Long-lifetime and optimised use of materials in recyclable Ag and In-free Si PV modules (EUPI-PV Partnership)

This summary details a Horizon Europe funding opportunity titled "Long-lifetime and optimised use of materials in recyclable Ag and In-free Si PV modules (EUPI-PV Partnership)," classified under the HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-12 topic. The call targets advancements in photovoltaic technology, specifically focusing on enhancing the longevity and sustainability of silicon-based solar cells.

Key information includes:
- Status: Forthcoming
- Planned opening date: December 18, 2025
- Submission deadline: March 31, 2026
- Action type: Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA)
- Grant type: Lump Sum Grant with a fixed amount of €5,000,000 per project
- Total budget for this topic: €15,000,000
- Expected number of grants: 3
- Call Title: BATTERIES and ENERGY

Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States and associated countries, encompassing universities, research organizations, private companies (including SMEs), and consortia. A multidisciplinary consortium is required for project proposals, highlighting the necessity of diverse expertise in materials science, sustainability, and manufacturing.

The primary objective is to develop photovoltaic modules that can last over 40 years while minimizing the use of critical raw materials like silver and indium, and allowing for enhanced recyclability and repairability. Proposals should entail methodologies to extend module lifetime and incorporate recycled content while ensuring that new designs maintain efficiency, safety, and reliability.

Financial support is provided through non-repayable lump sum grants, streamlining fiscal management for beneficiaries. The application process involves a single-stage submission, requiring complete proposals to be submitted electronically.

This Horizon Europe initiative aligns with European strategies for climate neutrality and advancing renewable energy technologies. It seeks to reduce reliance on critical materials and foster a circular economy while bolstering the competitiveness of the European photovoltaic sector. Success rates for this highly competitive opportunity might be low, reflecting the strategic importance of the topic within the EU's research and innovation agenda.

Overall, the project aims not only to innovate in the field of solar technology but also to strengthen the broader economy through sustainable practices, thereby supporting climate action and energy transition goals.

This is a Horizon Europe call, specifically HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-12, focusing on "Long-lifetime and optimised use of materials in recyclable Ag and In-free Si PV modules (EUPI-PV Partnership)". It falls under the BATTERIES and ENERGY (HORIZON-CL5-2026-03) call and is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The deadline model is single-stage, with a planned opening date of 18 December 2025 and a deadline of 31 March 2026 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The call aims to improve the eco-design and sustainability of silicon-based solar cells and modules. This includes reducing the use of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), revalorising recycled silicon waste, adopting recyclable/repairable module designs, and extending their lifetime without compromising reliability and durability.

Expected outcomes of the projects include:

Ultra-low carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact PV cells/modules through lifetime extension, Ag or In free, and with designs that allow recyclability and repairability.
Support for a stronger, more resilient, and competitive European economic base fit for green and digital transitions by reducing strategic dependencies for critical raw materials and components.
Support for the execution of the solar energy joint research and innovation agenda.

The scope of the proposals should include:

Extending module lifetime up to 40 years with extreme weather resilience.
Developing cell/module architectures/designs including recycled content, without In or Ag and without harmful substances (Pb, F, etc.) while maintaining quality and reliability.
Developing module designs with improved recyclability and repairability.
Developing adapted testing methodologies and recycling standards.
Providing technical solutions for PV module repair in the field to extend lifetime.
Determining the environmental benefits of recycling precious metals.

This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV), and projects are expected to report results to the EUPI-PV to support the monitoring of its KPIs.

General conditions for admissibility include proposal page limits and layout as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. If projects use satellite data, they must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F.

Legal and financial aspects include the granting authority's right to object to ownership transfer or exclusive licensing of results up to 4 years after the action's end, as per Annex 5. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. General grant conditions are described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.

Application and evaluation forms are available in the Submission System, including a standard application form (HE RIA, IA) and evaluation form templates. Guidance documents include the HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, and rules for legal entity validation.

The budget overview indicates that for HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D2-02, the budget is 14,200,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 4,700,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-01, the budget is 9,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 3,000,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-12, the budget is 15,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 5,000,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-13, the budget is 31,500,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 10,500,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-18, the budget is 20,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 10,000,000 EUR and 2 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-19, the budget is 24,000,000 EUR, with indicative grant amounts ranging from 4,000,000 to 12,000,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20, the budget is 14,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 7,000,000 EUR and 2 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-21, the budget is 12,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 4,000,000 EUR and 3 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-22, the budget is 12,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 6,000,000 EUR and 2 grants expected. For HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-29, the budget is 25,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 5,000,000 EUR and 5 grants expected.

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration, and the submission system will open on the date stated in the topic header.

This opportunity is about making silicon photovoltaic modules more sustainable and durable. It addresses the growing concern of end-of-life PV modules and the need to reduce reliance on critical raw materials. The goal is to fund projects that can develop PV modules that last longer, are easier to recycle and repair, and use more environmentally friendly materials. This will not only reduce the environmental impact of solar energy but also strengthen Europe's economic competitiveness in the green energy sector. The EU wants to support research and innovation that leads to solar panels that are not only efficient but also sustainable throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to disposal.

Eligible Applicant Types: While the specific types of eligible applicants are not explicitly listed, the opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, which generally targets a wide range of entities. Based on the program's typical beneficiaries, eligible applicants could include universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises, and other organizations capable of conducting research and innovation activities. The mention of LEAR (Legal Entity Appointed Representative) also suggests that any legal entity can apply.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) funded through a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, the presence of a "Partner Search" function suggests that collaborative projects involving multiple partners are encouraged, if not required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be focused on EU member states and associated countries, as indicated by the reference to Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes and the mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries." However, the text also notes that some non-EU countries have made provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects, so eligibility may extend beyond the EU and associated countries in certain cases.

Target Sector: The primary target sector is energy, specifically photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. The program focuses on improving the eco-design and sustainability of silicon-based solar cells and modules. This includes reducing the use of Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), revalorizing recycled silicon waste, adopting recyclable/repairable module designs, and extending the lifetime of PV modules.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is within the Horizon Europe framework, implying a focus on EU member states and associated countries. There is also a mention of "non-EU/non-Associated Countries" that may have specific funding provisions.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to target both research and innovation actions, suggesting a range from development to demonstration. The emphasis on extending module lifetime, developing new designs, and improving recyclability indicates a focus on projects that are beyond the initial research phase and are moving towards practical application and validation.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call. Based on the "Budget overview," individual grants can range from around €3,000,000 to around €10,500,000, with some topics offering funding between €4,000,000 and €12,000,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary: This Horizon Europe funding opportunity, under the BATTERIES and ENERGY call, aims to enhance the sustainability and eco-friendliness of photovoltaic (PV) energy systems, particularly silicon-based solar cells and modules. The focus is on extending the lifetime of PV modules, reducing the reliance on critical raw materials like silver and indium, promoting the use of recycled materials, and improving the recyclability and repairability of modules. Eligible applicants can include a range of entities such as universities, research institutes, SMEs, and large enterprises from EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU countries. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. Projects are expected to contribute to a European economic base that is stronger, more resilient, competitive, and fit for the green and digital transitions, by reducing strategic dependencies for critical raw materials and components. The call also supports the execution of the solar energy joint research and innovation agenda.