The transition to renewable energy sources is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. In this context, solar photovoltaics (PV) have emerged as a central pillar of the global energy strategy. However, current mainstream PV technologies are largely rigid, heavy, and dependent on energy-intensive fabrication processes that limit their integration in next-generation applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), portable electronics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). To unlock the full potential of solar energy in these emerging sectors, there is an urgent need for lightweight, flexible, and scalable photovoltaic technologies that combine high performance with environmental sustainability.
EFESO – Exploiting Flexible pErovskite Solar technOlogies – addresses this need by focusing on the development of robust, efficient, and scalable flexible perovskite solar modules (FPSMs). Perovskites are solution-processable materials that have shown remarkable power conversion efficiencies in recent years, rivalling and even surpassing those of conventional silicon-based cells. Their compatibility with low-temperature, ambient processing makes them ideal candidates for integration into flexible substrates. However, challenges remain: flexible perovskite devices still face significant issues related to mechanical fragility, environmental instability, scalability, and concerns about lead (Pb) toxicity.
The EFESO project is conceived to tackle these challenges through a multidisciplinary research program that combines materials engineering, device physics, environmental science, and industrial process design. The overarching objective is to develop flexible perovskite solar modules that are not only highly efficient and durable, but also environmentally responsible and scalable to commercial formats. The project achieves this by integrating additive engineering, interface design, mechanical durability testing, and encapsulation strategies into a single coherent framework.
Over the course of the project, the following six specific objectives are pursued:
1) Assess and optimize materials for flexible perovskite solar cells, focusing on solvents, additives, and interfacial layers to enhance film formation and reduce toxicity.
2) Fabricate high-efficiency small-area flexible devices, targeting over 23% power conversion efficiency while ensuring environmental and mechanical stability.
3) Upscale devices to module-level areas and conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts and readiness for circular economy integration.
4) Develop advanced encapsulation techniques that provide robust protection against mechanical stress and mitigate lead leakage under real-world conditions.
5) Foster the researcher's scientific independence and transferable skill development through training, mentoring, and international collaboration.
6) Disseminate project results across academic, industrial, and public audiences to ensure widespread impact and knowledge transfer.
EFESO operates within the broader strategic priorities of the European Green Deal, contributing to the decarbonization of the energy sector and supporting Europe’s goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent. The project also aligns with EU objectives in areas such as digital transformation, sustainable innovation, and industrial competitiveness, by delivering energy solutions tailored for smart devices and flexible electronics.
The project’s impact is expected to be significant: by advancing flexible solar technology toward commercial maturity, EFESO contributes to making solar energy more accessible, customizable, and sustainable. Its scientific and technological outputs, including new testing protocols and environmentally conscious processing workflows, are already influencing best practices and standardization efforts across the photovoltaics community. In doing so, EFESO sets a strong foundation for long-term innovation in renewable energy and supports Europe’s leadership in clean-tech solutions for the future.
