CHOSE Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy

What CHOSE Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy does

CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy) is a university-affiliated research center founded in 2006 by the Lazio Region and the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where it operates within the Department of Electronic Engineering. The center conducts applied research in next-generation photovoltaics, with a technology portfolio spanning perovskite solar cells and modules (achieving 17% efficiency on 43 cm2 with 90% retention after 800 hours of thermal stress at 85°C), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with up to 3.9% efficiency at 30% geometric transparency, organic photovoltaics (OPV) reaching 7.82% PCE with 36.34% Average Chlorophyll Transmittance, and graphene-integrated modules (12.6% efficiency on 50 cm2). The center also holds the world-record 26.3% perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell efficiency (published in Joule with ENEA), and has extended into bioelectronic devices including the BIOPIX artificial retina sensor (published in Advanced Materials Technologies, 2026) and a bio-photoelectrolytic platform demonstrated to inhibit cancer cell proliferation by 50%.

CHOSE's business model is grant- and project-driven rather than commercial. Revenue streams include EU Framework Programme funding (FP7, H2020) through consortia such as Graphene Flagship, ESPResSo (€5M in 2018), CHEOPS, and EPKI; regional grants from Lazio Region and Lazio Innova (including €49,520 for the BIOVOLTAICO project in 2021); national research funding; industry collaborations (e.g., Global Solar Fund, Intellienergia); educational income from the Master in Photovoltaic Engineering (MIF) program run jointly with FREEnergy; and technology transfer via three spin-off companies (Dyers srl, Ingem srl, Tiberlab srl). The center serves academic and institutional research partners, European Commission programs, and selected industrial collaborators in energy, agriculture, IoT, and aerospace. Distribution of outputs occurs through peer-reviewed scientific publications (300+ authored/coauthored by Director Aldo Di Carlo), conference presentations, the ISOPHOS International School, the Contamination Lab entrepreneurship platform, and spin-off commercialization channels rather than traditional commercial sales.

Name

CHOSE Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy

Legal name

CHOSE - Polo Solare Organico della Regione Lazio

Website

https://chose.uniroma2.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CHOSE is a university-affiliated photovoltaic research center at the University of Rome Tor Vergata developing perovskite, DSSC, OPV, and graphene-integrated solar cells, plus bioelectronic devices, funded primarily through EU and regional grants and spin-off technology transfer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Research & Photovoltaics

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Next-Gen Photovoltaics R&D (Perovskite, Tandem, Organic, BIPV Materials) (EUAMAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO)

Keywords

• Thin-film photovoltaics
• Perovskite solar cells
• Dye-sensitized solar cells
• Organic photovoltaics
• Photovoltaic research

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Funding and Grants: CHOSE operates primarily through publicly funded research projects including European Framework Programmes (FP7, H2020), regional funding from Lazio Region and Lazio Innova, and national research grants. Revenue comes from project consortia such as Graphene Flagship, ESPResSo, CHEOPS, and EPKI.
2. Educational Programs: The center runs a Master in Photovoltaic Engineering (MIF - Master di II livello in Ingegneria del Fotovoltaico) in collaboration with University of Rome Tor Vergata and FREEnergy association.
3. Research Collaborations and Consultancy: Industry collaborations with companies such as Global Solar Fund for coating technologies, and participation in spin-off activities including Dyers srl, Ingem srl, and Tiberlab srl.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CHOSE conducts applied research and prototype development in third-generation photovoltaics — perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and organic photovoltaics — as well as bioelectronic devices and IoT electronics. It operates large-area fabrication facilities (CHOSE Lab, ARES pilot line) and offers postgraduate training through a Master's in Solar Energy Engineering and PhD programs. Its outputs include scientific publications, patented technologies, and technology transfer to industrial partners.

Product overview

CHOSE (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy) is a research center founded in 2006 by the Lazio Region and University of Rome Tor Vergata. It operates as a research excellence center rather than a commercial product company. CHOSE's technology portfolio centers on next-generation photovoltaics including perovskite solar cells and modules (achieving up to 17% efficiency with advanced stability), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), organic photovoltaics (OPV), and graphene-enhanced solar technologies. Beyond photovoltaics, CHOSE develops bioelectronic devices including the BIOPIX artificial retina (biohybrid image sensor), bio-photoelectrolytic platforms for cell behavior control, and inkjet-printed artificial retina models. Specialized applications include indoor solar cells for IoT, agrivoltaic greenhouse systems, and flexible/substrate-independent photovoltaics. The center also advances thermoelectric materials and printable electronics. Research outputs include publications, collaborative projects (EU-funded including ESPREsSO, CHEOPS, Graphene Flagship), and educational programs including the Master in Photovoltaic Engineering (MIF).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master in Solar Energy Engineering A postgraduate Master's program in Solar Energy Engineering co-organized by CHOSE and the University of Rome Tor Vergata, providing advanced training in photovoltaics and solar energy engineering for engineers and graduates.
• Collaborative R&D in Perovskite Solar Cells Applied research and prototype development of single-junction and tandem perovskite/silicon solar cells, delivered as collaborative R&D projects with industrial and academic partners.
• Collaborative R&D in Dye-Sensitized and Organic Solar Cells (DSSC/OPV) Applied research on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) and organic photovoltaics (OPV), executed through CHOSE's research programs with partner organizations.
• Bioelectronic Devices and IoT Electronics Research Research and development of bioelectronic devices and energy-aware IoT electronics, carried out within CHOSE's broader research portfolio.
• CHOSE Lab Large-Area Deposition Facility Access Access to CHOSE Lab's large-area deposition and characterization infrastructure, supporting prototype fabrication and qualification of photovoltaic devices for research and industrial partners.
• ARES 3D-Printed Tandem Solar Cell Pilot Line Pilot-scale facility for 3D-printed tandem solar cell fabrication, located at the Lazio Region Technological District and operated in connection with CHOSE, supporting scale-up of perovskite and hybrid PV technologies.
• PhD Research Program in Photovoltaics PhD-level research training in photovoltaics and hybrid solar energy, hosted by CHOSE in collaboration with the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Quantifiable outcome

• 26.3% efficiency achieved with perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (record)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• European Perovskite Initiative (EPKI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2019European initiative for development of perovskite-based solar technology, bringing together leading European research institutions.
• ESPResSo ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2018Efficient Structures and Processes for Reliable Perovskite Solar Modules - EU-funded project. Partners include IMEC, EPFL, CNR, Fraunhofer ISE, CSGI, University of Cyprus, and Saule Technologies.
• Lazio RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of CHOSE in 2006. Provides ongoing regional funding and support through Lazio Innova for research projects including COPPER, SIROH, and BIOVOLTAICO projects.
• University of Rome Tor VergatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of CHOSE and host institution. CHOSE is part of the Department of Electronic Engineering. Collaboration on educational programs including Master in Photovoltaic Engineering.
• Graphene Flagship / University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Graphene Cambridge Center under EU Graphene Flagship project, led by Prof. Andrea C. Ferrari. Developed first DSSC module with graphene-printed interconnects increasing PCE by 12%.
• Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on graphene-perovskite modules presented at Mobile World Congress. Joint development of spray coating processes for TiO2 mesoporous layers. Collaboration on printable thermoelectric devices.
• Fraunhofer InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on encapsulation systems for flexible and glass-based perovskite solar cells. Joint research on ultra-thin glass substrates for indoor flexible PV. Participation in CHEOPS project.
• ENEAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell achieving 26.3% efficiency, published in Joule journal.
• NUST MISIS (Russia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on MXene materials for perovskite solar cells, published in Nature Materials. Demonstrated improved charge collection with 2D titanium carbide.
• Global Solar Fund (GSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on coating technology that reduces panel temperature by 1-5°C, improving energy yield.
• IntellienergiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in BIOVOLTAICO project for agrivoltaic applications. CHOSE is co-beneficiary with CREA and Bassano Natura.
• CREA - Consiglio per la ricerca in agricolturaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-beneficiary in BIOVOLTAICO project for agricultural applications of semi-transparent PV.
• FREEnergy AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Master in Photovoltaic Engineering (MIF) program.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Greatcell Solar (formerly Dyesol): Australia-listed perovskite and DSSC technology company; comparable to CHOSE in DSSC and emerging perovskite stack research, with a commercial orientation.
• Oxford PV: UK/German perovskite-silicon tandem commercialization leader; competing in the same tandem efficiency and module-manufacturing space where CHOSE holds record lab results.
• Solaronix: Swiss company specializing in DSSC materials and modules; overlaps directly with CHOSE's DSSC research line and is a potential commercialization counterpart.
• Saule Technologies: Polish perovskite startup focused on inkjet-printed flexible perovskite PV; ESPREsSO consortium partner with CHOSE. Represents a commercial-track peer translating similar perovskite research into products.

Broad incumbents

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): US national lab that sets perovskite efficiency benchmarks and operates consortia analogous to CHOSE's ESPREsSO; same scientific peer community and competing for record-setting publications.

Direct peers

• CSEM (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology): Swiss applied research center; the European Commission recognized CSEM alongside CHOSE as the only two Key Market Players in perovskite solar cells. Both operate as publicly-funded R&D centers translating next-gen PV research into industrializable tech.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE): Germany's leading solar energy research institute; CHOSE collaborates with Fraunhofer ISE on encapsulation and CHEOPS, and both pursue perovskite/silicon tandem efficiency records at lab and module scale.
• IMEC: Belgium-based nanoelectronics and PV research center; ESPREsSO consortium partner of CHOSE, both working on scalable perovskite module fabrication and stability.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB): Operates one of Europe's premier perovskite and tandem PV research groups; competing for record cell efficiencies in the same journals (Joule, Nature Energy) and EU consortia as CHOSE.
• Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL): Hosts one of Europe's strongest perovskite PV groups; ESPREsSO partner and a frequent co-author/publisher alongside CHOSE in perovskite and OPV research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chose.polosolareorganico
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chose-uniroma2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CHOSE Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy