Christophe Ballif bridges research and industry for a solar and sustainable transition
To celebrate 15 years of commitment to sustainable innovation, CleantechAlps is launching the “15 Years – 15 Faces” initiative, highlighting individuals who are shaping Switzerland’s cleantech ecosystem. Among them, Christophe Ballif exemplifies the unique link between fundamental research, applied innovation, and industrialization in a key area of the energy transition: photovoltaics.
Since 2013, Christophe Ballif has simultaneously led the Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory at EPFL and the Sustainable Energy Center at CSEM, bringing together some 130 employees in Neuchâtel. This dual position gives him a unique ability to connect academic research with industrial development. “Many ideas born at EPFL can transition quickly to industry thanks to CSEM.” CSEM drives industrial projects with robust technology platforms in solar energy, coatings, batteries, digitalization, and component reliability.
But for Christophe Ballif, a technology’s success doesn’t rest solely on its scientific merits—it also depends heavily on the political context. “A few lines in a regulation can create or destroy entire markets.” This is why training the next generation to combine technical excellence with an understanding of geopolitical dynamics and mastery of modern tools like artificial intelligence and data analysis is so crucial.
While Christophe Ballif recognizes Switzerland’s exceptional innovation capacity, he regrets its hesitancy in scaling up. “We are often too slow. And the cancellation of the Confederation’s Pilot and Demonstration programs is a serious setback.” To accelerate progress, he advocates for strong incentives for private investment and a bolder national policy on energy innovation.
A dynamic but fragile Swiss solar and battery sector
According to Christophe Ballif, the Swiss solar sector is highly diversified. On one side, a vibrant ecosystem of innovative companies is developing in niche segments: building-integrated photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, specialized components, software, solar watch sensors, and more. On the other side, mass production remains largely out of reach due to China’s overwhelming investment power. “We won’t be able to compete on volume, but when it comes to specialization, we have a real role to play.”
He sees a similar situation in energy storage. The battery sector is growing rapidly, and Switzerland has major strengths in R&D, specialized production, and system integration. “The innovation potential is enormous. That’s why CSEM launched the Battery Innovation Hub in Neuchâtel, combining pilot lines, a dry room, and smart energy management technologies. The goal: to create more sustainable systems, better integrated into the grid, with reduced environmental impact.”
In Christophe Ballif’s view, Switzerland remains an exceptional environment for thinking, testing, and prototyping. “But we must not get complacent. We need to keep preparing for the future—especially by supporting innovation at all levels.”
He believes CleantechAlps has a structuring role to play in this ecosystem. Looking ahead to 2030, he envisions the platform as “the most useful and unifying in the country,” supporting a network of strong companies, a progressive domestic market, an engaged government, and international recognition that matches its ambitions.
Committing to cleantech: a necessity and a meaningful choice
To young researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are hesitant to dive into cleantech, Christophe Ballif sends a clear message: “It’s an excellent choice—useful, just, and profoundly meaningful.” But Christophe Ballif doesn’t hide the difficulty of the journey: “You have to fight against misconceptions, lobbies, and fierce competition. It takes endurance—and a solid patent portfolio.”
Clear-eyed yet deeply optimistic, Christophe Ballif continues to believe in the power of collective action, knowledge, and scaling up to make Switzerland a country of impact in the energy transition.
Additional information: Énergie | Industries | , CSEM’s Specialized domains and technical proficiencies, Photovoltaics and Thin Film Electronics Laboratory ‐ EPFL CSEM
Christophe Ballif’s favorite quote
« The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. »
– Mahatma Gandhi
“This quote is even more relevant today, with renewable energy, batteries, and smart energy management,” notes Christophe Ballif.
A key player in Switzerland’s energy innovation landscape
Christophe Ballif is Director of the Photovoltaics and Thin-Film Electronics Laboratory at EPFL and of the Sustainable Energy Center at CSEM—two leading institutions based in Neuchâtel. Positioned at the crossroads of fundamental research and industrialization, he works daily to bring forth better-performing, more sustainable solar and storage technologies, more seamlessly integrated into modern energy systems.
Christophe Ballif is recognized as a central figure in the Swiss cleantech ecosystem, actively contributing to the development of competitive national sectors and building tangible bridges between science, industry, and public policy.
The 15-year anniversary concept
For the past 15 years, CleantechAlps has been committed to advancing its vision and connecting talents, stakeholders and solutions that drive the transition toward a more sustainable future in Western Switzerland. To mark this anniversary, we wish to highlight the individuals who bring our ecosystem to life every day — through their projects, their dedication and their vision.
“15 Years – 15 Faces” features fifteen personalities, fifteen journeys, fifteen voices that embody cleantech. From technology to policy, from research to industry, from local to international — these women and men are building, each in their own way, the cleantech solutions of today and tomorrow. Through their stories, we share with you the successes to which CleantechAlps has contributed — notably by serving as a facilitator of connections, dialogue, and collaboration. Discover their passion. Their inspiration. And their vision for a more sustainable future.
