TERASUN aims to advance technologies for more efficient and cost-effective mass production of c-Si solar cells. By joining the TERASUN Hop On project, FZU brings essential expertise in optical-electrical characterization, significantly enhancing control over light management in advanced light-trapping structures, the uniformity of thin-film layers, and the structural properties of advanced PV devices. FZU’s contribution will focus on developing optical measurement tools to directly assess key solar cell parameters, which will lead to improvements in cell and module conversion efficiencies. These tools will specifically address the homogeneity and structural uniformity of novel light-trapping structures and passivating contacts, with a focus on creating in-line measurement solutions compatible with industrial production. FZU’s specific roles include: (i) Adapting Raman micro-spectroscopy method to evaluate light trapping in c-Si solar cells; (ii) Characterizing nanophotonic structures on module cover glass, focusing on light in-coupling; (iii) Examining contact structures and the uniformity of passivating layers in IBC solar cells. FZU's involvement will elevate TERASUN by introducing innovative, cutting-edge characterization methods, ensuring that the project's technological advancements are not only groundbreaking but also ready for large-scale industrial application.

With photovoltaics being expected as the main pillar of the future global energy system by 2050, understanding the underlying technological developments, their supply chain material flows, resource requirements, environmental life cycle impact and circular economy potential becomes crucial for the European continent. In the transition to an increasing electrification of the energy system, Photovoltaics gives Europe the opportunity to become independent from importing fossil fuels. With a circular economy approach – as PV technology is to almost 100% recyclable – supported by and eco design strategies, Europe has the opportunity to become less energy dependent from outside and at the same time significantly reduce the environmental impacts in its energy sector. The SOLARIS project has the expertise and is designed to give guidance and support this goal with underlying data on future market and technology development, related resource use and supply chains, environmental impact and recommendations on policy measures to guide European decision makers along this path in the future. Despite clear goals on PV deployment, support for the development of a European industrial supply chain has been minimal. SOLARIS will combine projected technology and market development scenarios from material mining to End of Life including recycling strategies for a deeper understanding of the future required material resources and waste recycling strategies throughout the whole PV value chain and analyse related environmental and social impacts and highlight opportunities for reducing the industry’s environmental impact and reduce resource criticalities. SOLARIS will also develop a database that compiles variables that contribute to GHG/CO2 and EPBT savings, which can be combined to show strategies and best practice to considerably reduce GHG/CO2 emission and EPBT time at each value stage. The outputs of SOLARIS will enable the PV industry to benchmark cross-comparisons in processes and materials which can incentivise best practice to lower the environmental impacts and increase preparedness for an EU PV supply chain.

COOPERANT is at the forefront of advancing the next generation of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies by tackling typical limitations of conventional CSP facilities, such as operation at high temperatures, dispatchability, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. COOPERANT's innovations are paving the way for the uninterrupted generation of green solar power that is both dispatchable and economically viable, breaking the dependency on solar radiation. Working at high temperatures (~1000ºC) is crucial to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness; however, harsh operating conditions present significant challenges in terms of material availability, corrosion, system design and performance limitations. In alignment with the SET-Plan for CSP, the proposal incorporates three cutting-edge solutions at technological, digital and transference levels, that synergistically cooperate to address them: -COOPERANT CSP-TES system: a groundbreaking concept showcasing a high-performance volumetric solar receiver with custom-designed cellular morphology coupled with a hybrid packed-bed Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system. Enhanced phase-change materials and solid-state mixtures will be formulated and characterised to serve as high-temperature storage mediums. Heat transfer enhancement and containment techniques will be applied to ensure operation safety and long-lasting durability. -COOPERANT-AI TOOL: including real-time monitoring, reinforced learning-based control, scalability and replicability features. A holistic orchestration by sophisticated artificial intelligence digital tools to assist with feasibility, replicability, and scalability paths towards commercialisation. -COOPERANT-TRANSFER: a knowledge transference programme with a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging closely with the industrial sphere through the Stakeholder Replicability Board (SRB), enlisting key partners focused on dispatchable clean energy, solar fuels generation and industrial applications.

FASTCH2ANGE aims to pioneer a sustainable-by-design method for developing TRL4-compliant 100% PFAS-free proton exchange membrane-based electrolysis (PEMEL) cells. It will focus on developing four fluorine-free components: proton exchange membranes, catalyst-supporting layers, transport and gas diffusion layers, and new sealing components like gaskets and insulation plates. FASTCH2ANGE will achieve this by designing, developing, and testing new PFAS-free PEMs at TRL4. These PEMs will be made using TEOS-based hybrid organic-inorganic ionomers, targeting an operating current density of 3.0 A/cm at 1.8 V cell voltage, with a degradation rate under 5 V/hr by 2030. Innovations in catalyst coating technologies will be explored, including an optimized ink deposition technique. Additionally, fluoroelastomers-free liquid-gas diffusion layers will be prepared using a sol-gel process with silicon alkoxides to improve hydrophobicity and thermal stability. FASTCH2ANGE also plans to develop PFAS-free sealing components using silicon-based sol-gel formulations and advanced materials like stainless steel, polyetheretherketone, and polyphenylene sulfide, employing high-performance coatings such as diamond-like carbon and ceramic. Hence, an advanced testing platform utilizing multisingle cells proprietary technology will test the newly developed catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), achieving a first-of-its-kind PFAS-free 5-cells stack with optimal components. Harmonized European testing protocols will be used, and the cross-integrability with fuel cell technologies will be assessed in close synergy with SUSTAINCELL and EVERYWH2ERE projects. FASTCH2ANGE new components will allow the replacement of 10-11% by weight of a new generation of electrolysis systems with harmless materials, that for the envisioned European 140 GW capacity would mean saving up to 10500 tons of PFAS crafted into PEMEL components by 2030.

The Photo2Fuel project will develop a breakthrough technology that converts CO2 into useful fuels and chemicals by means of non-photosynthetic microorganisms and organic materials, using only sunlight as energy source. Photo2Fuel's technology is based on the artificial photosynthesis concept and will use a hybrid system of non-photosynthetic microorganisms and organic photosensitisers to produce acetic acid and methane, using Moorella thermoacetica (bacteria) and Methanosarcina barkeri (archaea) strains, respectively. After optimisation and characterisation, this hybrid non-photosynthetic microorganisms with organic photosensitiser system will be placed into an auto sufficient photo-micro-reactor running exclusively with sunlight. During the day, the natural sunlight will be used, and, during the night, artificial light will be used from previous stored solar energy in batteries (excess sunlight). This approach will guarantee the continuous operation of the photo-micro-reactor. Additionally, a solar concentrator will be coupled to the reactor to maximise conversion and stabilise the production of fuels and chemicals, even with variant solar flux. The Photo2Fuel project will also investigate technologies for the separation of the main products - acetic acid and methane and deliver solutions to achieve high separation efficiency. The overall sustainability of the Photo2Fuel's technology will be analysed, including the environmental, economic, and social aspects. Lastly, the market, barriers, and key stakeholders will be analysed from an end-user perspective, aiming at advancing the technology's TRL-4 after the project completion and, thus, actively supporting the transition to a climate neutral Europe by 2050.