A Technology Acceleration Platform
for emerging Photovoltaics
Light, flexible, semitransparent and adaptable – The Solar TAP innovation platform develops innovative solutions for multi-benefit photovoltaic applications.
Project
Solar TAP is a Helmholtz initiative to accelerate the deployment of printed photovoltaic technologies like organic photovoltaics and perovskites, to make existing areas in agriculture, construction, and transportation usable for solar energy, and to develop these technologies to market readiness in collaboration with industrial partners.
We are
A Helmholtz initiative to accelerate deployment of multi-benefit photovoltaics together with industry using emerging printed PV-technologies.
Goal
Make existing surfaces in agriculture, construction and transportation usable for solar energy expansion through printed solar cells.
Approach
Develop technologies with industrial partners and transfer results “lab-to-fab” to accelerate commercial use.
Solar TAP
Solar TAP is a cooperation of three leading Helmholtz Centers for photovoltaic research:
The Centers are aligning their world class infrastructures in order to create the joint Technology Acceleration Platform and providing fast and simple access for industrial partners to laboratories, equipment and scientists through collaborative pre-financed projects.
Helmholtz Centers
Industry Network
Scientists
Research Infrastructures
Emerging Technologies – Future of Photovoltaics
Discover the potential of emerging PV technologies.
Printed photovoltaics are
Light-weight
Produced as thin films on flexible substrates very low power-to-weight ratios can be achieved.
Transparent
Transparency between 10% and 90% are possible.
adaptable
Flexible and light-weight modules with different colors can be adapted to many applications.
colorful
Dependent on the choice of semiconductor red, green, blue and grey modules are possible.
color tunable
Combining multiple semiconductors makes it possible to tune the absorption spectrum.
sustainable
Printed PV can be produced with significantly lower energy input and chemical waste.
scalable
Due to the simple production processes production of printed PV may be rapidly upscaled.
recyclable
Substrates and packaging of printed PV represent 99% of the materials used and may easily be recycled.
Industry Network
Solar TAP wants to accelerate the transfer of technologies from „Lab-to-Fab“ through close cooperations with industry. Within Solar TAP an active industry network is developed to foster the exchange between R&D and commercialization efforts. Solar TAP will create an environment to provide fast and proven solutions to industry by:
- transforming innovations from low to high TRL levels.
- reducing risks for industry by incorporating market needs into development.
- creating a technology roadmap for printed and multi-benefit PV.
- aligning nine world-class research infrastructures for targeted open innovation.
- harnessing the innovative energy of Helmholtz.
Recent News
Discover the latest news and developments in the solar industry with Solar TAP.
Stay informed about innovations and trends.
-
Bavarian Academy of Sciences honors Christoph Brabec
—
in NewsProf. Christoph Brabec honored with membership in the Bavarian Academy of Science. Prof. Dr. Christoph Brabec, Director at HI ERN…
-
Solar TAP Featured in Textile Technology Source
—
Solar TAP is making waves at the LOPEC 2025 in the world of smart textiles, as highlighted in the latest…
-
Prio Optics Wins Most Impactful Technology Award at LOPEC 2025
—
Solar TAP is delighted to celebrate the success of Prio Optics GmbH, under the leadership of Dr. Qiaoshuang Zhang, in…
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars to our Solar TAP Events.
rapid.tech 3D 2025
Solar TAP Industry Day
Joint Industry Workshop by Hi-Acts & Solar TAP
Leading Helmholtz Experts
The steering committee coordinates the activities of the Solar TAP platform across the three participating Helmholtz centers and with the industry network.
With Prof. Christoph Brabec, Prof. Eva Unger and Prof. Ulrich Lemmer the Solar TAP steering committee consists of internationally recognized experts for emerging photovoltaic technologies.
Prof. Christoph Brabec
Helmholtz Institute
Erlangen-Nürnberg for
Renewable Energy
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Solar TAP Management
For the day-to-day management of Solar TAP the steering committe is supported by a management team – your first point of contact to Solar TAP
Solar TAP is coordinated by the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg, an institute of the Forschungszentrum Jülich.
Dr. Jens Hauch is the general manager for all Solar TAP activities, Wolfgang Mildner is managing the Solar TAP industry network, and Dr. Stefanie Ditze oversees all scientific and management activities.
Dr. Jens Hauch
Solar TAP Management
Helmholtz Institute
Erlangen-Nürnberg for
Renewable Energy
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
+49 9131 12538-301
j.hauch(at)fz-juelich.de
Wolfgang Mildner
Solar TAP
Industry Network Manager
Helmholtz Institute
Erlangen-Nürnberg for
Renewable Energy
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Dr. Stefanie Ditze
Solar TAP Management
Helmholtz Institute
Erlangen-Nürnberg for
Renewable Energy
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
+49 9131 12538-319
s.ditze(at)fz-juelich.de
A cooperation of
Funded by
