Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic technology is an essential component to transform today’s carbon-based energy system into one with its foundations in renewable and sustainable energy sources.

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© Fraunhofer ISE/ Dirk Mahler

Solar Thermal Technology

For the transformation of the thermal energy systems, solar thermal energy is a central component alongside energy efficiency.

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© Fraunhofer ISE

Building Energy Technology

More than 40 % of the end energy demand in most industrial countries is caused by the building sector, thus it has a major role to play in reaching the targets for climate protection.

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© Fraunhofer ISE

Hydrogen Technologies

Hydrogen, produced by electrolysis using electricity from renewable energy sources, can be used according to need across many sectors for a variety of applications; for example, in the sustainable mobility sector for fuel cell vehicles, etc.

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© Fraunhofer ISE/ Joscha Feuerstein

Energy System Technology

Energy system technology, which optimizes the interaction between generators, consumers and their control and addresses the management of energy distribution and storage, is one of the most important areas needing work for the energy transformation.

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© hfzimages/ Shutterstock

R&D for Energy Transition

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE creates the technological foundations for supplying energy efficiently and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialized, threshold and developing countries. With its research focusing on energy conversion, energy efficiency, energy distribution and energy storage, it contributes to the broad application of new technology.



Fraunhofer ISE develops materials, components, systems and processes in five business areas. In addition to its R&D, the institute offers testing and certification procedures. Furthermore, it features an excellent laboratory infrastructure and is certified according to the quality management standard, DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. Founded in 1981, Fraunhofer ISE, with a staff of 1200, is the largest solar research institute in Europe.

Current Press Releases

 

© Solar Business Club

Press Release #4 / 16.1.2019

Eicke R. Weber receives SOLAR FUTURE.TODAY Visionary Influencers Lifetime Achievement Award 2019

Prof. Eicke R. Weber, former director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and Vice President of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) has been awarded the SOLAR FUTURE.TODAY Visionary Influencer Award 2019 in the category Yearly Lifetime Achievement Award. 

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© Fraunhofer ISE

Press Release #3 / 14.1.2019

Fraunhofer ISE at the BAU 2019 in Munich

Digitalization, climate change, resource scarcity and housing shortages are top challenges requiring innovative and sustainable solutions, also from the building industry. The member institutes of the Fraunhofer Building Alliance are performing visionary research to find interdisciplinary solutions and systems for the living spaces of the future. 

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© Fraunhofer ISE

Press Release #2 / 9.1.2019

Adhesive Process Developed for Shingle Cell Technology

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg has developed a special adhesive process to interconnect silicon solar cells for the industrial production of shingle modules. The market demand for shingle modules is rising rapidly due to their high efficiency and pleasing aesthetics.

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© Fraunhofer ISE/ A. Wekkeli

Press Release #1 / 7.1.2019

Photovoltaic Trend: Tandem Solar Cells – Record Efficiency for Silicon-based Multi-junction Solar Cell

After intensive research, scientists at Fraunhofer ISE in cooperation with partners have achieved a new efficiency record of 22.3 percent for a multi-junction solar cell made of silicon and III-V semiconductor materials.

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News and Events

News

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4.1.2019

Renewable Sources Contribute More Than 40 Percent to Germany’s Public Net Electricity Generation in 2018

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have just released their annual assessment on the net electricity generation for Germany’s public power supply in 2018. Based on the production figures, solar energy showed the largest growth at 16 percent, ahead of wind energy with 5.4 percent growth. At the same time, the net electricity generation from coal, gas and hydropower decreased. In 2018, renewable sources accounted for over 40 percent of the public net electricity generation, i.e. the electricity mix fed into the public power grid.
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29.11.2018

NexWafe GmbH Appoints Peter Pauli as New Chairman of the Board

NexWafe, a Fraunhofer ISE spin off company that is industrializing its breakthrough technology for epitaxial fabrication of silicon wafers for solar photovoltaics (PV), today announced the appointment of Peter Pauli as the new chairman of the board as of September 1, 2018. He is succeeding Prof. Dr. Eicke Weber, who served as the chairman for the past two years. The shareholders and board members welcome Peter Pauli in his new position and express gratitude to Prof. Dr. Weber for his valuable contributions. From 2002 to 2016, Peter Pauli was the driving force in developing Meyer Burger Technology.
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22.11.2018

Solutions for Sustainable Cities: Conference URBAN FUTURE

From May 22-24, Oslo is hosting the URBAN FUTURE global conference 2019 – one of the signature events of the Oslo European Green Capital 2019. About 3000 city changers from more than 60 countries will be attending sessions with 200 speakers on urban mobility, built environment, green business & innovation and leadership as well as numerous field trips in and around Oslo. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is an official partner of the conference.
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8.11.2018

MinWaterCSP Provides Technical Solutions for Efficient Water Use in CSP Plants

The international research and development project MinWaterCSP addresses the challenge of reducing the water consumption of CSP plants and improving thermal cycle efficiencies of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants. After three years of work, 13 partners from 6 different EU and non-EU countries have developed new technologies for reducing water consumed for cooling and mirror cleaning. During the 2nd International Conference on the “Reduction of Water consumption in CSP plants” in Stellenbosch, South Africa (7-8 November 2018), the consortium presents its final results.
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BAU Munich

Munich, Germany / 01/14/2019 - 01/19/2019

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PowerSkin Conference 2019

Munich, Germany / 01/17/2019

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E-World energy & water

Essen, Germany / 02/05/2019 - 02/07/2019

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FDFC

International Conference on Fundamentals & Development of Fuel Cells

Nantes, France / 02/12/2019 - 02/14/2019

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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.

New Articles on Innovation4E:

18.12.2018

Clever Structures for Clean Heat – A Closer Look at the Sparkling Star

First of all, we hope the sparkling gold and blue stars on our card put you in a festive mood. Upon a second glance, you may have noticed the metal woven structure on the gold star and detected the vague pipe-like structures on the blue star. What is the significance of these structures and what [...]
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14.12.2018

The »FlexGeber« Project – The ISE Campus Becomes More Energy Efficient

The results of Fraunhofer ISE’s research projects, be it a power plant in Kuwait or a water treatment system in Africa, are often installed at locations far away from Freiburg. The FlexGeber project, however, is being carried out directly on the Fraunhofer ISE campus. In November 2018, tractors started preparing the ground for new heating [...]
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22.10.2018

Collaboration Cluster for Photovoltaic Silicon Material Characterization

The »Collaboration Cluster for Photovoltaic Silicon Material Characterization« is a partnerhship between Fraunhofer ISE, the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The Collaboration Cluster for Photovoltaic Silicon Material Characterization is aiming for a strong partnership of the Fraunhofer ISE with the Universities in Australia, the Australian National University (ANU) [...]
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19.9.2018

Worldwide innovation: A venetian blind that supplies solar thermal energy

A newly developed solar thermal venetian blind uses the heat generated by solar radiation and feeds it via heat pipes to the hot water storage tank of the building. … When you think of solar thermal energy, you think of “black rectangles on the roof”. To date, this has been one barrier to the widespread [...]
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