Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
We develop, design and manufacture various system applications for collectors on request. Our applications for providing source temperature for the evaporators of heat pumps and concentrating collectors for higher application temperatures are just two examples of our activities in a broad field of research.
The focus of our expertise is primarily on photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors. We also specialize in air-heating collectors, façade-integrated collectors and concentrating collectors.
We improve concentrating and non-concentrating collectors and develop new product concepts for solar thermal energy. Alternative manufacturing processes and materials offer the opportunity to realize innovative absorber designs. With the bionic FracTherm® process developed by us, it is possible to create channel structures on almost any surface while achieving low pressure losses and a uniform flow. Heat pipes represent a new approach to efficient heat transfer from the absorber to the heat transfer medium.
Multifunctional collectors open up new possibilities on the solar thermal market. For example, we are developing cross-sector collectors with additional functions such as partial transparency, sun protection, glare protection, statics or architectural design options. Photovoltaic-thermal collectors enable simultaneous electricity and heat generation within a single component.
For technology development, we use our expertise in solar cells, module and collector technology as well as thermal and electrical measurement. Solar air collectors are an interesting alternative to water-based systems, which we compare and optimize through measurement and simulation. We also use optical simulations to improve and develop static and tracking concentrating collectors.