Press Releases

Over the past two years, the dual use of land for the harvesting of solar electricity and agriculture has been tested in the joint project “Agrophotovoltaics – Resource Efficient Land Use (APV-RESOLA).” On one-third of a hectare arable land near Lake Constance in Germany, photovoltaic modules with a total power output of 194 kilowatt are installed on a five meter high structure. The results from 2017 showed a land use efficiency of 160 percent, as confirmed by the project consortium under the direction of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The performance of the agrophotovoltaic system in the very hot summer of 2018 greatly exceeded this value. The partial shading underneath the photovoltaic modules improved the agricultural yield, and the sun-rich summer increased the solar electricity production.

Northern Chile is one of the sunniest regions on Earth and holds great potential for developing a sustainable energy supply based on solar energy. Four years ago, Fraunhofer ISE initiated the Fraunhofer Centro de Tecnologias para Energia Solar CSET in Santiago de Chile together with the Fraunhofer Chile Research Foundation. The Center CSET cooperates closely with local universities in Chile. Recently, Prof. Hans-Martin Henning, Institute Director of Fraunhofer ISE, met with representatives of the Chilean Ministry of Energy, the Office for Economic Development and the Chilean Chamber of Commerce in order to strengthen the cooperation and identify strategies for the future.

From 1-5 April 2019, the world’s leading industrial show, the Hannover Trade Fair, presents key technologies and core areas of industry ranging from R&D up to services. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE exhibits its innovations in the area of hydrogen at the joint booth Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe (Hall 27, Booth C58). The booth is celebrating its 25th jubilee with a record participation of 170 exhibitors from 20 countries over a total area of 5000 m².

The majority of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Germany are roof-mounted using a mounting system to fix the modules. On the other hand, solar PV modules that are fully integrated into the façade or roof offer many advantages to the building owner. Presently a global mass market is developing for photovoltaic building envelopes, allowing cities, in particular, to develop a more sustainable energy consumption. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have made recommendations as to how European manufacturers can participate more successfully in this market. Key facets are the industrial production of custom-made solar components for buildings as well as the incorporation of these components in the planning tools and processes of building specialists. On March 18-19, 2019, the BIPV Forum is meeting in Bad Staffelstein, directly prior to the PV Symposium held there annually.

From March 11 to 15, 2019 the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE will be presenting its expertise in the field of heat pump technologies, including sustainable coolants, quality assurance and product qualification. Other topics presented are the technical prerequisites, e.g. for tenant electricity models and the intelligent operation management of buildings. The ISH Energy section is the international meeting point for industry in the fields of heating and cooling technologies and innovative building solutions. The experts from Fraunhofer ISE are located in Hall 11, Booth D68 at the ISH 2019 in Frankfurt, Germany.

In Düsseldorf, eight member institutes of the Fraunhofer Energy Alliance are presenting their range of services from March 12-14, 2019 at the Energy Storage Europe, the leading international trade fair on energy storage. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is exhibiting its innovations in the areas of electrochemical and thermal energy storage, power electronics and Power-to-Hydrogen at the joint booth (H33, located in Hall 8b). In parallel, the 8th Energy Storage Europe Conference (ESE) and the 13th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference (IRES) is taking place, where Fraunhofer ISE researchers will present results in the fields of electrical and thermal energy storage.

Freiburg/Abu Dhabi (January 16, 2019) Prof. Eicke R. Weber, former director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and Vice President of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) has been awarded the SOLAR FUTURE.TODAY Visionary Influencer Award 2019 in the category Yearly Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to Prof. Weber during the 3rd Black-Tie Gala Abu Dhabi on the occasion of the 3rd SOLAR FUTURE.TODAY World Annual Forum in Abu Dhabi last night, on January 15, 2019.

Digitalization, climate change, resource scarcity and housing shortages are top challenges requiring innovative and sustainable solutions, also from the building industry. The member institutes of the Fraunhofer Building Alliance are performing visionary research to find interdisciplinary solutions and systems for the living spaces of the future. With a special show at the BAU 2019 (14-19 January 2019 in Munich), the Fraunhofer Alliance is presenting innovative products and system solutions from their building research. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE will display innovative and sustainable solutions at a special show in Hall C2, Booth 528.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg has developed a special adhesive process to interconnect silicon solar cells for the industrial production of shingle modules. The market demand for shingle modules is rising rapidly due to their high efficiency and pleasing aesthetics. The cell stringer at Fraunhofer ISE is unique in Germany. It offers a wide range of possibilities for the prototype production of this highly efficient module.

Silicon solar cells dominate the photovoltaic market today but the technology approaches the theoretical maximum efficiency that can be achieved with silicon as the only absorber material. Tandem solar cells, on the other hand, combine several absorber materials, enabling a better energetic use of the solar irradiance spectrum. Due to their higher efficiency potential, tandem solar cells have a promising future. After intensive research, scientists at Fraunhofer ISE in cooperation with partners have achieved a new efficiency record of 22.3 percent for a multi-junction solar cell made of silicon and III-V semiconductor materials. The outstanding achievement is that the III-V layers were directly grown on the silicon.