Improved system design for innovative PV applications (EUPI-PV Partnership)

Overview

Funding for advanced system design and demonstration of innovative photovoltaic (PV) applications, specifically agrivoltaics (agriPV) or offshore/nearshore PV systems, to optimize land and sea use while maximizing energy output. Targets consortia developing scalable, resilient, and sustainable PV solutions with demonstrated environmental and societal benefits.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., research institutions, industry, public bodies, SMEs) from eligible countries. Projects must address either agriPV or offshore/nearshore PV, not both.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €40,000,000
• Funding type: Lump sum
• Total budget: Not specified
• Co-funding: Not explicitly required but exploitation plans must include scalability and commercialization strategies, potentially leveraging the Innovation Fund.

What Is Funded

• Agrivoltaics (agriPV):

- System modeling for energy yield, biodiversity, and crop yield/quality. - Advanced components and architectures minimizing land impact while optimizing grid connection. - Climate resilience, standardization, permitting processes, and societal acceptance strategies. - Demonstrators (minimum 5 MW total) across EU climate zones.

• Offshore/nearshore PV:

- System designs reducing CAPEX/OPEX and lowering Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). - Resilience to sea conditions, grid integration, and conflict mitigation (e.g., shipping, fishing, military use). - Demonstrators (minimum 5 MW total) in diverse EU sea zones.

• Cross-cutting:

- Exploitation and dissemination plans, including business cases and scalability strategies. - Involvement of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines to enhance societal impact.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 7–9 (system prototype demonstration in operational environment to actual system proven in operational environment).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2026-08-03
• Deadline: 2026-11-30T23:00:00Z

Application Process (High-Level)

• Single-stage submission via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
• Proposals must adhere to page limits and templates outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
• Evaluation based on award criteria, with portfolio balance ensuring at least two grants per focus area (agriPV and offshore/nearshore PV).

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting on project results to the European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV) for KPI monitoring.
• Exploitation and dissemination of results, including strategies for commercialization and scalability.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data if satellite-based services are employed.
• Potential restrictions on ownership transfer or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years post-project.

Geographic Scope & Language

• Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
• Application language: English.

Notes

• Projects must use lump-sum funding, with eligible costs defined in the Horizon Europe Lump Sum Decision.
• Proposals must include a strong business case and preliminary plans for commercialization.
• SSH expertise is mandatory to address societal acceptance, policy integration, and environmental sustainability.
• Conflicts of interest (e.g., shipping, fishing) must be addressed for offshore/nearshore PV projects.