Protech, in collaboration with our partners at METSOLAR EU, proudly co-hosted the 3rd General Assembly of the EMPOWER Horizon Europe Project in Vilnius. Bringing together a concentrated group of top-tier experts, researchers, and technology providers, the event highlighted the rapid pace at which European photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing is advancing.
The assembly went far beyond standard project presentations. Over the course of the event, the consortium engaged in an intensive mix of technical workshops, project updates, and dynamic discussions focused on strengthening Europe’s energy independence and scaling next-generation solar technologies.
Bridging the Gap: Parallel Validation and Production
A recurring theme throughout the assembly was the necessity of rigorous testing alongside rapid innovation. While the consortium’s tool makers construct advanced manufacturing hardware and deploy Industry 4.0 solutions, Protech’s open-access R&D infrastructure conducts the metrological validation for these developed products in parallel.
Currently, our focus within the project includes:
- Testing Next-Generation Architectures: Validating new equipment and executing climatic stress tests on BC (Back Contact) module technologies simultaneously.
- Eliminating Industry Guesswork: Ensuring that as manufacturing scales, there is no room for uncertainty in production or field performance.
- [Insert Specific Detail]: [Add a 1-2 sentence specific example here-e.g., Specifically, during this period we are evaluating how the new BC module architectures from next generation tools respond to accelerated ageing and other stress tests according to IEC 61215-2:2021 standards.
By integrating accredited testing directly into the development cycle, we help partners navigate the “valley of death” between a scientific prototype and a market-ready, certified product.
Collaborative Ecosystems Drive Results
Seeing such a dedicated consortium working relentlessly to advance European PV commercialization proves that the sky is the limit when fundamental science meets industrial application.
“Today when PV in EU is facing one more downturn was really encouraging to see optimism of leading EU research centers and main industrial players present on EMPOWER general assembly. Project is working on number of innovations along Si solar technologies value chain which can deliver competitive edge for EU based PV manufacturing in the near future putting back on track PV business in EU.” – dr. J. Ulbikas, CEO
We extend a special thank you to the Institute for Energy Technology and their team members, particularly Helge Malmbekk and Junjie Zhu. Their invaluable contribution and support throughout the assembly are vital to coordinating this multidimensional industrial project.
Looking Forward
The momentum generated in Vilnius sets a strong foundation for the next phases of the EMPOWER project. Through industry-relevant research and continuous metrological validation, Protech remains committed to supporting cost-competitive and highly reliable PV technology for the European market.
We look forward to new challenges and joint initiatives as the project progresses.
