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 -
Annual Report 2022/23

[PDF  18,2 MB]

 

Fraunhofer ISE - Newsletter

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

Current Press Releases

 

Press Release #25 / 4.9.2023

Fraunhofer ISE Study: Where Germany’s imports for hydrogen and Power-to-X products could come from

On behalf of the H2Global Foundation, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has examined 39 regions in 12 countries preselected by H2Global to determine where the production of Power-to-X (PtX) products, in conjunction with transport to Germany, would be most cost-effective by 2030.

 

Press Release #24 / 23.8.2023

Solar cells integrated into car hoods

Researchers at Fraunhofer  ISE have integrated solar cells into the standard sheet metal hood of a regular passenger car. Coupled with the research institute’s MorphoColor® technology, the solar-active surface can be color-matched to that of the vehicle.

 

 

Press Release #18 / 12.5.2023

German Net Power Generation in First Half of 2023: Record Renewable Energy Share of 57.7 Percent

Renewable generation in the first half of 2023, with a share of 57.7 percent of the net electricity geration for public power supply was significantly higher than in 2022. 

 

Press Release #22 / 20.6.2023

Heat Pumps in Single-Family Houses: Fraunhofer ISE Develops Optimized Propane Refrigeration Circuit

Fraunhofer ISE has developed a functional model of a refrigeration circuit using propane, a climate-friendly refrigerant.

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News and Events

 

Trade Fairs, Conferences and Workshops

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

18.9.2023

Laboratory cell demonstrates the huge potential of perovskite-based triple-junction solar cells

Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells achieve efficiencies of over 30 percent and are frontrunners for the next generation of solar cells. A research team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has now been able to demonstrate that triple-junction solar cells consisting of perovskite-perovskite-silicon subcells also hold considerable promise and have an even greater efficiency potential than double-junction tandem cells. As part of the Triumph research project funded by the European Commission and the RIESEN research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the team developed a triple-junction solar cell with an open-circuit voltage of over 2.8 volts. This record figure confirms that the cell has excellent material properties for generating electricity, leading the scientists to deduce that it has an efficient solar cell architecture.
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31.8.2023

Fraunhofer ISE To Support Setup of PV Production Site in France

HoloSolis SAS, a company founded in 2022 by EIT InnoEnergy, IDEC GROUP and TSE, plans to build a production line for both PV solar cells and modules. The new company will be located close to the French-German border in the district of Sarreguemines. The factory aims to start production in 2025 and, at full capacity, will have a production capacity of five gigawatts per year. Based on a strategic collaboration agreement signed this summer, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE will support HoloSolis in the technology selection and factory planning during the conceptual design and construction phases.
more info

14.8.2023

Efficient Mass Production of Fuel Cells

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE are currently optimizing the large-scale production of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Within the joint project "TiKaBe", innovative catalyst inks for use in different industrial coating processes are being developed. In a second re-search project called "BI-FIT", the focus is on shortening and simplifying the break-in procedure, during which the initial conditioning of fuel cells takes place. The researchers will be presenting current insights into their work at the international expo and conference hy-fcell from September 13-14, 2023 in Stuttgart. At Booth 4D55, the institute will be showing membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for heavy-duty applications as well as work on cell compo-nent characterization and lifetime testing.
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