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The bifa Umweltinstitut is part of the SMARTLINE PV research project, which focuses on the further development of pioneering perovskite technology for photovoltaic solar energy (PV).

Lead-based perovskite solar modules (PSM) have a higher energy conversion efficiency than the most advanced crystalline silicon modules (c-Si) currently available. As an alternative to potentially environmentally hazardous lead-containing PSM, SMARTLINE PV aims to manufacture lead-free perovskite solar cells (PSC) and modules. SMARTLINE PV is developing a solar cell technology based on tin perovskite with a focus on efficient roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing, reduced costs and flexible modules with selectable colours.

The project, funded by the European Union, demonstrates how the circular economy and eco-design of innovative PV modules can be influenced in the development phase – keyword: design for recycling. For a future technology that is still in its infancy, eco-design is to be implemented down to the level of the solar cell and in all product components.

The work packages on resource efficiency, eco-design and guidelines for design with regard to recycling, as well as the initial assessments of waste and recycling management within the project, are part of bifa's research work. We are looking at methods for evaluating and analysing recycling paths and are drawing up guidelines for eco-design, resource efficiency and design for recycling.

The bifa Umweltinstitut GmbH will be represented at the FuturePV Workshop on 20–22 May 2025 at the University of Cyprus (Nicosia, Cyprus). At this joint event of 14 current European funding projects, experts will discuss how perovskite PV technology can be scaled up, made more durable and more sustainable.

Dr Matthias Hämmer from bifa Umweltinstitut will present findings from the SMARTLINE PV project in his presentation ‘Eco-design guidelines for tin-based perovskite PV modules’.

Further information