CeNTI -

Energy Storage & Generation

MENTOR

Indoor Photovoltaics: Towards an Energy and Climate-Neutral World

The MENTOR project aims to accelerate the development of next-generation indoor photovoltaic (IPV) technologies capable of efficiently harvesting artificial light to power low-energy electronic devices, contributing to a more energy- and climate-neutral future.

The project brings together an international and interdisciplinary network of universities, research centres and industrial partners to address key challenges associated with indoor photovoltaics, including sustainable material development, scalable manufacturing, device stability, recycling, modelling and performance optimisation under low-light conditions.

MENTOR focuses on the development of innovative organic, inorganic and perovskite-based IPV technologies using sustainable and industrially compatible approaches. Combining advanced modelling and characterisation methodologies with sustainable material development, industrial processing, recycling strategies and eco-friendly design solutions, the project aims to improve device scalability, stability, reliability and environmental performance under indoor operating conditions.

In parallel, MENTOR establishes an international, intersectoral and multidisciplinary doctoral training programme through the implementation of 16 individual doctoral research projects, fostering the development of highly qualified researchers in renewable energy, electronics and sustainable technologies.

Website: Mentor

Main Goals/Activities

The MENTOR project is structured into seven Work Packages (WPs) focused on the development of innovative indoor photovoltaic (IPV) technologies, sustainability, modelling, characterisation, advanced training and exploitation activities.

WP1 and WP2 – Development of IPV technologies. Develop organic, inorganic and perovskite-based IPV technologies using sustainable materials and scalable, industrially compatible manufacturing processes. Improve the scalability, stability and performance of IPV devices under indoor lighting conditions.
WP3 – Characterisation, Reliability and Modelling. Develop advanced characterisation and modelling methodologies to assess IPV performance, stability, reliability and degradation mechanisms under low-light conditions.
WP4 – Sustainability. Assess the environmental impact of materials and manufacturing processes. Develop recycling strategies and sustainable encapsulation solutions to improve IPV stability, durability and environmental performance.

WP5 to WP7 – Management, Dissemination and Training. Support project coordination, dissemination and exploitation activities, while promoting advanced doctoral training and career development.

CeNTI’s participation is focused on WP4, specifically on the evaluation of sustainable encapsulation systems for IPVs using bio-based polymers and eco-friendly coating technologies to improve device stability and durability under indoor operating conditions. The work will be carried out within the framework of a doctoral research project developed in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

As part of the MENTOR project, CeNTI will also host short-term research secondments involving doctoral candidates participating in the project.

With support of: