Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

R&D for Energy Transition

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany is the largest solar research institute in Europe. With a staff of about 1400, we are committed to promoting a sustainable, economic, secure and socially just energy supply system based on renewable energy sources. We contribute to this through our main research areas of energy provision, energy distribution, energy storage and energy utilization. Through outstanding research results, successful industrial projects, spin-off companies and global collaborations, we are shaping the sustainable transformation of the energy system.


In the market-oriented business areas of Photovoltaics: Materials, Cells and Modules​, Photovoltaics:​ Production Technology and TransferSolar Power Plants and Integrated PhotovoltaicsElectrical Energy​ StoragePower Electronics and GridsClimate-Neutral​ Heat and BuildingsHydrogen Technologies as well as System Integration, the Institute develops materials, components, systems and processes. For this purpose, we have an excellent laboratory infrastructure at our disposal. In addition, we perform analyses, carry out studies, provide consultations and offer our clients testing and certification procedures. Fraunhofer ISE is certified according to the quality management standard DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and according to the standard DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 for energy management.

 

Fraunhofer ISE -
Annual Report 2023/24

[PDF  15.7 MB]

 

Fraunhofer ISE - Newsletter

You are interested in up-to-date information on our R&D activities?

Current Press Releases

 

Press Release #08 / 12.3.2024

Fraunhofer Spin-off S Mile Solutions: Help for the Last Mile in the Sub-Saharan Region

The Fraunhofer spin-off "S Mile Solutions (Pty) Ltd” provides smart, small-scale and off-grid infrastructure solutions for rual areas in Africa. 

 

Press Release #7 / 27.2.2024

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Visits Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg today. At Europe's largest solar research institute, he informed himself about new technologies for energy-efficient buildings and climate-neutral housing. 

 

Press Release #06 / 20.2.2024

From Concept to Small Batch: Technology Development Center Brings PV Modules to Market Readiness

Today, the institute opened its newly organized and expanded technology evaluation center Module-TEC with an area of 1,000 square meters. 

 

 

Press Release #04 / 31.1.2024

Oxford PV and Fraunhofer ISE Develop Full-sized Tandem PV Module with Record Efficiency of 25 Percent

With an efficiency of 25 percent and an output of 421 watts on an area of 1.68 square meters, it is the world's most efficient silicon perovskite tandem solar module in industrial format. 

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News and Events

 

Trade Fairs, Conferences and Workshops

19.12.2023

Laser Processing System for Large-Format Wafers Combines High-Throughput and Precision

Every day several million silicon wafers are being produced worldwide for the photovoltaic industry, and the demand is rising sharply. At the same time, the industry is increasingly switching to large wafer formats with an edge length of up to 210 mm. Processing these wafers to produce large-format solar cells with at least the same quality and cycle rate as conventionally sized solar cells presents equipment manufacturers with new challenges, especially for laser processing. To ensure that this processing step does not become a bottleneck in the future, a research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a novel system concept with industrial partners, which relies on the clever combination of On-the-Fly processing with ultra-fast scanning technology and lasers, high-end optics and sensor technology. Following the successful demonstration of the first system prototype in 2022, which achieved an effective throughput of over 15,000 wafers per hour, a second prototype that uses UV light to create particularly small structures is now in use at Fraunhofer ISE.
more info

13.12.2023

Research on large-scale production of green hydrogen carriers in Chile

Several Fraunhofer institutes and facilities, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and other partners, are working to establish the large-scale production of green hydrogen and its derivatives in Chile. The core of the project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), is to research the potential for the production of hydrogen and liquid fuels from solar energy. In addition to the technical issues, the project partners are also investigating the economic, logistical, and socio-economic aspects. They are also supporting the installation of a pilot facility for the production of climate-neutral methanol and dimethyl ether in Chile.
more info

23.11.2023

Oliver Höhn Receives 2.7 Million Euro Grant from the European Research Council

Dr. Oliver Höhn, researcher at the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). With the sum of two million euros and funding for a plasma etching system for semiconductor materials in groups III and V of the periodic table, the ERC grant will support Höhn in his research on highly efficient solar cells over the next five years as of 2024. Across Europe, 2130 scientists applied for this year’s ERC call for proposals.
more info

22.9.2023

Silicon-based Multijunction Solar Cell Reaches Record Efficiency of 36.1 Percent

A team of researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Research ISE and NWO-Institute AMOLF (Amsterdam) have fabricated a multijunction solar cell with an efficiency of 36.1 percent, the highest efficiency ever reached for a solar cell based on silicon. The team presented the new record at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference (EU PVSEC) in Lisbon on Thursday, September 21, 2023. The research project was funded through the Fraunhofer ICON program.
more info

Current Posts from "Innovation4E", the Research Blog of Fraunhofer ISE

 

Scientific Blog of Fraunhofer ISE

Innovation4E

We want to share our expertise with you. The scientific blog of Fraunhofer ISE  »Innovation4E« offers a platform for information and exchange.

Research Blog of Fraunhofer ISE

Innovation4E

We want to share our expertise with you. The research blog of Fraunhofer ISE  »Innovation4E« offers a platform for information and exchange.

 

Innovation4E in interview with Marek Miara / 18.4.2023

The Heat Pump Ramp-up in Germany: What is Important Now

Innovation4E in interview with Marek Miara / 18.4.2023

The Heat Pump Ramp-up in Germany: What is Important Now

 

Sebastian Kaiser / 8.9.2022

Project „OVRTuere“: Let’s talk over voltage

Sebastian Kaiser / 8.9.2022

Project „OVRTuere“: Let’s talk over voltage

 

8.4.2022

Heat Pumps: Economic Consideration of Operating Costs, a New Perspective

Marek Miara / 8.4.2022

Heat Pumps: Economic Consideration of Operating Costs, a New Perspective