June marked an exciting milestone for ISC Konstanz: five new publicly funded research projects officially started, further strengthening the institute’s position as one of Europe’s leading independent research centers for photovoltaic technologies.
The projects – SUNRISE, ALLEGRO, SmartFab, LAPIS and SPRINT – span the entire photovoltaic value chain, from innovative silicon wafer technologies and high-efficiency solar cells to lightweight photovoltaic modules and intelligent digital manufacturing concepts.
Together, they address some of the key challenges facing the photovoltaic industry: increasing efficiency, reducing material consumption, improving sustainability, accelerating industrialization and strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Covering the entire PV value chain
The Horizon Europe project SUNRISE develops lightweight, glass-free photovoltaic products based on fibre-reinforced composites. By integrating photovoltaic functionality into structural components, the project aims to open entirely new applications for solar energy, including automotive, marine and transport infrastructure.
In the Horizon Europe project ALLEGRO, ISC Konstanz and its partners are developing an innovative kerfless silicon wafer technology. By growing wafers directly from the gas phase, the project aims to reduce material consumption, energy demand and manufacturing costs while helping to rebuild a competitive European wafer industry.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE)-funded project SmartFab focuses on digital twins and artificial intelligence for photovoltaic manufacturing. The project will create a virtual factory environment that enables production lines to be simulated, optimized and validated before physical implementation.
The LAPIS project develops laser-structured passivated contacts for next-generation TOPCon solar cells, paving the way for higher efficiencies while maintaining compatibility with industrial manufacturing.
The SPRINT project complements these activities by developing further innovations that accelerate the industrial implementation of future photovoltaic technologies.
Research with industrial impact
A common feature of all five projects is their strong industrial orientation. Working closely with equipment manufacturers, industrial partners and research organizations, ISC Konstanz contributes its expertise to developing technologies that can be transferred rapidly into commercial production.
The simultaneous launch of these projects demonstrates the breadth of ISC Konstanz’s research activities—from materials and manufacturing technologies to digital production concepts—and highlights the importance of publicly funded research for Europe’s energy transition and industrial competitiveness.
ISC Konstanz would like to thank all project partners and funding agencies for their trust and looks forward to the exciting work ahead.
Read the full press release here.