Silicon Photovoltaics
For over ten years now photovoltaics has been experiencing a boom, in particular thanks to the targeted market introduction programs in Japan and Germany. Global installed peak power capacity grew over this period from a few hundred MW to around 10 GW.
More than 90% of the solar cells manufactured today are made from crystalline silicon. Its price-to-performance ratio, long-term stability and reliable potential for further cost reductions indicate that this key player in terrestrial photovoltaics will continue to dominate the market for well beyond the next ten years.
Fraunhofer ISE's research and development activities cover the entire value chain for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, from materials development and crystallization through solar cell development to module technology.