News

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have succeeded in reducing the silver consumption of TOPCon solar cells to 1.1 milligrams per watt peak. Currently, TOPCon solar cells require an average of 10 to 12 milligrams of silver per watt peak. To the reduction, they tested an electroplating-based inline metallization process on pilot systems developed by RENA Technologies GmbH. By combining ultrashort UV laser structuring with the electrochemical deposition of nickel, copper, and silver, the research team produced M10-sized TOPCon solar cells with an efficiency of 24 percent. Compared to PERC solar cells, TOPCon solar cells have higher silver consumption, hence solar cell manufacturers are under particular cost pressure to reduce it.

ISC Konstanz and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have conducted an analysis of the market situation for PV manufacturing equipment on behalf of the VDMA. The study forecasts that the global annual capital expenditure (CAPEX) for PV manufacturing equipment is projected to rise from 16.6 billion dollars in 2025 to 43.8 billion dollars by 2035, resulting in a cumulative global market volume of USD 250-300 billion in the next ten years. The study provides a comprehensive overview of global PV manufacturing, key technological trends, and the competitiveness of European machinery and equipment manufacturers.

Intelligent storage technologies are needed to ensure the success of the energy transition. Thermal storage systems can efficiently store heat from renewable energies. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is conducting research into the use of 3D printing technology to manufacture thermal energy storage systems from ultra-high-performance concrete. The institute is collaborating with partners from industry and research to achieve this goal.

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.

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.

Under the motto “Driving the transition to renewable and carbon-free energy,” the international EuroSun2026 conference will take place in Freiburg from September 14 to 18, 2026. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, together with Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is the local and scientific host of the conference. Contributions to the conference can be submitted until March 1, 2026 (Call for Abstracts).

Solar power forecasts help grid operators to proactively regulate the power grid and market solar power. These forecasts require the most accurate prediction of solar radiation possible. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a new AI-based method to better predict cloud development in satellite images. This method reduces errors in short-term irradiation forecasts by an average of 11 percent. If infrared images are also incorporated, the accuracy of the forecasts can be significantly improved, especially in the early morning.

Dr. Moritz Kroll, team leader of Battery Data Science at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, will establish the independent junior research group NADINE (Battery Data Science) at the University of Freiburg as part of the “BattFutur – Junior Research Groups in Battery Research” program. The interdisciplinary project will start in February 2026 at INATECH in the Faculty of Engineering and will run for five years. The focus will be on data-based methods for non-destructive quality control of battery cells that reduce the consumption of critical resources in manufacturing.

Large capacities of fast-charging infrastructure are being built to electrify the transport sector. Stations with megawatt fast-charging points for heavy-duty vehicles on high-traffic routes require charging capacities equivalent to the power requirements of a small town (30 MW). The “ReNew – Resilient Fast Charging Parks for Heavy Goods Vehicles” project aims to develop system concepts for megawatt charging stations for the first time that pursue a holistic and technically and economically scalable approach. The consortium will develop and build the central medium-voltage components and test them on a laboratory scale. At the heart of the innovation is local energy distribution with direct current at medium-voltage level.