Imagine solar panels that are printed like newspapers instead of baked in expensive furnaces. These new materials can be tuned to work in the shade or indoors, not just under direct sunlight. The goal is to make them last for decades and remove toxic lead to make them safe for everyone.
Current silicon solar panels are expensive to make, energy-intensive, and rely on critical materials. Perovskite alternatives exist but suffer from poor stability and toxic lead content, preventing commercial use.
A suite of innovations including Pb-free perovskite materials, new charge transport layers, and low-cost printing deposition methods validated to TRL5.
If you are a BIPV manufacturer dealing with the rigidity and high cost of silicon panels — this project developed tunable perovskite absorbers that allow for building-integrated solar collection. This enables power generation from windows and facades with a target efficiency of 25%.
If you are an IoT company dealing with short battery life in remote sensors — this project developed materials optimized for indoor and mixed lighting. This allows for independent power sources that can keep micro-power devices running without battery replacements.
If you are a solar operator dealing with the high embedded energy and CO2 emissions of silicon foundries — this project developed low-temperature production methods. This reduces the cost of manufacturing and targets a 25-year operational lifetime.
Perovskites use low-temperature solution-based processes and high-volume printing, making them potentially cheaper than silicon in volume production. They also avoid critical materials found in silicon supply chains.
The project focuses on high-volume production methods such as printing onto various substrates. It aims to validate these developments to TRL5 through accredited laboratory and outdoor testing.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project involves 5 industry partners and 5 SMEs developing new charge transport and electrode materials.
Yes, the project specifically addresses lead (Pb) toxicity by developing improved stability Pb-free materials to meet environmental and health standards.
The project runs from November 2022 to January 2026, targeting a TRL5 validation by the end of the period.
The consortium is well-balanced for commercialization, featuring 13 partners across 9 countries. With a 38% industry ratio (including 5 SMEs), there is a strong bridge between the 5 universities and 3 research centers and the actual market. The presence of Fraunhofer as coordinator suggests a strong focus on applied research and industrial scalability.
Contact Fraunhofer Gesellschaft for technology transfer inquiries regarding perovskite PV.
Contact us to connect with the SUNREY consortium for TRL5 technology licensing.
