In recent years, metal halide perovskites have emerged as a promising photovoltaic (PV) material, achieving high efficiencies in lab-scale single and tandem solar cells. However, their large-scale adoption remains limited by manufacturability challenges, long-term stability, environmental concerns, and the lack of standardized testing protocols.
To transition perovskite PVs from research to commercialization, these challenges must be overcome, supporting the global shift toward clean, high-efficiency solar energy. As Europe and the world work to decarbonize energy systems, perovskite PVs offer a unique opportunity to revolutionize the solar industry, providing:
- Higher efficiencies at lower production costs,
- Lightweight, flexible, and semi-transparent solar cells, ideal for urban and industrial applications,
- Compatibility with existing silicon-based solar panels in tandem configurations.
By tackling scientific, technological, and economic barriers, VIPERLAB has accelerated the commercialization of perovskite PVs, ensuring their integration into Europe's clean energy strategies.
VIPERLAB aimed to establish a well-integrated European Perovskite Research Infrastructure, offering coordinated access to research facilities and knowledge-sharing platforms, structured around three key pillars:
1. Infrastructure Integration – Connecting Europe’s leading perovskite PV infrastructures (physical and virtual) to provide efficient access to fabrication, characterization, and testing facilities.
2. Community Building & Collaboration – Strengthening the European perovskite PV community through networking, personnel exchange, and industry-academic collaboration.
3. Data, Standardization, and Long-Term Impact – Advancing testing protocols, databases, and economic assessments to support evidence-based commercialization and ensure long-term sustainability.
Final Conclusions of VIPERLAB:
VIPERLAB exceeded its initial targets, granting over 100 researchers access and delivering 39% more transnational access (TA) days than planned. It played a key role in standardization, shaping EU-wide testing protocols and research roadmaps through Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) contributions.
Additionally, the Perovskite Database, initially projected to serve 50 users, reached over 900 researchers, demonstrating strong demand for structured PV data. The project’s digital platforms, including the Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) and Virtual Access Portal (VAPo), have been successfully transferred to EERA-PV, ensuring their long-term accessibility.
Through its research infrastructure, knowledge exchange, and policy alignment, VIPERLAB has positioned Europe as a global leader in perovskite PV innovation. Its contributions will continue to support the development of high-efficiency, sustainable solar energy, delivering lasting scientific, economic, and environmental benefits for society.
