sunplugged is an Austrian SME specializing in thin-film photovoltaic technologies, with a particular focus on building-integrated and product-integrated PV (BIPV/PIPV) solutions. They develop flexible, semi-transparent solar modules using earth-abundant materials like kesterites, eliminating dependence on scarce elements such as indium. Their work spans the full chain from advanced PV material development to integration into architectural surfaces, windows, and consumer products — making solar energy functional in places where traditional rigid panels cannot go.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Sunplugged's trajectory shows a clear shift from PV material recovery toward advanced PV integration. Their earliest project (CABRISS, 2015–2018) focused on circular economy — recycling indium and silicon from solar manufacturing waste. From 2019 onward, they pivoted sharply to application-driven PV: first transparent solar windows (Solar-Win), then highly customised kesterite-based BIPV for architecture and active transport. The move signals growing confidence in turning lab-scale thin-film PV into real products for buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure.

Sunplugged is moving toward market-ready, earth-abundant BIPV products for architecture and mobility — expect them to seek partners in construction, urban design, and electric vehicles.

How they like to work

Sunplugged operates exclusively as a participant, contributing specialist PV manufacturing and integration know-how rather than leading consortia. With 39 unique partners across 15 countries from just 3 projects, they work in large, diverse consortia — typical for Innovation Actions where the path from lab to market requires a wide mix of material scientists, system integrators, and end-users. This makes them a reliable technical partner who brings deep manufacturing expertise without competing for project leadership.

Despite only 3 projects, Sunplugged has built a broad European network of 39 partners across 15 countries, indicating they are embedded in major PV research and innovation consortia spanning most of Western and Central Europe.

What sets them apart

Sunplugged occupies a niche that few European SMEs cover: they bridge the gap between advanced thin-film PV research and real-world integration into buildings, windows, and non-flat surfaces. Their focus on earth-abundant kesterite materials positions them as an alternative to companies dependent on scarce indium and tellurium. For consortium builders, they offer hands-on roll-to-roll manufacturing capability for flexible PV — a practical skill set that complements university labs and large-scale module producers alike.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CUSTOM-ART
  Their largest-funded and most recent project (EUR 511K, running to 2024), targeting disruptive kesterite BIPV — signals their current strategic direction.
• Solar-Win
  Highest single EC contribution (EUR 579K) and focused on the commercially promising niche of transparent solar windows for the built environment.
• CABRISS
  Their entry into H2020, focused on circular economy for PV materials — shows they understand the full lifecycle, not just manufacturing.