The application and the development of the sol-gel chemistry routes represent one of the most important achievements of the program. The sol-gel chemistry routes have been used in the Laboratory for Spectroscopy of Materials already in 1990 mainly as a cheap and efficient alternative route for making thin films with optical quality. Great number of different electrochromic films have been synthesized since then justifying the efforts spent for the research. In the period between 1999-2003 we expanded our research on the sol-gel nanocomposites. Gel or semi solid state electrolytes having redox (I-/I3-), proton and lithium conductivity were developed and applied for making variety of devices: hybrid electrochromic cells, photoelectrochromic cells and dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells of the Graetzel type. Mastering the sol-gel chemistry had an important impact on the University programs and attracted new students to work on the sol-gel chemistry in the Laboratory for Spectroscopy of materials. The bridge in the understanding of the sol-gel chemistry between the undergraduate courses and the research studies has been established. The development of new paints for solar absorbers represents another issue, which has the impact on the technology level in Slovenia. Our participation in EU projects - four in the last five years - oriented research done in the frame of this Program to the development of the spectrally selective paints for solar absorbers. Strong collaboration with Color paint factory resulted in the fabrication or variety of new paints having different shades of colours (blue, green, red, etc.) but their high photothermal conversion efficiency was retained by the use of the colored metallic pigments. These types of paints are new on the European market and will undoubtedly open wider use of the collector systems suitable for building facades.