Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

From May 28 -29, the Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, supported by Austrian Photovoltaics Technology Platform, will host the 2019 SOPHIA workshop “PV-Module Reliability”. The workshop in Graz, Austria, will focus on reliability aspects of innovative materials, developments in modeling and the standardization of lifetime predictions. Experts from research and industry will also discuss the influence of reliability and service life on the sustainability of PV modules with the participants.

Concentrated solar radiation is a very promising renewable energy resource. The best known application is electricity generation in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants, but other applications have also been demonstrated, such as production of solar fuels, water treatment and research in advanced materials. Europe is a leader in research and development of this technology. In line with this development, the European Union is promoting the opening of key Research Infrastructures (RIs) in solar concentrating systems for both academia and industries for carrying out energy and materials research as well as research in other fields using the extreme temperature conditions in solar concentrators. Within the ‘Solar Facilities for the European Research Area Third Phase (SFERA-III)’ Project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE provides access to its laboratories.

To strengthen the partnership in the Collaboration Cluster for Photovoltaic Silicon Material Characterization CCPV, representatives of two Australian elite universities, the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.

The Croatian Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds, Mrs. Gabrijela Žalac, accompanied by the Croatian Ambassador in Germany, Dr. Gordan Grlić, and Consulate General Ivan Sablić visited the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg on 28th and 29th of January 2019. The visit was organized to concretize the cooperation in research and development between the two countries as well as to establish a fully integrated photovoltaic manufacturing line (10GW – GreenFAB) in Croatia in the context of regional development.