Most of us are familiar with solar panels, which produce electricity through the photovoltaic effect, but in the future they may well be replaced by solar hybrid photovoltaic and thermal (PVT) collectors. That is the goal of researchers working on the PVT4EU project, a Swedish-led research initiative including partners from Portugal, Sweden, and Denmark.
These are devices that are more efficient than conventional solar technologies since they are capable of producing both electricity and heat simultaneously. In simple terms, PVT4EU aims to develop a new way to harness solar energy. As Europe transitions towards renewable energy sources for power and heat generation, solar energy will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring energy security in the near future.
More Efficient Energy Use
Unlike current conventional solar panels, photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal (ST), PVT collectors take up less space and can deliver higher energy yields per square metre of roof area, which makes this technology attractive, particularly in urban setups where the roof area is limited.
“Europe needs a more resilient and efficient energy system going forward. The goal is for solar hybrid collectors to deliver more efficient and reliable energy than traditional solar technologies currently on the market,” says Iván Acosta Pazmiño, coordinator and researcher within the consortium. “The PVT4EU solar hybrid collectors are being developed for the European renewable energy market and are designed for both residential and industrial applications,” he adds.
Iván Acosta Pazmiño who coordinates the consortium holds a PhD in Energy Systems, and coordinates the project alongside his full-time job as Head of Engineering at MG Sustainable Engineering AB in Uppsala in Sweden. Photo: MG Sustainable Engineering.
Positive Results
Pazmiño explains that the solar collectors were initially developed through a previous collaboration with industry, and the prototypes have since been further improved through the PVT4EU project. A first version of the prototypes was already tested in Denmark, while further development is taking place in Sweden before the final testing campaign that will take place in Portugal. “The project has been quite challenging, but we are really pleased with the results so far,” he says.
One key success factor is that three of the seven consortium partners come from industry, which helps ensure a smoother path from research to market. PVT4EU is funded until August 2026, but development of the prototype will continue beyond that period. According to Pazmiño, additional funding is already being secured to bring the technology to a higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) after project culmination. “In the next phase, the plan is to fine-tune the design with feedback received from early adopters and begin commercialisation with a minimum marketable product,” he says.
Building Awareness and Networks
The consortium has helped raise awareness of solar hybrid collectors in the market and strengthened collaboration between research and industry through its recently launched initiative, PVT Nexus, a research network that connects researchers at various levels and enhances the utilisation of European research infrastructure in PVTs.
Beyond product development, he highlights another major achievement of the collaboration: “We have established strong research and innovation networks, not only among project partners but also with markets and other research environments working in the same field. This makes it much easier to cooperate and share resources when needed,” Pazmiño concludes.
About the project
The consortium consists of two universities, three SMEs, and one research institute. Together, they bring strong expertise in areas such as advanced PV-cell development, PVT collector manufacturing, and thermal, electrical, and optical engineering, as well as modelling, prototyping, and technological impact assessment.