Key aspects to consider in Energy proposals – EUPI-PV Partnership (HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09)

11th June 2025 at 5:06 pm

As the EU advances towards climate neutrality by 2050, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology continues to be a cornerstone of its renewable energy strategy. Horizon Europe’s Cluster 5 call topic HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09 aims to support breakthroughs in silicon growth technologies for PV applications. With the submission deadline set for 2 September 2025, energy consortia must align their proposals precisely with the call’s scope and expected impacts. In this post, we explore five critical aspects to enhance your proposal’s competitiveness.

Ensure industrial relevance and uptake

Focus on industrial-scale potential: The project should address challenges in scaling up, such as process stability, crystal quality, and compatibility with current and future cell technologies. The goal is not academic proof-of-concept but realistic deployment within the EU’s industrial context.

Involve key industrial players: The call topic emphasises that the involvement of ‘at least one silicon ingot and wafer manufacturer’ is expected. Make sure the project objectives are in line with the companies’ business plans.

Present project objectives in pre-defined metrics

Meet technology readiness expectations: The developed technologies for optimised or alternative silicon growth technologies need to reach Technology Readiness Levels of TRL 7-8, equivalent to demonstrating at least a system prototype (not just a single component) in an operational environment (not on lab scale). Clearly state, how you will determine whether the target TRL was reached.

Use EUPI-PV Partnership indicators: The call topic HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09 implements the European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics (EUPI-PV). Proposals must reflect this by promising to report their results to EUPI-PV in support of monitoring their key performance indicators (KPIs).

Demonstrate environmental and economic gains

Tackle energy intensity and resource use: The call topic prioritises technologies that significantly reduce the environmental footprint of crystalline silicon PV manufacturing. Proposals should present lifecycle analyses demonstrating improved energy payback times, reduced waste, and lower emissions compared to current benchmarks.

Justify cost-efficiency metrics: Proposals must convincingly articulate how their innovations lead to cost reductions in € per watt, factoring in the entire production chain. Consider adding techno-economic assessments to support your claims.

Support EU strategic autonomy

Secure raw material independence: The EU’s drive for open strategic autonomy means reducing dependence on imported silicon or manufacturing equipment. Projects that involve recycling or alternative supply chains will score higher on impact criteria.

Build resilient value chains: Link your project with European upstream and downstream players. The evaluators seek proposals that reinforce domestic capacity across the PV supply chain—from polysilicon to final module production.

Emphasise knowledge transfer and exploitation

Clear exploitation and dissemination strategy: Your proposal should detail how results will be shared, adopted, and scaled. Consider involving SMEs and industrial clusters for faster uptake. Use innovation management plans to structure your approach.

FAIR data and IP management: Ensure your data management aligns with the FAIR principles and clearly address how intellectual property will be handled within the consortium and for external stakeholders.

Overall, HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-09 represents a strategic opportunity for European consortia to reshape the PV value chain with sustainable and scalable silicon technologies. Considering the top five aspects – industrial relevance and uptake, meeting TRL and KPI targets, environmental impact, strategic autonomy, and exploitation – will not only boost your chances of success but help accelerate Europe’s energy transition. As the 2 September 2025 deadline approaches, now is the time to fine-tune your proposal with precision and purpose.

How accelopment can support

We assist researchers, companies and institutions by reviewing proposals or offering full writing support. Our multi-disciplinary and highly qualified team has many years of experience notably in projects in Energy, Materials, ICT and manufacturing and other areas. For example, we have successfully supported the PEPPERONI (perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics), SOLARX (concentrated solar power), CHEOPS (perovskite photovoltaics), macQsimal (quantum technology), SOSLeM (fuel cells) and Mat4Rail (materials) projects. We look forward to discussing your project idea and how we can support you best!

Dr. Johannes Ripperger
Research & Innovation Manager

Andreia Cruz
Research & Innovation Project Manager