News from EPFL-PVlab

© 2026 EPFL

Paper Alert: Integrated photovoltaics innovation and collaboration

— We are very happy to share our new Nature Energy Correspondence paper: “Integrated photovoltaics need design innovation and cross-sector collaboration”

© 2026 EPFL

Kerem Artuk, PVLAB Phd, receives the Claude Nicollier Research Award

— Kerem Artuk, ex-PVLAB, now R&D Engineer in Sustainable Energy at CSEM, has received the inaugural Claude Nicollier Research Excellence Award for his contribution to the development of a record-breaking perovskite–silicon triple-junction solar cell.

© 2026 EPFL

Julien Hurni of PV-LAB wins best abstract award at SiliconPV 2026

— Congratulations to Julien Hurni (EPFL PV-Lab) and his colleagues from both the EPFL PV-Lab and the CSEM Sustainability Center. Their recent submission was recognized as one of the 10 best abstracts at the SiliconPV 2026 conference in Ankara.

© 2026 EPFL

Paper Alert: PVD-CSS, Wide-Bandgap Degradation and E-Mobility

— Be sure to check out the three newest PVLAB papers focused on PVD-CSS process for depositing perovskites, the degredation mechanism of wide-bandgap perovskites and a model supporting local e-mobility planning.

© 2026 EPFL

A solar-powered adventure: EPFL PV-Lab student shines at the 4L Troph

— This winter, Florentin Julien, a semester student from EPFL PV-Lab, took part in the iconic 4L Trophy, a unique challenge combining engineering, endurance and solidarity. He travelled across France, Spain, and Morocco in a customized classic Renault 4 for 12 days. The student designed and constructed lightweight glass-free photovoltaic modules (Figure 2) as well as a dedicated battery and optimized and state-of-charge (SoC) model.

The triple-junction solar cell (54 cm2). © Kerem Artuk

Record efficiency for perovskite-silicon triple-junction solar cells

— EPFL and CSEM researchers have achieved a record 30% efficiency for triple-junction solar cells, which combine two thin-film perovskite cells and one silicon cell on a single device. The milestone could advance affordable next-generation solar technologies for space and terrestrial applications.

© 2026 EPFL

PV-Lab wins international PV stability contest in perovskite cells

— Mostafa Othman achieved benchmark stability records for perovskite solar cells, including the most stable laser-scribed single-junction perovskite minimodules to-date (at 75°C) in both accelerated ageing and outdoor testing conditions.

© 2026 EPFL

Congratulations to all new Doctors of the PV-lab!

— 4 PhD students from PV-Lab successfully defended their thesis during the last year. Congratulations to all new Doctors of PV-Lab and good luck in their future adventures!

© 2025 EPFL

Christophe Ballif wins ERC Synergy Grants for Ultimate PV

— On 6th of November, the European Research council announced the selection of 66 ERC Synergy Grants for a total 684 m€ ! Fantastic news: our "Ultimate PV project", with EPFL PV-lab (Christophe Ballif) , Stefan Glunz at University of Freiburg, and Stéphane Collin at CNRS has been selected as one of the winning project 

Pierre Vandergheynst and Christophe Ballif. 2025 EPFL CC BY SA

Pierre Vandergheynst and Christophe Ballif win ERC Synergy Grants

— The European Research Council announced on Thursday that School of Engineering professors Pierre Vandergheynst and Christophe Ballif have been awarded ERC Synergy Grants to tackle major scientific challenges.

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