About SolTech

SolTech is an interdisciplinary project initiated by the government of Bavaria to explore innovative concepts for converting solar energy into electricity and non-fossil fuels. SolTech complements research by chemists and physicists at five different Bavarian Universities and is funded with 50 million Euro. 
Humanity will exhaust the earth’s supply of fossil fuels in the foreseeable future. Non-fossil energy sources, such as sunlight, cannot yet replace current fossil and nuclear fuels on a satisfactory level. Chemists and physicists of five Bavarian universities  (Key Laboratories) joined together in the state funded new research network Solar Technologies go Hybrid (SolTech) to synergize their research and explore the full use of sunlight as the principal energy source of our planet. 
The SolTech network covers all fields of research on solar energy use, i.e. the conversion of solar energy to electricity for immediate use and the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy  for storage and future use.

Students benefit from the new network

New research methods and insights into the chemistry and physics of photoactive materials are naturally integrated into teaching. Lectures and courses  covering the forefront of solar technology research enable students to not only learn from the best, but also to do their share for a reliable energy supply as future scientists.

Latest News

9. October 2023

12th SolTech Conference in Würzburg 2023

Within the Bavarian research network “Solar Technologies go hybrid” (in short “SolTech), KeyLabs at the universities of Bayreuth, Erlangen, Würzburg, and the two Munich universities LMU and TUM combine their respective specific expertise in materials and processes for "solar energy conversion". The network is generously funded by the Free State of Bavaria and supports in particular young scientists and students toward a future career as...
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12. June 2023

SolTech Student Board Meeting 2023

This year, the KeyLab at the University of Würzburg is responsible for the organization of the Bavarian research network on “Solar Technologies Go Hybrid”. In this framework the annual meeting of the student board took place in Würzburg on May 31 and June 1. We had the pleasure of welcoming a diverse and international group of young researchers from all five KeyLabs to this event....
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Latest Press Releases

25. April 2023

Fortschritt für den Klimaschutz: Weitere 1,7 Millionen Euro für Forschungsprogramm zu erneuerbaren Energien

Das Forschungsprogramm „Solar Technologies go Hybrid“ wird mit 1,7 Millionen Euro weiterhin vom Freistaat Bayern gefördert. Insgesamt wurde es bisher mit 70 Millionen Euro gefördert. Nun geht es darum, aus Kohlendioxid synthetische Brennstoffe zu erzeugen. Laut Wissenschaftsminister Blume sind Investitionen in Fortschritt die beste Klimaschutz-Strategie. Um zu dem kompletten Artikel des Bayerischen Staatsministeriums für Wissenschaft und Kunst zu gelangen, klicken Sie bitte hier. Wasserstoff gewinnen,...
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5. October 2022

Künstliches Enzym spaltet Wasser

Auf dem Weg zur sonnenlichtgetriebenen Produktion von Wasserstoff ist ein Fortschritt gelungen. Ein Team aus der Chemie präsentiert einen enzymähnlichen molekularen Katalysator für die Wasseroxidation. Enzym-ähnliche Wasserorganisation vor einem Ruthenium-Wasseroxidations-Katalysator. (Bild: Team Würthner) Die Menschheit steht vor einer zentralen Herausforderung: Sie muss den Übergang zu einer nachhaltigen und kohlendioxidneutralen Energiewirtschaft bewältigen. Wasserstoff gilt als vielversprechende Alternative zu fossilen Brennstoffen. Er lässt sich unter Einsatz von...
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23. October 2019

Energy Flow in the Nano Range

10/18/2019 It is crucial for photovoltaics and other technical applications how efficiently energy spreads in a small volume. With new methods, the path of energy in the nanometer range can now be followed precisely. Energy transport in biomimetic nanotubes (left) and a three-dimensional spectrum (right). (Image: Björn Kriete (l.) / Stefan Mueller (r.)) Plants and bacteria lead the way: They can capture the energy of...
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Latest Events

17. January 2024

Mini-Symposium “SolTech Meets Industry” 2024

The next "SolTech Meets Industry" mini-symposium will take place in Nuremberg on Wednesday, 10 April 2024. Alumni of the SolTech initiative will give presentations to PhD students and postdocs about their career paths in industry. There will also be an opportunity for personal networking.

3. July 2023

12th SolTech Conference 2023

The 12th SolTech Conference 2023 will take place from October 3 - 5, 2023 at the Hotel Melchior Park in Würzburg. 1st Announcement Preliminary Program (as of September 15, 2023)

22. July 2022

11th SolTech Conference 2022

The 11th SolTech Conference 2022 will take place from October 10 - 13, 2022 at the LMU City Campus in Munich. 1st Announcement Preliminary Program (as of September 29, 2022)