Intersolar Europe / The Smarter E 2025

Trade Fair / May 07, 2025 - May 09, 2025

Intersolar Europe / The Smarter E 2025

As the world's leading trade fair for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe reflects the enormous market dynamics of the solar sector. Under the motto “Connecting Solar Business”, it has been networking the key players for over 30 years - from manufacturers, suppliers and dealers to installers, service providers, project developers, planners and start-ups. It focuses on the latest trends, developments and business models.

Intersolar Europe will take place from May 7-9, 2025 at Messe München as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe's largest trade fair alliance for the energy industry.

We will show you our latest developments in the following areas, among others:

Agri-Photovoltaics
Photovoltaics - Materials, Cells and Production Technology
Module Technology
PV Module Quality, Reliability & Characterization
Electrical Energy Storage
Power Electronics

Event details

Contact

Intersolar Europe – Home - Intersolar Europe

Location

Messe Munich
Messegelände
81823 München

Date

May 07, 2025 - May 09, 2025

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Our Topics and Exhibits

Agri-Photovoltaic Model

© Fraunhofer ISE
Agrivoltaics at the Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB), in Bavendorf.

Three different agrivoltaic (agri-PV) systems are shown. Agri-PV systems enable agricultural use either between the rows of PV modules or below the solar modules. The exhibit provides an overview of the structure of such systems. The semi-transparent Agri-PV module enables plants to be protected from hail, frost and heavy rain without reducing the availability of light too much. The transparency is 40 %. The frameless design further increases the availability of light for the plants. The two ground-level Agri-PV systems are installed with opaque, partially bifacial modules. The space-saving east-west elevation in vertical or tracking design enables cultivation with typical agricultural technology.

Research and development services for:

Agricultural businesses
PV system planners and operators
Module and system technology manufacturers

Business Area Agri-Photovoltaics

Agri-PV Lightweight Module

On display is a lightweight photovoltaic module with a weight of 5.26 kg/m². The module is optimized for Agri-PV applications in fruit growing, especially the cultivation of sweet cherries. It consists of a plastic honeycomb core and a front foil. The module size was determined on the basis of a shading analysis so that there is no loss of yield for the covered crop. The module technology can be retrofitted to existing weather protection equipment, so that only minor additional costs are incurred for the substructure.

The modules are attached to the substructure with hook and loop fastener. (besser Velcro?)

Research and development services for:

Agricultural businesses
PV system planners and operators
Module manufacturers

Prototypes for integrated Photovoltaics

Laser-structured Screen Printing Form

A busbarless cell layout was structured on the polyimide (PI) coated screen using a UV laser. Laser structuring of a single screen can be completed in less than 30 minutes, which is significantly faster than conventional methods that require 2-3 hours per screen. Precise cell layouts and fine openings of less than 20 µm are possible. The laser can pattern any barrier layer material, offering flexibility in the lasered screens. Mechanically stronger materials such as PI can be lasered, increasing the lifetime of the patterned screen.

Research and development services for:

Laser processing
Manufacturers of silicon solar cells
Manufacturer of metallization groups
Manufacturer of metallization pastes

Laser and Printing Technologies

Highly Efficient Micro-CPV Concentrator Module

In this module, the light is concentrated via lenses onto very small solar cells (<1mm²). This means that expensive semiconductor material can be saved according to the concentration factor (here 1000x). Due to the lower material input, highly efficient multi-junction solar cells made of III-V semiconductor compounds can be used. III-V solar cells have the highest efficiency in photovoltaics worldwide. We have already measured efficiencies of up to 36 % for the micro-CPV module under standard test conditions for concentrator modules.

Research and development services for:

Power plant and agri-PV operators in sunny regions
Suppliers of components and system technology

Highly Efficient PV Technologies

Perovskite Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics

Perovskite silicon solar cells make it possible to overcome the limiting Auger limit of 29.4 % of single silicon solar cells. At Fraunhofer ISE, we are concentrating in particular on the development of scalable and cost-effective production processes as well as the analysis and performance determination of such solar cells. Exemplary perovskite silicon solar cells, whose industrial implementation is promising, as well as new characterization methods will be exhibited.

Research and development services for:

Solar cell manufacturers
Measurement technology manufacturers
Material manufacturers

Perovskite Silicon Tandem Photovoltaics

Silicon solar cells for the PV industry

We show selected highlights from the field of silicon photovoltaics (Si-PV). Today, Si-PV has by far the largest market share in the industrial production of PV components. The challenges are scaling up to production technology with higher throughputs, lower costs and improved efficiencies, from the wafer to the module.

Among other things, an SHJ solar cell will be on display that was produced with just 1.4 mg/W silver - a good 10 times less than the current state of the art, but without any loss of performance. We will also be presenting silicon solar cells prepared for use in tandem with perovskite, the technology of the future in PV. We will also be presenting our patented approach to edge passivation, which enables several additional watts of power per module and is an important milestone for shingle technology in particular. A matrix shingle PV module with edge passivation can also be found in standard format at the stand.

Research and development services for:

Producers of solar cells and modules
Manufacturers of production machinery
Suppliers of consumables for production

Silicon Solar Cells and Modules

PV Roof Tile Systems

Dachmodul — Solardachmodule mit Morpho-Color®-Farbbeschichtung in einer klassischen Dacheindeckung.

Three roof tile systems with Fraunhofer ISE technology will be exhibited:

1. roof tiles with shingle solar cells and Foilmet® interconnection - The joint development work with the industrial partner on the use of shingle solar cells and Foilmet® technology offer particular advantages for the small format, especially in terms of production.

2. roof tiles with shingle solar cells - here the module design was developed together with our industrial partner and adapted for the shingle matrix technology; small series production is underway at the Module-TEC of Fraunhofer ISE.

3. roof tiles developed from the Baldachin project with curved solar cells, which can be used in curved roofs (here “Frankfurter Pfanne”); curved monocrystalline silicon solar cells are embedded behind the MorphoColor® layer.

The roof tile systems can be produced in a particularly cost-effective and visually appealing way using our technologies.

Research and development services for:

Building owners and developers
Architects

Integrated PV

Power Plant Module with CrossFox Layout

The power plant module with an alternative electrical layout to the conventional butterfly layout (the current industry standard) offers advantages in the area of hotspot and shading resilience, which is particularly advantageous for upcoming perovskite silicon tandem technology. The vertical module design (cell strings parallel to the short module edge) means that more bypass diodes and therefore fewer solar cells are used per bypass diode. The advantages are:

Lower temperatures during shading and hotspots (51 % less heat output in the hotspot)
Potentially higher residual power in the event of shading (20 % higher residual power, 1 % cost saving)
Lower probability of cell breakage with mechanical loads
Module voltage and module current variably adjustable
High flexibility of the external dimensions of a PV module

Research and development services for:

Module manufacturers
EPCs for the optimization of power plants

Module-TEC

Matrix Shingle PV Module

matrix shingle module shaded areas — © Fraunhofer ISE
Left: In the matrix shingle module, the current flows around shaded areas, right: in the conventional module, the current flow is interrupted by shaded areas.

The PV module on display enables the visually appealing integration of photovoltaics into existing structures, e.g. in facades, balcony parapets and roofing. This is of crucial importance in view of the very limited space available in Germany and the increasing social acceptance for the further expansion of photovoltaics.

With matrix shingle technology, the solar cells are arranged in the form of a masonry structure, slightly overlapping and offset at the same time. The electrical and mechanical connection is made with lead-free, conductive adhesives. Matrix shingle modules can be scaled as required in various formats. The degree of light transmission can also be varied.

Research and development services for:

Module manufacturers

Matrix Shingle Technology

Precise Verification of Electrical Characteristics

Until 2016, Fraunhofer ISE's laboratory measured more power on average than promised by the manufacturer. Since then, a negative trend has become apparent, particularly in the years 2020 to 2023.

Based on statistical analyses, we have observed a trend that the performance of many commercial PV modules does not meet the nameplate values. For various reasons, this trend can have negative consequences for all stakeholders along the value chain.

In our accredited CalLab PV-Modules, we conduct precise electrical characterizations of PV modules. Embedded within the extensive research environment of Fraunhofer ISE, this globally unique infrastructure combines the precision of an accredited calibration laboratory with the versatility of an accredited testing facility for comprehensive reliability and safety testing of modules.

Research and development services for:

Module manufacturers (Golden Modules)
Developers / Operators of power plants (Quality control)
Laboratories (Proficiency testing)

CalLab PV Modules

Reliability Testing and Failure Analyses

Although the prices of PV modules are continuously decreasing, the reliability of the modules remains crucial for the economic operation of a PV plant.
Efficiency degradation or premature failures lead to yield losses and significant costs for O&M measures, enforcing claims, and module replacements. PV power plants are typically expected to operate for more than 25 years, while the innovation cycles in module technology are measured in months, making replacements potentially impossible in a few years.

Our R&D services include:

Extended module and material testing
Failure mode analyses
Test development

Research and development services for:

Module developers and manufacturers (reliability analysis and benchmarking)
Plant operators / developers (quality assurance of modules in purchasing, damage assessment)

Module Analysis and Reliability

Megawatt Charging

Mittelspannungs-Tankstelle Detailansicht — © Fraunhofer ISE / Foto: Michael Spiegelhalter
Die am Fraunhofer ISE entwickelte Mittelspannungs-Systemtechnik für zukünftige Schnellladestationen ermöglicht Spitzenlasten von mehreren Megawatt bei geringem Ressourcenverbrauch und hoher Flexibilität.

We show a highly compact, highly efficient galvanically isolating power-electronic converter as used, for example, in DC fast charging for electric vehicles.

Due to the operating mode and the selected topology of a series resonant converter, the converter can be operated at a very high clock frequency. This creates the basis for achieving the very high power density of the design. At the same time, a very high transmission efficiency is also achieved, exceeding 99.0% in most of the operating range.

Research and development services for:

Manufacturers of fast charging systems for electric vehicles
Suppliers of battery storage and fuel cell systems

Key Topic Medium Voltage

NRGISE.ONE

With NRGISE.ONE, the institute is presenting an innovative product suite that takes the planning and control of storage-based energy systems to a new level. The aim is to minimize the economic costs of installation and operation by using state-of-the-art models and AI algorithms. The product suite comprises the tools NRGISE.plan, NRGISE.plan Free and NRGISE.control, which together offer an integrated and optimized solution for planning and operation - for both “behind the meter” and “front of the meter” applications.

Research and development services for:

Planners and operators of battery storage systems

Planning and Control of Storage Systems

Zinc-Ion Battery

Demonstrator of a zinc-ion battery (ZIB) with water-based electrolytes on an application-oriented scale. The ZIB module can be used in stationary applications such as home/industrial storage, large-scale storage, off-grid and uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

The cell chemistry is rechargeable and uses highly available, cost-effective, environmentally friendly materials. The advantages over other battery technologies lie in the areas of safety (non-flammability of the water-based electrolyte), costs, environmental compatibility and system robustness.

Research and development services for:

Battery module manufacturers
Battery storage manufacturers
Marketing companies for home/industrial storage systems

R&D of Battery Materials and Cells

Electrical Energy Storage

We are researching the next generation of lithium-ion batteries as well as promising alternatives. We are looking at the entire value chain - from materials and cells to battery system technology and a wide range of storage applications. In our laboratory infrastructure in Freiburg's "Haidhaus", we offer extensive scientific tests and inspections at cell and system level, as well as state-of-the-art characterization processes.

We will be informing you about our entire range of research into electrical energy storage systems at a separate stand in Hall B0: Stand 340A.

Research and development services for:

Battery module manufacturers
Battery storage manufacturers
Planners and operators of battery storage systems

Electrical Energy Storage

Trade Fair / May 07, 2025 - May 09, 2025