Project description
Advancing stable and efficient perovskite solar cells
Solar energy plays a crucial role in ensuring a sustainable future. A promising photovoltaic (PV) technology based on perovskite has recently emerged, but its low stability still hinders its industrialisation. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the SolarWay project aims to improve the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSC) by replacing metallic back-contacts with highly conductive graphitic materials and developing effective encapsulation. Efficiency will also be maximised through light-trapping structures and the entire process will be scaled up using low-cost, solution-based methods. In addition, an electrolyser will be coupled with the PV device to convert solar energy into synthetic gas, aligning with the EU's carbon-neutral ambitions. Computational modelling will be performed in parallel. In conclusion, SolarWay pioneers a holistic approach, guiding us towards a greener future.
Objective
In the face of the escalating environmental challenges, the transition to renewable energies has emerged as a critical and pressing necessity for a sustainable future. Installation of photovoltaic panels is one way to contribute to the decarbonization, but currently there is only one cost-effective technology available for commercial applications - silicon. Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC) have emerged recently as a very promising alternative, but some issues like poor stability and the use of an evaporated metallic back-contact are still hindering its way through industrialization. A promising holistic solution is to replace the metallic back-contact by a highly conductive carbon material. The challenge now is to match the efficiency obtained by the metal back-contact, by maximizing the carbon material’s conductivity, enhancing the interfacial contact or increasing the photon absorption. Regarding the latter issue, light trapping structures are a promising solution since they already proved successful at maximizing the current generation in silicon solar cells. Furthermore, large-scale deposition methods must be adopted to develop a realistic experimental procedure compatible with large-scale production, and the encapsulation must be optimized to maximize the life time of the solar module. Still, the intermittency nature of solar energy might create a mismatch between energy production and consumption. An effective solution is to convert the excess energy into syngas (mixture of CO and H2) by co-electrolysis of CO2 and water. This gas can then be converted into a synthetic fuel and replace the fossil fuels derivatives, contributing for the EU’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon-emission by 2050. The optimization of the solar-to-syngas system can be complex due to the extend of dependent processes in series, and thus a computing simulation is a strong tool for predicting the operation and maximizing the energy efficiency of the entire process.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2829 516 Caparica
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.