Enhanced Solar PV performance through improved research infrastructure for adapted climate conditions

Información del proyecto

CACTUS

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 101132182

DOI

10.3030/101132182

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 11 Octubre 2023

Fecha de inicio 1 Diciembre 2023

Fecha de finalización 30 Noviembre 2025

Financiado con arreglo a

• Research infrastructures

Coste total

Sin datos

Aportación de la UE

€ 1 495 937,15

Coordinado por

COMMISSARIAT A L ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CACTUS (Enhanced Solar PV performance through improved research infrastructure for adapted climate conditions)

Período documentado: 2023-12-01 hasta 2025-11-30

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

Solar power is emerging as the most economical and scalable energy source, with photovoltaic (PV) technologies expected to supply a major share of global electricity by 2050. However, the long-term performance, reliability and operation and maintenance (O&M) of PV systems are strongly influenced by local climatic conditions. Current research and testing approaches often remain insufficient to assess PV systems under real-life, climate-specific stressors.
European research infrastructures (RIs) have developed advanced PV testing capabilities, but broader climate validation is needed for both current and emerging technologies. At the same time, regions with high solar potential, such as Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), often lack dedicated facilities for long-term PV performance assessment. Addressing these gaps requires coordinated international collaboration.
The CACTUS project responds to this challenge by fostering bi-regional cooperation between Europe and LAC. By connecting world-class RIs, scientific expertise and technological capabilities, CACTUS aimed to develop a sustainable ecosystem for climate-adapted PV research, including climate-specific testing protocols, advanced O&M methodologies and harmonised datasets.
The project’s overall objective was to improve the understanding of PV system behaviour under diverse climatic conditions, enhance PV testing infrastructures, and develop best practices for O&M and life cycle analysis (LCA) adapted to site-specific contexts. Through these actions, CACTUS supports reliable, bankable and sustainable PV deployment, contributing to the EU’s renewable energy and climate objectives.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

CACTUS successfully achieved its objectives by strengthening research infrastructures, coordinating methodologies and enabling knowledge exchange between Europe and Latin America. As a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), the project focused on building frameworks, tools and cooperation mechanisms rather than advancing technologies to higher TRLs.

Key achievements are outlined below:

1. CACTUS developed climate-specific PV testing protocols addressing desert, tropical and alpine conditions. These protocols account for real-world stressors such as heat, humidity, UV exposure and soiling, and provide a structured basis for assessing PV reliability under diverse climates.
2. The project also delivered advanced O&M and predictive maintenance methodologies, including fault detection and diagnosis approaches supported by climate-specific data. These tools contribute to improved system reliability, reduced downtime and enhanced PV plant bankability.
3. A major outcome was the establishment of harmonised datasets combining indoor and outdoor PV performance data from European and LAC sites. These datasets support model calibration, degradation analysis and comparative studies across climates, while promoting data standardisation and sharing.
4. CACTUS further strengthened capacity building and knowledge transfer through training activities, exchanges and workshops, reinforcing expertise in PV testing and O&M across both regions and creating long-term scientific synergies.
5. Finally, the project produced policy-relevant outputs, including a Policy Brief, providing recommendations on climate-specific testing, research infrastructure access and international cooperation to support sustainable PV deployment.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

As a Coordination and Support Action, CACTUS focused on enhancing research infrastructures and coordinating methodologies rather than direct technology development. Nevertheless, the project delivered results that go beyond the current state of the art in several key areas.
CACTUS introduced standardised climate-specific testing frameworks that move beyond conventional laboratory-based approaches, enabling systematic assessment of PV degradation mechanisms under real climatic conditions. This represents a significant advancement over existing testing practices that insufficiently capture environmental variability.
The project also advanced climate-resilient O&M methodologies, integrating predictive maintenance concepts with climate-adapted data. These approaches improve long-term performance assessment and offer new perspectives for reliability-oriented PV operation.
By creating shared, harmonised datasets across continents, CACTUS significantly improved access to climate-specific PV performance data, addressing a long-standing gap for both researchers and industry.
Beyond technical aspects, CACTUS strengthened international collaboration between European and LAC research infrastructures, establishing a durable foundation for joint services, knowledge exchange and future cooperation.
Finally, the project contributed to policy and standardisation discussions, providing evidence and recommendations to support future EU and international frameworks for climate-resilient PV systems.