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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Solar TAP in Short — Watch our Video

Find out how research and industry are working together to shape the photovoltaics of the future.

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

+60

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

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars to our Solar TAP Events.

LOPEC 2026

24. February 2026 – 26. February 2026

All day

ICM – International Congress Center Messe

LOPEC, Trade fair

Solar TAP will participate at LOPEC trade fair on 25–26 February 2026 in Munich with an exhibition booth and a network meeting. Exhibition Booth […]

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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.

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Prof. Christoph Brabec

Forschungszentrum Jülich

c.brabec(at)fz-juelich.de

Prof. Eva Unger

Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin

eva.unger(at)helmholtz-berlin.de

Prof. Ulrich Lemmer

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

ulrich.lemmer(at)kit.edu

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, and Dr. Stefanie Ditze is the project coordinator of Solar TAP, responsible for project coordination, public relations and communication, outreach activities, event organization, and industry network development.

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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

A cooperation of

Funded by

A Technology Acceleration Platform
for emerging Photovoltaics