Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Fraunhofer ISE develops mathematical models, sets up computer-based simulations and finds empirical methods for characterizing and testing product properties to ensure the successful, sustainable development of the heat supply market. By presenting our results and by participating in national and international standardization committees, we are able to introduce current developments into the standardization discussion at an early stage. As a result, barriers to market entry can be removed and reduced to a minimum. The objective quantification of product properties also enables targeted product developments. This leads to a high level of reliability and performance as well as a long service life of the products and thus strengthens end customers' confidence in solar thermal technology.
In order to generate market development at a sufficiently high quality level, technical regulations, industry standards and catalogs of requirements are drawn up. On the one hand, these are made visible to end customers in the form of labels or quality certificates. On the other hand, they often serve as proof of compliance with the subsidy criteria against the background of political decisions. The social and economic added value of the products is thus to be ensured by checking a minimum quality.
Such regulations must be regularly adapted to the relevant technical standard and are therefore constantly evolving. Time and again, missing rules have to be bridged in order to pave the way for innovations to enter the established market at an early stage. In order to be able to make a qualified comparison of different technologies or techniques with regard to such innovations, an objective characterization of product properties and performance is necessary. This process often forms the basis for the subsequent creation of industry standards.