SOLARUP · Advanced Strategies for Development of Sustainable Semiconductors for Scalable Solar Cell Applications

SOLARUP directly addresses the ever louder call for sustainable energy production. The proposed solar energy conversion technology will reduce dependence on critical raw materials and overcome efficiency thresholds to unlock the future of flexible photovoltaic (PV) solar cells for mass deployment in smart buildings, soft robotics, wearable electronics, and other consumer products. Our main innovations lie in nanoengineering zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) for use as an earth-abundant direct bandgap semiconductor absorber, and combined with a novel device architecture we target cell efficiency enhancements of up to 15%. Advanced manufacturing techniques such as nanoimprinting and metal-organic vapour-phase epitaxy will be explored to open industrially scalable routes to synthesise high quality Zn3P2 films. Moreover, our approach will allow reuse of the growth substrate, making sustainability another core element of SOLARUP’s radical vision. Optimisation of both the absorber structure and device architecture will be achieved through a holistic interplay of first-principles calculations and atomic scale structural and electronic characterisation. The main outcome of SOLARUP will be the demonstration of an ultrathin-film PV technology that is scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable, complete with a comprehensive life cycle analysis. In this sense our aim is to feed and inspire the development of Zn3P2-based solar cells towards a market ready technology. The project consortium unites six European teams with complementary expertise at the forefront of Zn3P2 research, device architecture, and life cycle analysis, who will approach the ambitious challenges from a flexible and interdisciplinary perspective. SOLARUP has clear potential to make science-based contributions to energy security and high-quality job creation, while also connecting to industry and boosting the trajectories of early-career team members.