Press Releases

For more than 30 years, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has been one of the world’s leading research institutes for solar energy. In the field of photovoltaics, which focuses on converting sunlight into electrical energy, the institute has repeatedly set world records for efficiency for various solar cell technologies, thereby helping to put Germany at the forefront of international research and development in this area. In order to strengthen Germany’s leading position, the institute is now constructing a new building with a clean room equipped to handle the latest technological challenges. The cornerstone of the “Center for High-Efficiency Solar Cells” was laid on October 4, 2017 in Freiburg. By financing this building, the federal government and the government of Baden-Württemberg are signaling their commitment to photovoltaic research in Germany.

At 1.3 percent measurement precision, the accredited calibration laboratory of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE achieved a record value. Measurement repeatability is 0.4 percent. Germany’s national accreditation body DAkkS has confirmed this value according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The excellent measurement precision of CalLab PV Modules was also proven in a recent comparison of PV module calibrations between the four best-known calibration laboratories worldwide. For PV power plant investors, the precise calibration of PV modules translates into more exact yield predictions and thus lower financial risks. PV manufactures require high measurement precision to ensure the highest-level quality assurance in production and the power measurements of their products.

Research and industry worldwide are working to further reduce the costs of solar electricity and German research is playing a leading role. With its newest solar cell, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has now exceeded its own world record for multicrystalline solar cells. The record cell converts 22.3 percent of the incident sunlight into electricity.

As of July 10, 2017 it is official: Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Henning and Dr. Andreas Bett will assume a dual leadership position as the new institute directors of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. Both have been at Fraunhofer ISE, the largest institute for solar energy research in Europe, for many years. The two scientists are internationally renowned throughout the world in their field and collectively hold expertise in the areas of photovoltaics, building energy technology and energy system analysis. Both Henning and Bett were division directors and formerly deputy institute directors of the institute. Now that the appointment procedure has been finalized, they can officially succeed Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber as the next institute directors of Fraunhofer ISE.

On July 6-7, 2017 the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is hosting the 7th PV Module Reliability workshop. This year the workshop will be held at the Solar Info Center, which is in close proximity to the laboratories of Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg. The location provides an ideal setting for technical tours and discussions. This year the workshop focuses on the reliability of PV modules and systems, and speakers from throughout the world will be presenting talks related to this theme. The topics range from the newest improvements in measurement and test procedures to service life tests for PV modules.

The calibration laboratory at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has achieved a best value: Photovoltaic modules can now be calibrated with an even higher measurement precision of 1.3 percent. Repeatability lies at 0.4 percent. Measurement precision is a decisive factor for quality assurance in the module production and for investments in PV plants. For a volume of 10 MW, for example, each percentage point increase in measurement precision corresponds to a monetary value of about 60,000 euros.

The efficiency and reliability of solar power generation are largely determined by the properties of the PV inverter used. As a key component of a PV installation, the inverter converts direct current generated by the PV modules into alternating current for the power grid. Until now, research into electronic power converters has typically focused on increasing power density by using the latest semiconductor technologies and circuit topologies. However, new research approaches are needed to tackle the ever increasing cost pressures of a globalized PV economy. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and its project partners have teamed up to investigate what a new generation of PV inverters aimed at reducing costs could look like. Assembly, cooling and packaging technologies were identified as key areas where adjustments could be made.

Thanks to considerable cost reductions in photovoltaic modules, solar energy holds increasing appeal for use in the mobility sector. Depending on the type of application, even diesel fuel for trucks can be replaced by photovoltaics to some extent. Fraunhofer ISE has carried out and evaluated yield analyses of PV power supply for commercial vehicles, such as refrigerated transport vehicles, using real-life solar irradiance data. Based on its findings, the institute sees great potential in this field and is working together with partners from the logistics and automotive sectors to conduct research into special PV modules for use in commercial vehicles. The aim is to integrate the modules in the truck roofs to supply power for driving the vehicle or for cooling goods.

The Silicon PV – International Conference on Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaics is coming back to Freiburg where it began in 2011. The conference series was founded with the goal of offering an outstanding high-class scientific program on advanced technologies, materials and concepts for crystalline silicon solar cells and modules. This year, 370 participants from 25 countries have registered to attend. A special highlight of the program are the invited speakers: Prof Henry J Snaith, whose talk "Perovskite on Silicon Tandem Cells" focuses on a new concept for increasing the efficiency of today’s silicon solar cells; Dr. Kunta Yoshikawa, KANEKA Corporation, will present the company’s world record efficiency for a monocrystalline silicon solar cell in his talk entitled "Exceeding Conversion Efficiency of 26% by Silicon Heterojunction Technology."

With the grid expansion and modernization process for the German energy transformation, a growing number of applications for advanced power electronics and grid technologies arise. Power electronic devices, or converters, are key for connecting power supplies, consumers and storage systems and are playing an ever more important role in our energy supply. Further, these devices must be tailored to meet the increasingly complex requirements that ensure the flexible and reliable operation of our future energy system. Against this background, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is constructing a new lab site for the research, development and testing of the grid integration of renewable power, including controls for the low, medium and high voltage grids. Already most of the impressive lab infrastructure has been acquired and installed, and the new facility in the industrial area in North Freiburg is taking concrete shape.