PV based electrification of the economy: Designing & optimising PV systems supporting industrial electrification and promoting participation in electricity markets (EUPI-PV Partnership)

Overview

Funding for research and innovation projects focused on designing and optimizing high-voltage photovoltaic (PV) systems for industrial electrification or enhancing PV participation in electricity markets. Targets consortia developing scalable, efficient, and market-integrated PV solutions.

Who Can Apply

Consortia of legal entities (e.g., research institutions, industry, SMEs, public bodies) from eligible countries. Single applicants are not permitted.

Funding Details

• Maximum grant amount: €10,000,000 per project.
• Funding is provided as a lump sum.
• Co-funding requirements are not specified.

What Is Funded

Projects must address at least one of the following scopes: 1. High-voltage DC PV systems: - Design of >3kV system architectures and efficiency evaluations. - Development of AC/DC hybrid solutions for industrial loads. - Demonstration of high-voltage DC grids in industrial installations. - Assessment of higher voltage impacts on PV modules. 2. PV participation in electricity markets: - Integrated management of PV generators for dynamic/nodal pricing. - Pooling PV with other assets for balancing mechanisms. - Business models and financing schemes for market participation. - Digitalization for reliability and risk mitigation.

Technology / Maturity Requirements

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 7–9 (system prototype demonstration to system completion and qualification).

Key Dates

• Open date: 2027-08-03.
• Deadline: 2027-11-30T23:00:00Z.

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.

Post-Award Obligations

• Reporting on results to the European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV) for KPI monitoring.
• Exploitation and dissemination plans, including scalability, commercialization, and deployment strategies.
• Potential transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results may be subject to approval by the granting authority 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 align with the solar energy joint research and innovation agenda.
• Use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS data is mandatory if satellite-based services are employed.
• Proposals must include a preliminary exploitation plan with feasibility studies or business plans.