HighLite · Project

Ultra-Thin High-Efficiency Solar Modules for Buildings, Facades, and Vehicles

energyPilotedTRL 7

highlite-h2020.eu

Imagine solar panels that are paper-thin, super efficient, and can wrap around curved surfaces like car roofs. HighLite figured out how to make silicon solar cells as thin as a human hair (100 micrometers) while pushing their efficiency above 24%. They then turned these cells into ready-to-use modules for rooftops, building facades, and even 3D-curved vehicle surfaces — all with a smaller carbon footprint than what's on the market today. The work was done on pilot production lines, meaning these aren't just lab curiosities — they're manufactured at near-industrial scale.

By the numbers

≥24.5%

IBC cell efficiency (full-size)

≥23.5%

SHJ cell efficiency (full-size)

≤250 kg-eq.CO2/kWp

Carbon footprint of rooftop modules

≤5 kg/m²

Weight of lightweight BIPV and 3D-curved modules

100 µm

Silicon cell thickness (down from standard ~180 µm)

>105%

Cell-to-module power ratio (shingled modules)

19 partners, 9 countries

Consortium size and geographic spread

10,000

IBC cell precursors produced on pilot line

8,000

SHJ cell precursors produced on pilot line

The business problem

What needed solving

European solar manufacturers are losing ground to low-cost competitors, while builders and automakers need lightweight, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solar solutions that standard rigid panels cannot deliver. Current commercial modules are too heavy for vehicle integration, too ugly for building facades, and not efficient enough to justify the premium pricing needed to sustain European production.

The solution

What was built

HighLite built and demonstrated: high-efficiency solar cells (SHJ at ≥23.5%, IBC at ≥24.5%) manufactured on pilot lines using ultra-thin 100 µm silicon; rooftop modules at ≥22% efficiency with carbon footprint ≤250 kg-eq.CO2/kWp; building-integrated facade modules at ≥21% efficiency with ≤5 kg/m² weight and uniform color; and 3D-curved vehicle-integrated modules at ≥20% efficiency that pass automotive vibration tests.

Audience

Who needs this

Solar module manufacturers looking to compete with high-efficiency, low-cost European productionConstruction companies and architects designing net-zero or energy-positive buildingsAutomotive OEMs and EV manufacturers wanting vehicle-integrated solar chargingBIPV facade suppliers and building envelope specialistsRenewable energy project developers seeking higher-yield rooftop installations

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Building construction & renovation

mid-size

Target: Construction firms, property developers, and architects designing energy-efficient buildings

If you are a construction company or developer dealing with strict energy performance regulations and rising electricity costs — this project developed building-integrated PV modules with efficiency ≥21% and lightweight panels at ≤5 kg/m² with uniform color appearance. That means solar facades that look like regular building cladding, weigh far less than standard panels, and still generate significant power — helping you meet net-zero building codes without compromising design.

Automotive & electric vehicles

enterprise

Target: EV manufacturers, automotive OEMs, and vehicle component suppliers

If you are an automotive manufacturer looking to extend EV driving range or reduce charging dependency — this project developed 3D-curved vehicle-integrated PV modules with efficiency ≥20% and weight ≤5 kg/m² that pass automotive vibration tests. These curved solar modules can be shaped to fit car roofs and body panels, adding solar charging capability without significant weight penalty or aerodynamic compromise.

Solar module manufacturing

any

Target: PV module producers and cell manufacturers seeking competitive edge in European production

If you are a solar manufacturer struggling to compete with low-cost Asian imports — this project demonstrated pilot-line production of silicon heterojunction cells at ≥23.5% efficiency and interdigitated back-contact cells at ≥24.5% efficiency, with cell-to-module power ratio exceeding 105%. These manufacturing processes use cells as thin as 100 µm, cutting material costs while boosting output, and achieving carbon footprints ≤250 kg-eq.CO2/kWp.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt these solar modules compared to standard panels?

The project explicitly targeted low-cost manufacturing — using cells as thin as 100 µm reduces silicon material costs, and the cell-to-module power ratio exceeding 105% means more watts per module. Combined with a carbon footprint ≤250 kg-eq.CO2/kWp, these modules are designed to lower the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Specific pricing per watt is not published in the project data.

Can these modules be produced at industrial scale?

Yes. HighLite demonstrated its technologies at TRL 6-7 using pilot-line manufacturing. The consortium produced over 8,000 SHJ cell precursors and 10,000 IBC cell precursors during the project. With 10 industrial partners including 7 SMEs already in the consortium, the path to scale-up is built into the project design.

How is the intellectual property handled? Can I license this technology?

IP is held by the 19-partner consortium led by IMEC (Belgium), one of the world's leading microelectronics research centers. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated with individual consortium partners depending on which specific technology (SHJ cells, IBC cells, shingled modules, or BIPV/VIPV integration) you are interested in. SciTransfer can facilitate introductions to the right partners.

Do these modules meet building and automotive regulations?

The 3D-curved VIPV modules were specifically tested against automotive vibration standards. The BIPV modules were designed for facade integration with improved shading tolerance. Based on the project's Innovation Action scope and TRL 6-7 targets, regulatory compliance testing was part of the development program.

When could I realistically deploy these in my products?

The project ended in March 2023, and the technologies reached TRL 6-7 (system prototype demonstrated in operational environment). Some consortium partners are industrial manufacturers who may already be integrating these advances into their product lines. For specific availability timelines, direct contact with consortium members is recommended.

How do these modules perform in real-world conditions, not just the lab?

HighLite included outdoor demonstrators alongside indoor testing to validate performance against commercially available modules. The project aimed to show improved cost and performance in real-world conditions. The automotive vibration testing of VIPV modules also confirms durability beyond laboratory settings.

What kind of technical support is available for integration?

The consortium includes 7 research organizations and 2 universities alongside 10 industrial partners, spanning 9 European countries. This means deep technical expertise is available for integration support. IMEC as coordinator has extensive experience in technology transfer from lab to industry.

Consortium

Who built it

The HighLite consortium is unusually strong for commercialization: 19 partners across 9 European countries with a 53% industry ratio — meaning more than half the partners are companies, not just research labs. Seven of those are SMEs, the kind of agile firms that can bring innovations to market quickly. The coordinator is IMEC (Belgium), one of the world's top semiconductor and solar cell research centers with a proven track record of technology transfer. The consortium spans the full value chain from cell research to module manufacturing to application integration, with partners in Belgium, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Finland, Lithuania, and Slovenia. For a business looking to adopt this technology, this means multiple potential suppliers and integration partners already exist within the consortium.

INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO-ELECTRONICA CENTRUMCoordinator · BE
UAB SOLI TEK R&Dparticipant · LT
CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA - RECHERCHE ET DEVELOPPEMENTparticipant · CH
INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ENERGY RESEARCHCENTER KONSTANZ ISC EVparticipant · DE
NEDERLANDSE ORGANISATIE VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNOparticipant · NL
COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESparticipant · FR
ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNEparticipant · CH
HENKEL ELECTRONIC MATERIALS BELGIUMNVparticipant · BE
INSTITUT FUR SOLARENERGIEFORSCHUNG GMBHparticipant · DE
APPLIED MATERIALS ITALIA SRLparticipant · IT
3D-Micromac AGparticipant · DE
ION BEAM SERVICESparticipant · FR
UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANIparticipant · SI

How to reach the team

IMEC (Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum), Belgium — a world-leading research center in nanoelectronics and photovoltaics. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction.

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

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing, partnership, or supply options for HighLite's high-efficiency solar modules? SciTransfer can connect you with the right consortium partner for your specific application — whether that's BIPV facades, vehicle-integrated PV, or next-generation rooftop modules. Contact us for a tailored introduction.

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