How can breakthrough photovoltaic research become tomorrow’s energy solutions? A recent SAT.1 Bayern feature highlights the potential of perovskite solar cells and the collaborative innovation ecosystem that is helping bring this emerging technology closer to real-world applications.
From Laboratory Innovation to Future Applications
From lightweight solar foils to building-integrated photovoltaics and future space applications, perovskite solar cells are opening exciting new possibilities for the energy transition.
In a recent SAT.1 Bayern feature, Prof. Dr. Brabec, steering committee member of Solar TAP and Director of the Institute of Energy Materials and Devices – Photovoltaics (IMD-3) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, presented the remarkable potential of this next-generation photovoltaic technology.
Unlike conventional silicon photovoltaics, perovskite solar cells can be manufactured on ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible substrates. Their unique material properties enable applications beyond traditional rooftop installations, including building façades, flexible solar films, lightweight structures and potentially even future space technologies.
These advances demonstrate how innovative photovoltaic materials have the potential to fundamentally expand where and how solar energy can be generated.
Connecting Research Excellence with Industrial Innovation
Scientific breakthroughs create opportunities but collaboration is what turns innovation into impact.
As a Helmholtz innovation platform, Solar TAP connects leading research institutions, technology developers and industrial partners to help accelerate the transfer of next-generation photovoltaic technologies into scalable manufacturing and future products.
The research highlighted in the SAT.1 Bayern feature illustrates this mission in practice. At IMD-3, automated pipetting robots and precision blade-coating systems enable the highly reproducible fabrication of laboratory-scale perovskite solar cells. These advanced processes not only support cutting-edge materials research but also generate valuable knowledge for future industrial manufacturing.
Scaling Tomorrow’s Solar Technologies
A key element of this innovation ecosystem is the Solar Factory of the Future, where photovoltaic materials and complete solar cells can be deposited and printed on flexible substrates using scalable, industry-relevant manufacturing technologies.
This unique infrastructure enables researchers and industry partners to develop, validate and optimize production processes under realistic conditions and bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial applications.
By combining cutting-edge research, advanced manufacturing infrastructure and strong partnerships across science and industry, Solar TAP helps accelerate the development of sustainable photovoltaic technologies and strengthens Europe’s innovation ecosystem.
Watch the Feature
The SAT.1 Bayern report offers fascinating insights into the research, people and technologies shaping the future of photovoltaics.
The SAT.1 Bayern feature “Solarzellen der Zukunft? Forscher setzen auf Perowskit-Technologie” aired on 16 June 2026 as part of the programme “17:30 SAT.1 Bayern”.