Press Releases

On July 4, 2019, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg officially inaugurates its new Center for Power Electronics and Sustainable Grids. With a propriety connection to the 110 kV high-voltage grid and 40 MVA transformer, the new center offers a worldwide unique research infrastructure which enables it to meet the growing demands on power electronics, a key technology for the energy system transformation.

The dramatic decline in the price of PV-generated electricity and the rapid expansion of production capacities make PV a game changer in the global energy system. In the future, solar power will not only be relevant for the electricity sector, but will also supply the transportation and heating sectors as well as industry and chemical processes. This presents both opportunities and challenges – on the energy system level as well as for R&D and industry. Leading international PV researchers gathered by the Global Alliance for Solar Energy Research Institutes describe the key points of the future developments in an article which appeared on May 31, 2019 in »Science«.

In a panel discussion at the Intersolar Europe in Munich, experts from industry, research and associations addressed the exciting question “Would a PV factory in Germany/ Europe be realistic?” The chances and possibilities of re-establishing a photovoltaic production in Germany and Europe were discussed. The panel discussion was based on the first results of a study carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE commissioned by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA).

This year’s Intersolar Europe in Munich will see Fraunhofer ISE exhibit shingle solar cells and modules designed to integrate photovoltaics into buildings and vehicles, as well as sensors optimized to enable more accurate solar radiation forecasting. The latest developments in power electronics and battery technology, in addition to solar cell manufacturing technology and defect measurement for solar modules, will augment the range of exhibits presented by Fraunhofer ISE at its booth in hall A1.540. Completing the institute’s range of services at the leading exhibition for solar technology will be numerous presentations and workshops as part of the accompanying program and the conferences hosted by Intersolar Europe and EES.

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.