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SUPER PV · Project

Cutting Solar Panel System Costs by Up to 37% Through Smarter Manufacturing and Digital Tools

energyPilotedTRL 7
superpv.eu

Imagine solar panels are like smartphones — the hardware keeps getting cheaper, but the total cost of owning and running a solar system still has a lot of hidden expenses baked in. SUPER PV tackled that whole chain: better panel materials, smarter electronics that squeeze more power out, and digital management tools borrowed from the construction industry to cut installation and maintenance costs. They built and tested complete systems at five demo sites from Norway to Morocco, proving the tech works in everything from freezing Nordic winters to scorching North African heat. The result? A 26% to 37% drop in the real cost of solar electricity.

By the numbers
26%-37%
Reduction in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)
EUR 9,907,793
EU contribution to the project
29
Consortium partners across 11 countries
5
Demo sites built (Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco)
16
Industry partners in the consortium
12
SMEs involved in the project
55%
Industry ratio in the consortium
The business problem

What needed solving

Solar electricity is still too expensive for mass adoption in many markets, and European PV manufacturers are losing ground to cheaper Asian competitors. The hidden costs aren't just in the panels themselves — installation, system integration, power electronics, and ongoing maintenance all add up, making the total cost of ownership a major barrier for both utility-scale and rooftop deployments.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered improved c-Si and flexible CIGS PV modules, advanced power electronics, and Industry 4.0 data management tools for system integration. Complete prototype systems were produced in industrial environments and tested at 5 demo sites across Europe and North Africa (Lithuania, Norway, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco), with 18 deliverables including business cases and market replication plans.

Audience

Who needs this

PV module manufacturers looking to cut production costs without retoolingSolar EPC contractors seeking to reduce installation and integration costsBuilding developers wanting cost-effective building-integrated PV solutionsSolar O&M companies needing better digital monitoring and management toolsEnergy utilities planning large-scale PV deployment in diverse climates
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Solar energy / PV manufacturing
mid-size
Target: PV module manufacturer or solar cell producer

If you are a PV module manufacturer struggling with production costs that make it hard to compete with Asian imports — this project developed improved c-Si and flexible CIGS module designs that are compatible with existing manufacturing lines, meaning you can upgrade performance without retooling your factory. The consortium achieved a 26%-37% reduction in levelized cost of electricity across 5 demo sites in different climates.

Commercial real estate / Facility management
enterprise
Target: Building owner or property developer with large roof or facade areas

If you are a property developer looking to integrate solar into buildings but worried about cost and complexity — this project created digitalization and data management solutions based on Building Information Modelling that simplify system design, installation, and ongoing operation. These tools were tested on real buildings across 11 countries, from residential to utility-scale setups.

Solar installation and O&M services
SME
Target: Solar EPC contractor or operations & maintenance provider

If you are a solar installer or maintenance company dealing with rising labor costs and system underperformance — this project developed power electronics innovations and Industry 4.0 data management tools that reduce both installation complexity and long-term operational costs. Prototype systems were produced in industrial environments and validated at demo sites in Spain, Lithuania, Norway, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much can this actually reduce my solar electricity costs?

The project targeted and demonstrated a 26% to 37% reduction in levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). This was achieved through a combination of module-level improvements, better power electronics, and digital management tools — all tested at real demo sites across different climate zones.

Can these innovations be adopted on existing production lines?

Yes. The project specifically selected innovations compatible with existing manufacturing processes to reduce impact on Cost of Ownership. This means PV manufacturers can upgrade without major retooling or capital expenditure on new production equipment.

What about intellectual property and licensing?

The project involved 29 partners across 11 countries, with 16 industry partners and 12 SMEs. IP is likely distributed among consortium members. Based on available project data, the coordinator UAB Soli Tek R&D (Lithuania) and key industrial partners would be the starting point for licensing discussions.

Has this been tested in real-world conditions?

Extensively. Demo sites were built and operated in five locations: Vilnius (Lithuania), Norway, Sevilla (Spain), Tozeur (Tunisia), and Morocco. This covers cold Nordic, temperate European, and harsh North African climates — a strong validation across diverse real-world conditions.

What specific technologies were developed?

Three main areas: improved c-Si and flexible CIGS PV modules at the hardware level, advanced power electronics for better energy conversion, and Industry 4.0 digitalization tools adapted from Building Information Modelling for system integration and operations management.

Is this ready for commercial deployment?

The project ended in October 2022 with prototypes produced in industrial environments and business cases prepared for market replication. The coordinator Soli Tek R&D is an active PV manufacturer, suggesting commercial pathways are being pursued. Based on available project data, production and market replication plans were developed as part of the project.

What was the project budget?

The EU contributed EUR 9,907,793 to this Innovation Action, with 29 partners sharing the work. The strong industry presence (16 industrial partners, 55% industry ratio) means significant additional private co-funding was committed, indicating serious commercial intent.

Consortium

Who built it

The SUPER PV consortium is unusually industry-heavy for an EU project, with 16 out of 29 partners (55%) coming from industry and 12 being SMEs. This signals strong commercial intent — these aren't just researchers publishing papers. The consortium spans 11 countries including key European PV markets (Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands) plus North African partners (Morocco, Tunisia) for testing in high-irradiance conditions. The coordinator, UAB Soli Tek R&D from Lithuania, is itself an SME and active PV manufacturer, meaning project results have a direct path to production lines. With 8 research organizations and 4 universities providing the science backbone, this is a well-balanced team built to move technology from lab to market.

How to reach the team

UAB Soli Tek R&D (Lithuania) — an SME PV manufacturer that coordinated all 29 partners. SciTransfer can facilitate a direct introduction to the project coordinator.

Order a report on this consortiumSee UAB SOLI TEK R&D profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how SUPER PV's cost-reduction technologies could benefit your solar business? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the project team and help evaluate which innovations fit your specific needs. Contact us for a tailored one-page brief.

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