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.
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Project
Solar TAP is a Helmholtz initiative to accelerate the deployment of emerging printed photovoltaic technologies such as organic and perovskite solar cells.
In collaboration with industry, we aim to unlock new potential for solar energy by integrating these technologies into existing surfaces in agriculture, construction, and transportation.
Our Mission
Make existing surfaces in agriculture, construction and transportation usable for solar energy expansion through printed solar cells.
Our Approach
By partnering with industry, we co-develop innovative PV technologies and focus on rapid “lab-to-fab” transfer. This ensures that research results are quickly scaled for commercial application — bringing sustainable energy solutions closer to real-world use.
Joint Helmholtz Platform
Solar TAP brings together three leading Helmholtz Centers in photovoltaic research:
Through this alliance, we offer industrial partners direct access to a joint Technology Acceleration Platform — combining world-class laboratories, state-of-the-art equipment, and scientific expertise.
Our model: fast, collaborative, and low-barrier. Pre-financed joint projects enable industry to explore, develop, and scale printed PV technologies efficiently — bridging the gap between research and real-world application.
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 aims to accelerate the transfer of printed photovoltaic technologies from “Lab-to-Fab” through close collaboration with industry. To support this, an active industry network is developed that strengthens the dialogue between R&D and commercialization.
Our goal: to create an environment that delivers fast, reliable, and market-ready solutions to industry by
- Advancing innovations from low to high TRL Levels
- Reducing risk through early integration of market needs into technology development
- Establishing a shared technology roadmap for printed and multifunctional photovoltaics
- Aligning nine world-class research infrastructures to drive open, demand-oriented innovation
- Channeling the dynamic research power of Helmholtz into industrial impact
Recent News
Discover the latest news and developments in the solar industry with Solar TAP.
Stay informed about innovations and trends.
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Second Solar TAP Network General Assembly
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in Event reviewOn October 16, 2025, the Solar TAP community gathered for the Second Network General Assembly at InnovationLab GmbH in Heidelberg.…
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Clean Tech Innovation Day & Solar TAP Industry Day 2025
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in Event reviewClean Tech Innovation Day & Solar TAP Industry Day 2025: Accelerating Innovation through Collaboration On October 15, 2025, more than…
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Solar TAP at the Western Balkans Energy Conference
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Solar TAP at the Western Balkans Energy Conference – Connecting Ideas & Driving Collaboration On July 10, 2025, Solar TAP…
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars to our Solar TAP Events.
LOPEC 2026
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
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
Wolfgang Mildner
Solar TAP
Industry Network Manager
Helmholtz Institute
Erlangen-Nürnberg for
Renewable Energy
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
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