Press / Newsroom

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have succeeded in constructing two tandem photovoltaic modules with record efficiencies. A III-V germanium PV module with an efficiency of 34.2 percent, incorporating solar cells from AZUR SPACE and anti-reflection structures from temicon, thus becomes the most efficient solar module in the world. A III-V silicon PV module achieves an efficiency of 31.3 percent, setting a record in its class, and is based on established, cost-effective silicon technology.

A recent comparison of measurement results between CalLab PV Modules of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) reveals that the two organizations deviate by less than 0.15 percent on average from the reference value when measuring the power of photovoltaic modules. Regular comparisons between independent calibration laboratories are an important component of their quality assurance process, guaranteeing that the PV industry can trust the results. In recent years, many module manufacturers' power ratings have diverged increasingly from Fraunhofer ISE measurements, with the median divergence reaching roughly 1.4 percent in 2025.

To ensure energy security and achieve its climate protection goals, Germany will import large quantities of hydrogen in the future. Dimethyl ether (DME) is an environmentally friendly, non-toxic, efficient, and economically attrac-tive gas that shows great promise as an energy source for hydrogen and its derivatives. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new, particularly energy-efficient synthesis process for its production, which could become a game changer for DME production and thus for the hydrogen economy. In the international “Power-to-MEDME” project, the entire process chain for large-scale production of methanol and DME in Chile was researched on this basis.

The Espirito Santo Research and Innovation State Funding Agency (FAPES), the State Secretariat for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Professional Education of Espírito Santo (SECTI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement aims to intensify cooperation in the areas of research and development as well as scientific infrastructure. A comprehensive assessment of Espírito Santo’s current energy system was launched as the first joint research project in February.

The expected addition of around 73 terawatts of new photovoltaic capacity by 2050 will require large quantities of raw materials, including copper and aluminum. Resource requirements and investment costs can be significantly reduced if the voltage level of the PV system is raised to medium voltage. The “PVgoesMV” project aims to demonstrate, through the construction and operation of two pilot plants, that this step is technically feasible and economically viable for large-scale PV plants. These are the world's first PV plants with a 3 kV string inverter. Manufacturers of all key system components for a PV park are supporting the project, which is scheduled to run for three years.