The SUPERNOVA project brings together a consortium of 20 partners representing the entire value chain of photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, including manufacturers, project developers, independent power producers, operations and maintenance (O&M) providers, specialized service providers, and research institutions. This broad composition is fundamental to the project’s ambition: improving quality, sustainability, and efficiency across the PV sector by breaking down existing silos along the value chain and fostering collaboration between all stakeholders.
The project pursues seven interlinked specific objectives:
1. Improving PV plant design for O&M and grid-friendliness, by introducing objective functions beyond yield maximization and enabling designs compatible with unmanned vehicle operations.
2. Developing advanced sensing solutions with high spatial and temporal granularity, such as smart modules with integrated monitoring and failure detection, string-level IoT monitoring devices, and smart tracking control systems.
3. Leveraging robotic solutions through the hybridization of aerial and ground-based platforms, combining inspection sensors with patrolling robots, and integrating aerial imaging with in-field inspection to reduce costs and expand coverage.
4. Enabling data fusion across the value chain and service providers to maximize insights from diverse sources, supported by AI and machine learning for sensor-data-image integration and computer vision for O&M applications.
5. Facilitating a circular economy for PV components through data-driven classification, enabling re-use of functional components, and supporting improved warranty and insurance claim processes.
6. Increasing the profitability and resilience of PV systems via innovative O&M and grid-friendly strategies, including data monetization, enhanced energy trading, and adaptation to climate change impacts.
7. Building confidence and business value in data sharing by developing a PV sector Energy Data Space with customizable sharing plans, dedicated applications for data processing, and guidelines for monetization and best practices.
Together, these objectives define a holistic approach where technological innovation, digital integration, and sustainability reinforce each other. SUPERNOVA thus aims to not only advance the technical and economic performance of PV systems but also create new business opportunities and strengthen Europe’s leadership in renewable energy.
