Deadline Date: March 31, 2026
The European Commission is inviting grant proposals to develop photovoltaic (PV) energy systems with improved sustainability, longer lifetimes, and reduced environmental impact.
The focus is on silicon-based solar cells and modules, aiming to reduce the use of Critical Raw Materials, incorporate recycled materials, and enable recyclability and repairability. The expected outcomes include ultra-low carbon footprint PV cells and modules with lifetime extension, designs free from silver or indium that allow recyclability and repairability, support for a resilient and competitive European economic base, and reduction of strategic dependencies on critical raw materials and components. The projects are also expected to strengthen the implementation of solar energy joint research and innovation initiatives.
The total budget for this call is EUR 15,000,000, with individual contributions expected around EUR 5,000,000. Proposals should focus on extending module lifetimes up to 40 years with resilience to extreme weather, developing cell and module architectures using recycled content and free from harmful substances without compromising quality, creating designs that improve recyclability and repairability, and developing adapted testing methodologies and recycling standards. Technical solutions for on-site PV module repair should be provided, alongside analysis of the environmental benefits of recycling precious metals.
For more information, visit European Commission.
