SOLVE Phase 2 Approved – The Journey Continues!
We are very happy to share that SOLVE has been granted continued funding for Phase 2 (2027–2031) by the Swedish Energy Agency.
Earlier this year, SOLVE applied for continued funding for a new programme period, which was approved in May. The evaluation of the national energy competence centres highlighted the achievements of Phase 1 (2022–2026), including the development of a strong research environment, scientific publications, doctoral education, new methods and solutions, and valuable collaboration between academia, industry, and the public sector. This decision means that SOLVE can continue its work to support the expansion of solar energy in Sweden, bringing together universities, research institutes, companies, and public actors to develop knowledge and innovation for a more sustainable energy system. The Swedish Energy Agency also emphasized SOLVE’s contribution to Sweden’s energy and climate goals, particularly through advancing knowledge in fossil-free electricity production from solar energy. At the same time, the evaluation pointed to opportunities for the next phase – including stronger industry engagement, broader communication activities, and continued efforts to strengthen diversity, inclusion, and measurable impact. Funding and long-term commitmentFor Phase 2 (2027–2031), SOLVE will operate with a total budget of approximately SEK 139.4 million, around 15% higher than in Phase 1. The Swedish Energy Agency contributes SEK 46.5 million, matched by equal contributions from academia and research institutes and from industry and public sector partners.
We warmly thank all
researchers, partners, students, and stakeholders who have contributed to SOLVE so far. We are excited to continue this journey together in Phase 2!
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Save the Date: SOLVE Autumn Conference 2026 The SOLVE Autumn 2026 Internal Conference will take place on 9–10 September 2026, hosted by Mälardalen University in Västerås. The conference will bring together the SOLVE community to reflect on progress and key achievements from Phase 1, share updates across ongoing activities, and look ahead to the next chapter of SOLVE. It will also provide an opportunity for new partners to introduce themselves and get to know each other as we prepare for SOLVE Phase 2 (2027–2031). The event will be combined with a SOLVE PhD School activity. More details, including the programme and registration information, will be shared soon — save the date!
| | | Solar energy in focus at Energimässan 2026Solar power, grid expansion, energy communities and battery development were among the topics discussed at this year’s Energy Fair in Kista. Johan Lindahl from Becquerel Sweden spoke about why solar power has developed so rapidly in Sweden and globally, while Anna Werner, Chair of the SOLVE Programme Board, moderated a political debate on Sweden’s future energy mix. |
Congratulations to Nicklas on His Licentiate Defence On 8 May, SOLVE PhD student Nicklas successfully defended his licentiate thesis on mathematical modelling and simulation for organic photovoltaic materials. His research explores how complex three-dimensional morphologies form in ternary mixtures used in solar cell applications, combining mathematical analysis and GPU-based simulations to better understand structures that influence photovoltaic performance. Congratulations to Nicklas on this achievement! | | | |
Amal Nammouchi Awarded SEB Innovation Scholarship Following PhD Defense
Friday, 27 March 2026, Amal Nammouchi defended her doctoral thesis “ Intelligent Distributed Energy Systems: From Predictive Modeling to Explainable Decision-Making.” Shortly after, Amal was awarded the prestigious SEB Innovation Scholarship for her research-based AI platform, Wattzo, which focuses on improving energy efficiency and optimizing energy use. The scholarship recognizes young entrepreneurs translating academic research into real-world impact and supports the commercialization of innovative, research-driven solutions. Congratulations to Amal on this remarkable achievement and exciting entrepreneurial journey. | | | The Solar Energy Award showcases the future of solar power in Sweden
How is solar power innovation advancing in Sweden? The 2025 Solar Energy Award recognised pioneering initiatives in the sector, with SOLVE Director Marika Edoff serving on the jury.
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Research Spotlight: Majid Salari on Solar Cell Defect DetectionHow can we identify faulty solar cells without shutting down entire solar parks? In a recent interview with Marie Kofod-Hansen from Energiforsk, SOLVE PhD student Majid Salari at Karlstad University shares insights into his research on solar cell interconnection and defect detection. Majid’s work explores how solar cells are connected within modules and how advanced techniques such as daylight photoluminescence could enable fast, non-invasive detection of hidden defects—even under natural sunlight. The research has the potential to improve the monitoring, maintenance, and long-term performance of solar energy systems.
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Getting to Know Our Partners: Energiforsk
As SOLVE enters its next phase, we are pleased to continue our collaboration with Energiforsk, a valued partner since the Centre was established in 2021. Energiforsk plays an important role in helping connect research with real-world energy challenges, ensuring that new knowledge generated within SOLVE can support planning, operation, and decision-making across the energy sector. With SOLVE now continuing into Phase 2 (2027–2031), the collaboration remains an important part of strengthening the link between research, industry, and societal needs.
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