11 December 2025
Solar TAP has quickly proven itself as a successful model for technology transfer and will now be continued on a permanent basis. The Helmholtz platform accelerates innovation in printed, flexible photovoltaics and provides companies with rapid access to high-end research infrastructures.
The Helmholtz Association is continuing the Solar TAP innovation platform, which is coordinated by the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN). The three participating Helmholtz Centres - Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and KIT - are pooling their facilities and expertise to create an innovation ecosystem that is unique in Europe.
Since 2023, Solar TAP has evolved into a central hub for cooperation between research and industry. Following an outstanding evaluation, the programme will now be continued on a permanent basis. Solar TAP has proven to be a successful model for how modern research infrastructures can accelerate innovation and bring new technologies to market quickly. For companies, this means faster access to research, reliable data, and shorter development cycles.
Whether roll-to-roll pilot plants, high-end printing technologies, or digital twins - Solar TAP gives companies access to infrastructures that are otherwise reserved for large research institutions. This allows prototypes, materials, or entire manufacturing steps to be tested under realistic conditions. The focus is on printed, ultra-light and flexible solar modules that can be freely shaped and integrated into agriculture, building envelopes or mobile systems.
A sought-after platform for start-ups and industry
Today, more than 50 companies are already part of the network, from start-ups to global market leaders - including virtually all major manufacturers of innovative 'emerging' solar cells. More than 60 companies are now cooperating with the platform in research projects. At the same time, industrial contributions rose from around €2 million (2023) to almost €5 million (2025) - a clear sign of the value that companies see in open access to Helmholtz research.
Fast-track collaboration
A core element of the platform is the Exploratory Innovation Activities (EIAs), which can be launched within a few days or weeks. Long contract routines are shortened here by a joint regulatory system of the three Helmholtz Centres. EIAs enable early feasibility tests, minimise risks and often form the prelude to larger collaborations or have already led to publicly funded joint projects.
Exemplary projects
AgriPV: solar energy and agriculture combined
In North Rhine-Westphalia and Portugal, Solar TAP is testing semi-transparent organic PV modules over berry crops in collaboration with companies such as Bestema and Lusomorango. The field trials show how photovoltaics can protect plants and generate electricity at the same time.
Building technologies: PV as part of architecture
Solar TAP is investigating a large-scale façade installation of flexible modules from the manufacturer Heliatek for Erlangen's municipal utilities. The operating data flows directly back into product development and significantly shortens innovation cycles.
Production technologies: From the laboratory to industrial manufacturing
With partners such as Notion Systems and FOM Technologies, new coating and printing processes for perovskite solar cells have been developed that are crucial for industrial production lines. Together with companies such as LayTec and Solaveni, improved measurement systems and non-toxic precursor solutions have also been developed.
>>> More examples on the Solar TAP website
