PV is growing fast, from domestic and commercial, up to utility scale systems. In the years ahead PV systems and solutions will be an integral contributor of distributed generation, pivotal in building functional energy communities, aggregated and operated through advance distributed controls in hierarchical set up with the integrated grid. Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Increase the profitability and penetration of PV systems in renewable energy communities.
• Engage actively citizens and communities in the clean energy transition in particular through the uptake of energy cooperatives and the development of decentralized platforms.

Proposals are expected to demonstrate a community-aggregated system to facilitate the energy transition to a low carbon economy. Through this approach solutions can effectively address the need for overcoming energy poverty, support energy democracy, and expand cooperative solutions for the collective benefit of providers and users. Peer to peer trading and use can be made feasible and emerging solutions highly attractive and implementable.

• Planning, plant optimisation tools, advanced installation criteria, construction issues to increase yield and thus economic performance of PV systems in the built environment.
• Implementation of collective self-consumption schemes, design, simulation, integration with storage, interaction with electric mobility and interaction with the electrical grid to provide power flexibility.
• Effective protocols and robust communication and cooperation between the various required levels of control that is cyber secure, offering the benefits of advanced smart power electronics, sensors and intelligent systems.

This topic requires the effective contribution of Social Science and Humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. Social innovations should also be considered, notably as new tools, ideas and methods leading to active citizen engagement and as drivers of social change, social ownership, and new social practices.

International cooperation with the Mediterranean Region is encouraged.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project ? see General Annex B.

Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.

Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.

Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.

Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.

National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).

Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.

IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.

European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.

CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.  

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.

Partner Search Services help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.