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 business areas of Photovoltaics, Energy Efficient Buildings, Solar Thermal Power Plants and Industrial Processes, Hydrogen Technologies and Electrical Energy Storage as well as Power Electronics, Grids and Smart Systems, 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.

 

Fraunhofer ISE - Newsletter

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Paths to a Climate-Neutral Energy System

The German Energy Transition in its Social Context

Current Press Releases

 

Press Release #11 / 14.2.2023

Novel heat-transfer medium and air wall increase efficiency of solar thermal tower power plants

The HelioGLOW collaborative project investigated a novel ceramic heat-transfer medium including power plant design and air wall for the thermal insulation of the receiver. 

 

Press Release #10 / 17.2.2023

Low Exergy Concepts for the Heat Supply of Existing Multifamily Houses

In the project "LowEx in the Building Stock," solutions for heat pump, heat transfer and ventilation systems in retrofitted multifamily buildings were analyzed, developed and demonstrated

 

 

Press Release #9 / 6.3.2023

Fraunhofer researchers hand over mobile medical care platform to NGO

Fraunhofer IST and ISE, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), have developed a mobile medical care platform.

 

Press Release #08 / 1.3.2023

Prof. Dr. Adolf Goetzberger, Founder of Fraunhofer ISE Has Died

He has passed away on February 24, 2023 at the age of 94.

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News and Events

 

Trade Fairs, Conferences and Workshops

17.3.2023

New IEA Task: Identifying Sustainable and Economical Heating Technologies

An increasing number of consumers and investors seek heating systems that are both sustainable and economical. Up to now, an international data and evaluation basis across all heating technologies has not been available, thus prohibiting a valid ecological and economic assessment of the available technologies. Such information is essential for manufacturers to carry out sustainable product development and also for selecting the optimal combination of different heating technologies. The international working group "Task 71- Life Cycle and Cost Assessment for Heating and Cooling Technologies" within the “Solar Heating and Cooling” program of the International Energy Agency now intends to close this gap by not only providing a methodology for comparison as well as uniform data formats but also by presenting reference heating systems and scenarios for different countries worldwide.
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16.2.2023

Hydrogen from Australia to Germany via Rotterdam: Fraunhofer ISE and Port of Rotterdam Jointly Sign Letter of Intent

In the presence of the German Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, a delegation from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Port of Rotterdam Authority jointly signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on site in Rotterdam to start a research collaboration on hydrogen and hydrogen derivatives. This new collaboration complements the Port of Rotterdam's cooperation with its partners in Australia. With this tri-national cooperation, all partners will work together to create the conditions for a hydrogen supply chain between Western Australia and Germany via the port of Rotterdam.
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15.2.2023

Electric Truck with Integrated Photovoltaics Passes Practical Test Phase

Vehicle-integrated photovoltaics (VIPV) is an elegant way to harvest solar power independent of the grid and to simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions, especially for electric vehicles. In the Lade-PV research project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE worked with industrial partners to develop a high-voltage photovoltaic (PV) system and integrate it into the roof of an electric truck. The Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI created a digital twin to carry out comprehensive energy forecasts of the PV-integrated truck. After 12 months in operation for the logistics company Alexander Bürkle GmbH, it is now clear that the 18-ton truck and its 3.2 kilowatt-peak photovoltaic system have passed the practical test.
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14.2.2023

Fraunhofer ISE To Support PV Module Manufacturer Emmvee with New Solar Cell Production Line

Emmvee Group, a global manufacturer and supplier of PV modules based in India, has signed a contact with the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems ISE, the largest solar research institute in Europe. The contract appoints Fraunhofer ISE as Emmvee’s solar technology partner for its upcoming solar cell manufacturing facility near Bangalore. The collaboration aims to set up a 1.50 gigawatt monocrystalline PERC solar cell production facility with an upgrade to TOPCon solar cells down the line.
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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.

Episode 12 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings I Marek Miara / 20.5.2021

How do we get more heat pumps in existing buildings?

Episode 11 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings I Marek Miara / 7.5.2021

Can heat pumps only be used in one- and two-family houses?

Episode 10 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings | Marek Miara / 29.4.2021

Is it better to combine a heat pump with fossil heating in some cases?

Episode 9 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings | Marek Miara / 24.2.2021

Is it worth waiting for technological developments before switching to a heat pump?

Episode 8 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings | Marek Miara / 14.4.2021

Isn’t heating with heat pumps too expensive?

Episode 7 of a series on heat pumps in existing buildings | Marek Miara / 24.3.2021

How ecological are heat pumps in existing buildings?