PROJECTS
From Research to Technology Transfer
PVsquared2 is devoted to the development and scale-up of innovative photovoltaic technologies, steadily conducting scientific projects – both national and international – on advanced materials, and collaborating with academic and industrial partners within the renewable energy landscape.
ONGOING PROJECTS
COMPLETED PROJECTS
A direct technology transfer to industry is made possible through our collaboration with leading local green energy companies, including ENI, BeDimensional, and EDISON to name a few. These partnerships play a crucial role in enabling the scale-up of our groundbreaking photovoltaic technology, facilitating its transition from the laboratory to the market. In addition, our group is actively involved in outreach and science communication initiatives as part of the University of Pavia’s Third Mission programme. We are committed to promoting “best practices” in photovoltaics and sustainable energy to a broader, non-specialist audience. This includes engaging the public through hands-on educational activities, such as laboratory open days and participation in events like the European Researchers’ Night.
ELOW-DI – Engineering Low-Dimensional Perovskites forNext-Generation Indoor Photovoltaics
European Researc Council (ERC) – Horizon2020 Consolidator Grant 2024
ELOW-DI is a cutting-edge research project funded by the European Research Council (ERC), aiming to revolutionize indoor photovoltaic (PV) technologies as a sustainable and efficient alternative to batteries for powering smart and portable electronic devices. While current indoor PV technologies suffer from limitations such as rigidity, energy-intensive manufacturing, and poor long-term durability, ELOW-DI explores the potential of wide band gap hybrid perovskites—materials known for their tunability, light weight, and high absorption under low-light conditions. However, these materials still face critical challenges related to efficiency, toxicity, and long-term stability. To overcome these hurdles, ELOW-DI focuses on engineering low-dimensional perovskites (LDPs) incorporating non-toxic components and hydrophobic molecular units, which significantly improve intrinsic stability. A key innovation of the project lies in the controlled design of film morphology, promoting the formation of vertically aligned nanopillars. This architecture enhances charge extraction and reduces recombination losses—two major bottlenecks in current PV technologies. The project will move from proof-of-concept demonstrations at lab scale to the realization of large-area devices, paving the way for scalable, high-performance, and environmentally friendly indoor PV systems. By integrating materials science, device engineering, and interface physics, ELOW-DI delivers a strong multidisciplinary contribution to the future of sustainable energy in the Internet of Things (IoT) era.
Total Funding: 1.991.250€
Project Duration: 01/09/2025 - 31/08/2030
GoPV – New Generation Materials for Tandem Photovoltaic Cells
Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica (MASE) – Bando Ricerca di Sistema
GoPV aims to develop new photovoltaic technologies that allows to reduce the cost of energy production by lowering costs across the entire production supply chain; to study possible solutions for photovoltaic integration capable of promoting an increase in installed capacity; and to develop methodologies that can maximize energy production from photovoltaics. The final goal is to promote benefits for the Italian electricity system and its users, as well as significant impacts for the national industry in the sector. The project’s funding is guaranteed within the “Ricerca di Sistema Elettrico” (Electricity System Research) program, which coordinates research and development efforts aimed at reducing the cost of electricity for end users and improving the overall reliability of the electricity system, optimizing the quality of the service provided. These efforts are carried out while seeking to minimize the environmental and health impacts arising from the electricity system, promoting the responsible use of energy resources. Finally, the project aims to ensure that the country has the necessary conditions for sustainable development in the energy sector, and to support the national plans for a decarbonization of the electricity system.
Total Funding: 515.037€
Project Duration: 21/07/2023 - 20/07/2026
HERO - 2D/3D Perovskite Heterojunction Solar Cells: Pairing Performance with Stability
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) – Competitive Research Grants Program 2022 (CRG11-2022)
HERO investigates degradation mechanisms in perovskite solar cells, focusing on designing 2D/3D interfaces and encapsulants that enhance device and module stability while preserving high performance.
Total Funding: 81.600€
Project Duration: 01/04/2023 - 31/03/2026
IMPACT – From Computational Design to Material Implementation: Imparting Chirality in Luminescent Hybrid Perovskites
Ministry of University and Research (MUR) - Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) 2022
IMPACT focuses on the theoretical design and experimental realization of chiral hybrid perovskites, aiming to investigate and implement novel chiroptical properties in thin films.
Total Funding: 63.281€
Project Duration: 05/11/2023 - 04/11/2025
SPIKE – Engineering Water Repellent Coatings by Functional Nano-Sponges: a Springboard to Stable Perovskite Devices
European Researc Council (ERC) – Horizon Proof of Concept (PoC) Grant 2022
SPIKE brings to market a new class of low-cost, eco-friendly coatings based on functional nanosponges, offering a breakthrough encapsulation solution for perovskite-based photovoltaic technologies.
Total Funding: 150.000€
Project Duration: 01/01/2023 - 30/06/2024
EXPRESS – Exploring Photoferroelectricity in Halide Perovskites for Optoelectronics
Ministry of University and Research (MUR) - Framework per l’Attrazione e il Rafforzamento delle Eccellenze (FARE) 2018
EXPRESS explores ferroelectric ABX₃ halide perovskites and engineered interfaces to boost the performance and long-term stability of next-generation optoelectronic devices.
Total Funding: 299.819€
Project Duration: 22/06/2020 - 22/12/2025
FLHYPER – Green Flexible Hybrid Perovskite Solar Module For The Market: From Smart Lead Manipulation To Recycling
Fondazione Cariplo – Bando Economia Circolare 2021
FLHYPER focuses on developing sustainable solar modules by implementing recycled transparent conductive oxide substrates, balancing environmental and economic impact in a market-oriented approach.
Total Funding: 200.000 €
Project Duration: 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2023 (+ 12 months extension for maternity leave)
HY-NANO – Hybrid Nanostructured Multifunctional Interfaces for Stable, Efficient and Ecofriendly Photovoltaic Devices
European Researc Council (ERC) – Horizon2020 Starting Grant 2018
HY-NANO developed high-efficiency and stable 2D/3D perovskite junctions based on CsMAFAPbI₃ for nip and pin architectures, achieving a world record in 2021 and offering new insights into interfacial processes responsible for device instability.
Total Funding: 1.499.084€
Project Duration: 01/07/2019 - 30/06/2024