Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
At Fraunhofer ISE research is performed on Perovskite and Organic Photovoltaics: Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules, Organic Solar Cells and Modules as well as Perovskite Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics.
With these new technologies, we aim to open up new potential for optimization in photovoltaics and thus reduce electricity generation costs.
This includes increasing the efficiency of conventional solar cells made of crystalline silicon using advanced photon management to improve the absorption and reflection properties.
Approaches using alternative processes and materials are also part of our work. Dye and organic solar cells, for example, have lower efficiencies than conventional cells yet are much cheaper to manufacture. Our research in organic solar cells focuses on the fundamental properties of selective contacts. We are investigating the realization of contacts that are extremely thin and made of cost-effective starting materials which remain stable over a long period of time. Together with industry partners, Fraunhofer ISE develops stable coating and encapsulation processes on their in-house roll-to-roll coating unit.
In our research on perovskite solar cells, we are working to improve the stability. Our long-standing experience with upscaling dye solar modules serves us well here.
Tandem silicon solar cells enable us to use the solar spectrum more effectively by reducing the thermalization losses. We at Fraunhofer ISE are researching different sub-cell concepts for these solar cells.
In the past years, the cost of photovoltaics has fallen rapidly. Today the cost of electricity production from solar PV modules has become so low that PV is now cost competitive with fossil fuel energy sources. This became possible through the successful transfer of R&D results to the practice and also due to the fast expansion of silicon photovoltaic production capacity over the past years. Up to now the primary focus has been on cost reduction, while sustainability aspects have remained in the background. There still exists room for improvement in optimizing the energy and material consumption during production. Research work that focuses on saving resources and fosters the future local production of photovoltaics is now in demand.