ESPResSo · Project

Cheaper, Printable Solar Panels That Can Cover Any Building Surface

energyTestedTRL 5

espresso-h2020.eu

Imagine if you could print solar panels almost like printing a newspaper — using liquid inks instead of expensive silicon wafers. That's what perovskite solar cells promise. This project took that idea from tiny lab samples and scaled it up to panels the size of a small table (35×35 cm), proving they can hit over 17% efficiency and potentially last more than 20 years. They even installed a working panel on an actual building façade to prove it works in the real world.

By the numbers

>17%

Module efficiency achieved on 35×35 cm² aperture area

0.05€/kWh

Target electricity cost in Southern Europe

>20 years

Target reliable performance lifespan under IEC testing

12%

Efficiency for flexible hexagonal/leaf-shaped modules on 10×10 cm²

35×35 cm²

Large-area module size demonstrated

Consortium partners across 10 countries

46%

Industry ratio in consortium

The business problem

What needed solving

Solar energy is growing fast, but current silicon panels are rigid, heavy, and expensive to manufacture. Building owners and architects want solar surfaces that fit any shape — façades, curved roofs, semi-transparent windows — but conventional technology cannot deliver this affordably. The industry needs a cheaper, flexible, printable alternative that still performs reliably for decades.

The solution

What was built

The project built large-area (35×35 cm²) perovskite solar modules exceeding 17% efficiency, demonstrated a working BIPV façade element installed outdoors, and prototyped flexible hexagonal and leaf-shaped modules at 12% efficiency on 10×10 cm² substrates. All modules were tested against IEC certification standards.

Audience

Who needs this

BIPV façade manufacturers looking for lightweight, semi-transparent solar glassThin-film solar module producers seeking next-generation perovskite production linesArchitectural firms designing net-zero energy buildingsFlexible electronics companies needing integrated power for curved productsSolar project developers targeting ultra-low-cost PV in Southern European markets

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)

mid-size

Target: Façade manufacturers and architectural glass companies

If you are a façade manufacturer looking for solar-generating building surfaces — this project demonstrated perovskite solar technology integrated into an actual BIPV façade element with outdoor performance data. The modules target electricity costs as low as 0.05€/kWh in Southern Europe, potentially far below conventional BIPV. Semi-transparent and flexible form factors open design possibilities that rigid silicon panels simply cannot offer.

Solar module manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Thin-film PV manufacturers and solar equipment suppliers

If you are a solar manufacturer seeking next-generation thin-film technology — this project produced 35×35 cm² perovskite modules at over 17% efficiency using low-CAPEX, industry-relevant manufacturing techniques. Full loss analysis compared their interconnection process against conventional methods. This gives you a concrete technology pathway to add perovskite production lines alongside or instead of existing thin-film capacity.

Flexible and specialty electronics

SME

Target: Companies producing flexible electronics, wearables, or IoT power solutions

If you are a company developing flexible or curved electronic products that need lightweight integrated power — this project prototyped hexagonal and leaf-shaped flexible perovskite modules on 10×10 cm² substrates achieving 12% efficiency. These arbitrary-shaped, semi-transparent modules can be integrated into surfaces where rigid panels are impossible, opening new product categories in consumer electronics and smart surfaces.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would electricity from these panels actually cost?

The project validated a potential electricity cost as low as 0.05€/kWh in Southern Europe. This target was based on the low-CAPEX manufacturing techniques demonstrated during the project. Actual commercial costs would depend on scaling, but this benchmark is significantly below many current BIPV solutions.

Can this technology scale to industrial production?

The project specifically addressed scale-up, moving from small lab cells to 35×35 cm² modules using industry-relevant manufacturing techniques. With 6 industrial partners (46% of the consortium) and 4 SMEs involved, the manufacturing chain was designed with commercialization in mind. The low-CAPEX equipment requirement further supports industrial scalability.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

The consortium of 13 partners across 10 countries includes IMEC (Belgium) as coordinator — one of Europe's leading microelectronics research centers. Based on available project data, IP generated would be governed by the consortium agreement. Interested companies should contact the coordinator to discuss licensing or collaboration opportunities.

How long do these panels actually last?

The project targeted more than 20 years of reliable performance, validated through IEC-compliant testing conditions. This is the same certification standard used for conventional solar panels. The BIPV façade demonstration element was installed outdoors with in-use performance data gathering to verify real-world durability.

Can these panels be integrated into existing building designs?

Yes — the project demonstrated both a BIPV façade element for building integration and flexible, semi-transparent modules in arbitrary shapes (hexagonal, leaf-shaped). This means architects are not limited to flat rooftop installations. The technology can be adapted to curved surfaces, windows, and decorative elements.

What regulations or certifications apply?

The project used IEC-compliant test conditions, which is the international standard for photovoltaic module certification. This means the technology was evaluated against the same benchmarks that commercial solar panels must meet. Any commercial product would still need to complete full IEC certification independently.

Consortium

Who built it

The ESPResSo consortium brings together 13 partners from 10 countries with a strong industrial orientation — 6 industry players and 4 SMEs make up 46% of the team, which is unusually high for a research project. IMEC in Belgium, one of Europe's top microelectronics R&D centers, leads the effort. The geographic spread across Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Switzerland, Cyprus, and the UK covers major European solar markets. With 3 universities and 4 research organizations providing the science, and industry partners ensuring manufacturing relevance, this consortium was clearly structured to push perovskite solar from lab curiosity toward industrial reality.

INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO-ELECTRONICA CENTRUMCoordinator · BE
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA TOR VERGATAparticipant · IT
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNEparticipant · CH
SAULE SPOLKA AKCYJNAparticipant · PL
CORNING SASparticipant · FR
CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHEparticipant · IT
DYCOTEC MATERIALS LTDparticipant · UK
UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUSparticipant · CY
ONYX SOLAR ENERGY SLparticipant · ES
CONSORZIO INTERUNIVERSITARIO PERLO SVILUPPO DEI SISTEMI A GRANDE INTERFASEparticipant · IT
M-SOLV LTDparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

IMEC (Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum), Belgium — a leading European research center in nanoelectronics and digital technologies

Order a report on this consortium See INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO-ELECTRONICA CENTRUM profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the ESPResSo team to explore licensing their perovskite module technology or manufacturing process? Contact SciTransfer for a matchmaking consultation.

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