The PEPPERONI project marked a productive October with three key events that stressed the consortium members’ ongoing commitment to exchange knowledge. A highlight of the month was the 4th General Assembly (GA) meeting held in Austria, followed by strategic representation at Enlit Europe in Milan and an industry presentation at the Metallization and Interconnection Workshop (MIW) in France. Additionally, a community outreach event took place at a local school in Lithuania. Below, we summarise these meetings and share insights.
4th General Assembly in Leoben, Austria
On October 21-22, the PEPPERONI consortium gathered in Leoben, Austria, for its 4th General Assembly meeting, hosted by the Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL). This assembly, attended by over 35 project partners from across Europe, focused on evaluating the project’s progress, addressing challenges, and setting clear objectives for the future.
Taking a fresh approach, as proposed by the communication and coordinating team, the event featured an innovative format that facilitated deeper engagement and effective information sharing. Poster sessions were interspersed with panel presentations, focus groups, and project highlights, allowing participants to collaborate in task-oriented groups. This interactive structure, designed to maximize the value of in-person interactions, was met with enthusiastic feedback.
The new format surpassed expectations, enabling in-depth discussions and productive exchanges, particularly through the task-based poster sessions. The positive feedback from participants highlighted the effectiveness of this approach, and the consortium is eager to incorporate partner input in future gatherings.
PEPPERONI at Enlit Europe in Milan, Italy
Following the General Assembly, PEPPERONI was represented at Enlit Europe in Milan on 23 October by accelopment, the project’s communications and dissemination partner. This annual event, a key platform in the renewable energy sector, offered the project an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore new partnerships with other EU-funded initiatives. Enlit Europe also featured a dedicated zone for EU-funded projects, where PEPPERONI connected with over 25 other exhibitors showcasing their innovative research and technologies. The Projects Zone Hub sessions highlighted various topics, including energy data spaces, energy efficiency and optimisation with AI, grid technologies, and related policy discussions. By participating in these sessions, PEPPERONI strengthened its visibility and engaged with experts on the latest technological advancements aimed at advancing renewable energy integration.
Through its presence at Enlit Europe, PEPPERONI sought to foster partnerships that could accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions across Europe, contributing to a resilient and sustainable energy future.
Presentation at the 12th Metallization and Interconnection Workshop (MIW)
PEPPERONI partners from Mondragon Assembly contributed to the 12th edition of the Metallization and Interconnection Workshop (MIW) for Crystalline Solar Cells, held in Chambery, France, on October 23-24. Mondragon Assembly presentation on “Flexible Tool Solutions for Innovative PV Interconnection,” served as an excellent opportunity to share insights from the development of cell interconnection equipment compatible with advanced interconnection processes and PEPPERONI’s pilot line requirements. This workshop provided an ideal venue for showcasing PEPPERONI’s technological advancements and underscored the project’s role in addressing barriers for perovskite/silicon tandem modules manufacturing.
Community outreach at the local gymnasium, Lithuania
On 25 October, members of the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) research group visited Balys Buračas Gymnasium in Karmėlava, Lithuania, to engage with pupils on the topic of solar energy. Led by Šarūnė Daškevičiūtė, Aistė Jagorovė, and Ernestas Kasparavičius, the team delivered an informative lecture entitled “Solar Energy: Combating Climate Change.”
The session provided students with insights into the science behind solar cells and the latest advancements in photovoltaic technology. The lecture included hands-on experiments, with pupils having the opportunity to construct their own small solar cells. Approximately 80 pupils attended, gaining a deeper understanding of renewable energy technology and its potential to address climate change.
From internal discussions, high-profile international energy forums and scientific conferences to engaging community outreach sessions, PEPPERONI partners actively showcased the project’s work and commitment to advancing solar technology. Stay tuned as PEPPERONI continues driving innovative solutions and building momentum toward a sustainable energy future for all.
