SUNLIFE will contribute to accelerating the clean energy transition by developing efficient, durable, low-cost, long-lasting, and stable photovoltaic (PV) technologies for both outdoor and indoor use.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate photovoltaic devices with enhanced efficiency, integrability, and stability, avoiding the use of CdS and organic materials for a more sustainable and longer-lasting photovoltaic technology. Materials with high absorption coefficients, low growth temperatures, and a wide range of bandgap values have been selected to enable the manufacture of:
i) Semi-transparent solar cells for BIPV (Building Integrated PV) and IIPV (Infrastructures Integrated PV);
ii) Devices on ceramic tiles that serve the dual function of wall ventilation and energy production; and
iii) Flexible devices for IoT (Internet of Things) integration and indoor photovoltaic applications.
These enhanced devices require the implementation of strategies to mitigate material defects by controlling orientation, dopants, and p-type interfaces, along with improved Se quality. SUNLIFE will enable greater integration of photovoltaics into society through technological advancements from TRL3 to TRL4 or beyond, with increased efficiencies (≥15% outdoors and ≥18% indoors), and by defining the roadmap towards TRL 5 beyond the project lifetime with the first mechanically stacked Se/Sb2Se3 multi-junction devices.
The CET Partnership is an initiative co-funded by the European Union that brings together public and private stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystems, from European and non-European countries and regions. CET Partnership aims to foster transnational innovation ecosystems and overcome a fragmented research and innovation landscape.
The SUNLIFE project brings together partners from Spain, Portugal, France, Italy,Estonia, and Hungary to create a transformative, transnational platform. This consortium is integrated by 3 research organizations (CSIC, CNRS, & INL), 2 public universities (TALTECH & UniPr), 1 company (Nano4Energy) and 1 end-user as Associate Partner (Spot S.R.L.).
As part of the TRI2 Transition Initiative, the consortium will focus on advancing solar photovoltaic (PV) technology as a zero-emission energy solution. SUNLIFE’s goal is to reduce the cost of photovoltaic technologies while maintaining high energy conversion efficiency. The project will demonstrate the flexibility and versatility of a new generation of thin-film solar cells, made from low environmental impact materials and processes, for diverse integration applications.
