Pocket-Sized Tool for Rapid In-Field Analysis of PV Polymers

/in , /by

Solar TAP Researchers Unveil Pocket-Sized Tool for Rapid In-Field Analysis of PV Polymers

As part of its mission to bring advanced materials science into real-world solar applications, the Solar TAP initiative at the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN), Forschungszentrum Jülich, has developed a pocket-sized PV-Scanner capable of quickly identifying polymer materials in photovoltaic (PV) modules in the field — directly on-site and without damaging the panel.

The innovative handheld device uses near-infrared absorption spectroscopy (NIRA) and AI-powered analysis to determine the composition of backsheets and encapsulants — key polymer components that influence module durability and performance. This breakthrough was made possible through Solar TAP’s integration of spectroscopy hardware from Spectral Engines and custom machine learning models developed in-house at HI ERN.

Solar TAP Researchers Unveil Pocket-Sized Tool for Rapid In-Field Analysis of PV Polymers @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Such polymer differences are common, even among modules with identical specifications, due to changes in manufacturing or supply chains. These variations can impact a module’s long-term behavior — making field-based diagnostics essential.

The device, still in prototype stage, is being commercialized in partnership with LayTec, Spectral Engines’ sister company, and through Anymo, a spin-off born from Solar TAP’s work at HI ERN. Together, they aim to finalize development by the end of 2025, with early prototypes already available for pilot projects.

Solar TAP’s contribution extends beyond diagnostics. By embedding AI into the tool, the team has created a foundation for faster quality control, material verification, and sorting during PV recycling, enabling a more circular and resilient solar industry. The work has already been published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, validating the science behind the application.

This marks a strong example of how Solar TAP accelerates technology transfer from research labs to field-ready tools — reshaping how solar materials are monitored, maintained, and reused across the module lifecycle.

Read the complete article here.


 

Solar TAP Enables Industry Training at SFF

/in , /by

Advancing Printed Electronics: Solar TAP Supports Industry Training at Solar Factory of the Future

Through the initiative of Solar TAP Network Member Automatic Research, a collaborative training session was held at the Solar Factory of the Future at the Energy Campus Nürnberg, part of the Solar TAP research infrastructure. The event supported Pietro Fiorentini, a customer of Automatic Research, in learning how to use sheet-to-sheet slot-die printing on various substrates and with different functional inks.

A technician from the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg (HIERN) conducted the training and worked closely with the company to address several technical challenges encountered during the process. Expertise from the HIERN played a key role in solving specific tasks during the hands-on sessions.

Automatic Research and their customer in learning how to use sheet-to-sheet slot-die printing on various substrates and with different functional inks @copyright by Helmholtz-Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg

A central asset of the Solar Factory of the Future is its Roll-to-Roll (R2R) slot-die printing machine, which offers cutting-edge capabilities for the production of organic and perovskite solar modules. Equipped with advanced slot-die coating and laser processing technology, the industrial-scale machine enables the production of flexible solar modules at speeds of up to 2 meters per minute. It is ideally suited for both large-scale prototyping and high-throughput materials research.

Solar TAP facilitated direct collaboration between Automatic Research and top-tier slot-die printing specialists, enabling focused problem-solving and efficient knowledge transfer. This engagement drives progress in printed electronics and paves the way for new market potential across the industrial network.

By fostering these hands-on collaborations, Solar TAP gains deeper insight into practical industry challenges and scaling barriers—reinforcing its role as a vital bridge between pioneering research and real-world application.

Solar TAP Booth at the Agri-PV NRW Meeting

/in /by

Solar TAP Showcases Climate-Smart Agri-PV Innovation at NRW Conference

On May 27, Solar TAP participated in the Agri-PV Conference in Bad Sassendorf hosted by Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen and NRW.Energy4Climate at Haus Düsse. The event served as a key platform to discuss the integration of agrivoltaic systems into modern agriculture, addressing topics such as crop cultivation under PV structures, regulatory frameworks, and economic viability.

Solar TAP was proud to present its Agri-PV demonstrator — a greenhouse equipped with flexible solar modules — highlighting the potential of dual land use for sustainable food and energy production. Dr. Christoph Jedmowski, Leon Merker, and Dr. Matthias Meier-Grüll engaged with a diverse audience of over 100 stakeholders from research, agriculture, and policy.

Solar TAP presents its Agri-PV demonstrator — a greenhouse equipped with flexible solar modules @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmBH

The onsite demonstration installation offered attendees a hands-on look at real-world Agri-PV implementation. Conversations at the Solar TAP booth focused on how to scale emerging photovoltaic solutions to meet the needs of modern agriculture.

Agri-PV is more than a concept — it’s a practical solution for a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

More information about the Agri-Food-Energy Park can you find here.

Joint Solar TAP/Hi-Acts Workshop

/in , /by

Accelerator Meets Application: Solar TAP and Hi-Acts Host First Joint Industry Workshop at HZB

On May 22, 2025, Solar TAP and Hi-Acts — two Helmholtz Innovation Platforms — co-hosted their first-ever Joint Industry Workshop at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (BESSY II). Held directly after the Solar TAP Industry Day, the event brought together industry professionals, researchers, and innovation leaders to explore the transformative potential of accelerator-based analytics for advanced functional materials.

Under the theme “Accelerator-based Analytics meets Advanced Functional Materials”, the workshop showcased how particle accelerator technologies can drive real-world innovation in sectors such as photovoltaics, energy storage, electronics, and beyond.

Joint Solar TAP/Hi-Acts Workshop @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

The program offered a rich mix of perspectives and interactive formats. Participants enjoyed insightful presentations by experts from HZB, DESY, LayTec AG, the University of Potsdam, and FOM Technologies, who showcased real-world applications and technological innovations.

Solar TAP Manager together with industry partners from FOM Technologies. @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

In parallel, dynamic discussion tables invited in-depth exchange on topics such as advanced material analysis, nanostructure engineering, in-situ diagnostics, and device characterization. A highlight of the day was the exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the BESSY II synchrotron, giving participants rare access to one of the world’s most advanced accelerator facilities.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the BESSY II synchrotron @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

For Solar TAP, this collaborative format provided a high-impact opportunity to align industry needs with research capabilities — particularly in thin-film processing, scalable device fabrication, and diagnostics for printed and hybrid photovoltaics.

By uniting the strengths of Solar TAP and Hi-Acts, this milestone event demonstrated how cross-platform synergy can accelerate the development of competitive, next-generation materials — from the atomic scale to industrial application.

5th Solar TAP Industry Day

/in , /by

5th Solar TAP Industry Day Unites Research and Industry in Berlin

On May 21, the 5th Solar TAP Industry Day brought together leading minds from industry, academia, and innovation at the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin (CSMB) – a central institute of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — to shape the future of printed and hybrid PV technologies in Europe. The full-day event, organized in collaboration with Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), focused on how emerging PV technologies and flexible manufacturing approaches can meet growing industrial demand and contribute to a resilient European energy transition.

5th Solar TAP Industry Day unites research and industry in Berlin @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

From Research Results to Real-World Implementation

The day started with a platform update by Dr. Jens Hauch (Solar TAP Manager) and steering committee member Prof. Eva Unger who provided insights into current transfer projects and the platform’s expanding industry network.

Eva Unger (Solar TAP Steering Committee) and Jens Hauch (Solar TAP Manager) welcomed partners from industry and academia @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

In his keynote, Prof. Rutger Schlatmann (HZB) addressed the strategic reshoring of the PV value chain in Europe. He called for close coordination between politics, research, and industry to strengthen Europe’s technological and economic resilience.

Prof. Rutger Schlatmann (HZB) addresses the strategic reshoring of the PV value chain in Europe @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

The agenda featured a wide range of success stories and technological spotlights — from green solvent-based processing to next-generation tandem devices (CIGS/Perovskite and Si/Perovskite). Several project teams presented their approaches to scalable module design and shared learnings from lab-to-fab transitions.

Roadmap Dialogue, Funding Insights, and Lab Access

During the event, Solar TAP presented the first consolidated version of its Strategic R&D Roadmap, developed through co-creation workshops with industry and research partners. It defines milestone-based goals for key applications such as Agri-PV, BIPV, Mobility-PV, and IoT-PV, along with prioritized R&D actions for 2027, 2030, and 2035. The roadmap provides a shared foundation to guide future collaborations, funding activities, and technology transfer across the Solar TAP community.

Strategic R&D Roadmap @copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

In the subsequent Funding Dialogue, Robert Reim (HZB) gave an overview of current support schemes for PV innovation, ranging from national ZIM programs to European cooperation opportunities. These sessions were deepened in World Café discussions, where participants shared experiences and explored collaborations on roadmap implementation and cross-sector use cases.

Jens Hauch (Solar TAP, left) interviews Robert Reim (HZB, right) about current support schemes for PV innovation @copyright Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Guided tours through HZB’s HySprint lab, PVComB, KOALA station, and IRIS Adlershof offered first-hand impressions of advanced Solar TAP infrastructure.

Demonstration of flexible OPV at the Solar TAP booth @copyright Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

Networking and Cross-Platform Collaboration

The event concluded with a networking dinner in Berlin-Adlershof, followed the next day by a Joint Workshop with the Hi-Acts Innovation Platform at Bessy, strengthening the cross-platform dialogue on accelerator-based analytics and functional materials.

Through initiatives like the Solar TAP Industry Day, the network continues to enable strategic dialogue and innovation transfer, providing a platform where industry and research meet to tackle real-world challenges in solar energy and printed electronics.

Pascal Friederich Receives Manfred-Fuchs-Prize 2025

/in , , /by

Pascal Friederich Wins Manfred-Fuchs-Prize 2025 for Groundbreaking Work in AI-Driven Solar Materials.

Dr. Pascal Friederich, Tenure-Track Professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has been awarded the prestigious Manfred-Fuchs-Prize 2025 by the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The €10,000 prize honors his pioneering contributions to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing novel chemical materials, with a particular focus on solar energy applications.

As Principal Investigator of the Solar TAP project, Friederich leads an interdisciplinary research group at KIT that combines computer science and materials science to accelerate the discovery of next-generation solar cell materials. His team brings this expertise into the Solar TAP digital twin, simulating materials at the atomic scale, integrating existing knowledge and extensive materials databases, as well as machine learning techniques to predict promising material candidates and simulate their properties with high accuracy.

Pascal Friederich in the SCC (Steinbuch Centre for Computing) next to the “Hochleistungsrechner Karlsruhe” – HoreKa for short @ copyright by Bramsiepe, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

Within Solar TAP, Friederich collaborates closely with researchers from the Institute of Microstructure Technology to design efficient and sustainable photovoltaic technologies. This data-driven approach lays the foundation for a new era of digital materials development—faster, more efficient, and resource-conscious.

The jury recognized not only the innovative bridge Friederich builds between informatics and the natural sciences but also the high relevance of his research for solving key societal challenges, such as climate protection and the global energy transition.

Kretschmann visits KIT Solar TAP exhibit at HMI

/in /by

KIT welcomes Minister President Kretschmann to its Solar TAP exhibit at Hannover Messe.

At the world´s leading trade fair Hannover Messe 2025, Minister President Kretschmann of Baden-Württemberg visited the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) booth to discuss the benefits of sustainable photovoltaic (PV) technologies with the Solar TAP Principal Investigator and head of the Organic Photovoltaics Group at KIT, Prof. Alexander Colsmann.

From March 31 to April 4, KIT shows selected highlights from technology development in the Future Hub and at Energy Solutions: Energy and Commitment for the Future© copyright by Karlsruher Institut für Technologie

Prof. Colsmanns group exhibited a demonstrator of a greenhouse with integrated semitransparent OPV-modules, showcasing the promising application of such emerging-PV technologies in agrivoltaics.

KIT is one of three research institutions involved in the development of the Solar TAP innovation platform, collaborating with industry partners to create new technologies for multi-benefit PV applications. Solar TAP serves as an open innovation hub aiming to bridge the gap between research and industrial application.

By integrating scientific expertise with the practical needs of industry, Solar TAP drives the rapid commercialization of advanced PV solutions that offer ecological, economic, and societal benefits. It focuses particularly on developing PV systems that contribute not only to clean energy generation but also to additional functionalities, such as improving urban infrastructure or agricultural productivity.

Bavarian Academy of Sciences honors Christoph Brabec

/in /by

Prof. Christoph Brabec honored with membership in the Bavarian Academy of Science.

Prof. Dr. Christoph Brabec, Director at HI ERN and member of the Solar TAP Steering Committee, has been named a new full member of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BAdW) — a prestigious recognition of his outstanding contributions to scientific advancement.

As one of 14 newly elected members, Prof. Brabec joins a distinguished community of researchers whose work has significantly deepened our understanding of science and technology. His groundbreaking research in photovoltaics and commitment to high-throughput innovation continue to shape the energy landscape and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Prof. Christoph Brabec is a director at the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IET-2), a branch office of Forschungszentrum Jülich. Copyright: — Martin Leclaire
Prof. Christoph Brabec is a director at the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IET-2), a branch office of Forschungszentrum Jülich. Copyright: — Martin Leclaire

This honor reflects not only Prof. Brabec’s scientific achievements, but also the growing influence of the Solar TAP Platform, which he represents as part of the Steering Committee. Solar TAP is dedicated to bridging research and industry through transformative photovoltaic technologies—and this milestone further affirms its vital role in the future of sustainable energy.

Congratulations to Prof. Brabec from the Solar TAP community on this well-deserved recognition!

Solar TAP Featured in Textile Technology Source

/in , /by

Solar TAP is making waves at the LOPEC 2025 in the world of smart textiles, as highlighted in the latest issue of Textile Technology Source.

As a cutting-edge technology acceleration platform, Solar TAP is transforming the way energy is harnessed by integrating emerging photovoltaic innovations—particularly organic photovoltaics and perovskites—into real-world applications.

An efficient, flexible photovoltaic at the Solar TAP booth at LOPEC 2025. Photo: Messe Munich.
An efficient, flexible photovoltaic at the Solar TAP booth at LOPEC 2025. Photo: Messe Munich.

Born from the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy, Solar TAP is dedicated to bridging the gap between research and industry. Our pioneering “lab-to-fab” approach ensures that solar technology moves seamlessly from the laboratory to scalable, commercial applications. At the heart of this transformation is our solar factory, a state-of-the-art research facility that fosters industry collaboration and accelerates innovation.

Printing flexible photovoltaic at the Solar Factory of the Future. Photo: Kurt Fuchs.

Our advanced printed thin-film PVs offer a game-changing solution: lightweight, flexible, and available in various colors to seamlessly integrate into diverse market applications, from fashion and outdoor gear to high-tech industrial uses.

This recognition in Textile Technology Source underscores our commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Read the full article here.

Solar TAP at PV Symposium in Bad Staffelstein

/in , /by

Solar TAP exhibits at the 40. PV Symposium in Bad Staffelstein

Our team had the pleasure of exhibiting at the PV Symposium at Kloster Banz—Germany’s key industry forum for discussing the latest advancements in photovoltaic technology, manufacturing and applications. With our Solar TAP (Technology Acceleration Platform for emerging photovoltaics) booth, we engaged with industry experts on emerging PV-technology and developing integrated solar solutions for multi-benefit PV.

A particular highlight was the presentation of our pioneering project ANYMO: A New Way of Analyzing Polymers in PV Modules, supported by the Innovation Go initiative from the Jülicher Innovationsfonds at Forschungszentrum Jülich. The project introduces a non-destructive method for analyzing polymers within solar modules—paving the way for improved performance and durability.

Solar TAP shows their pioneering project ANYMO: A New Way of Analyzing Polymers in PV Modules © copyright by Forschungszentrum Jülich

There were a number of valuable exchanges and new contacts made during the Symposium. Solar TAP continues to accelerate innovation in photovoltaics, and events like the PV-Symposium help us stay connected to industry.

We congratulate Conexio-PSE for organizing such a successful event!