The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas: defence and security, low carbon energies (nuclear and renewable energies), technological research for industry, fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.​ The CEA-Liten division is dedicated to the energy transition. Its activities focus on several key areas: solar energy, smart grid management, batteries storage and hydrogen with the view to improving energy efficiency and circular economy approach. Liten research on the INES (France’s solar energy research institute) campus covers the entire PV component value chain, from material and cell to module and system. With a focus on silicon technology, Liten is addressing not only conversion yields, but also cost and lifespan, which are vital inputs into the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Liten has obtained state-of-the-art performance on industrial-scale equipment, making it one of the world’s leading centers for high-efficiency PV research. Currently, the goal is to reach 25% on silicon and, ultimately, 30% with tandem technologies.