Press Releases 2013

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  • III-V multi-junction concentrator solar cells
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE today announced that it has joined forces with EV Group (EVG) to develop equipment and process technology to enable electrically conductive and optically transparent direct wafer bonds at room temperature. The new solutions, developed in partnership with Fraunhofer ISE based on EVG’s recently announced ComBond® technology, aim to enable highly mismatched material combinations like gallium arsenide (GaAs) on silicon, GaAs on indium phosphide (InP), InP on germanium (Ge) and GaAs on gallium antimonide (GaSb). Direct wafer bonding provides the ability to combine a variety of materials with optimal properties for integration into multi-junction solar cells, which can lead to new device architectures with unparalleled performance.

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  • Solar cell wafer with four-junction concentrator cells and test structures
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Freiburg, May 22, 2013 In an ambitious industry project with the French company Soitec, Fraunhofer ISE is currently developing a new generation of multi-junction solar cells with efficiency potential as high as 50 % under concentrated sunlight. For this, the researchers are replacing the conventional triple-junction solar cell – which consists of semiconductors from groups III and V of the periodic system – by a new four-junction device. Two dual-junction cell structures are first grown on separate III-V compound semiconductor substrates and then fused together so efficiently that the interface promotes the current flow through the four-junction solar cell device. Multi-junction solar cells are used in concentrator PV power plants.

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  • Secretary Ratan P. Watal, Sujata Singh and Prof. Eicke Weber
    © Botschaft von Indien, Berlin

    Secretary Ratan P. Watal in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India and Prof. Eicke Weber, Institute Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Freiburg signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) a short time ago in Berlin in the presence of Sujata Singh, the Indian Ambassador to Germany. The cooperation focuses on research, demonstration and pilot projects in the areas of photovoltaics, solar thermal and hydrogen.

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  • PV Rollout – 3rd European American Solar Deployment Conference, Atlanta, Georgia— February 28, 2013— VDE, a globally recognized premium certification body, today announced the establishment of a U.S.-based wholly owned subsidiary, VDE Americas. One of the first key activities is the introduction of a set of premium tailored products for the testing and certification of complete large scale PV systems with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, a world-class applied research institute for solar energy. The new quality mark—VDE Quality Tested for PV Power Plants—verifies the complete certification of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, including quality, performance and safety of the PV system.

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  • Exhibition on fire protection products
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Photovoltaic systems are different, but not more dangerous, than traditional electrical installations. This is the conclusion drawn at a fire protection workshop held on January 24, 2013 by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and TÜV Rheinland at the Solar Info Center in Freiburg. The workshop was attended by 120 participants, including manufacturers, researchers, representatives from the fire brigade and insurance companies. They agreed that the best fire protection is the adherence to the existing regulations through qualified skilled workers.

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  • Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber and Adnan Z. Amin
    © IRENA

    Freiburg and Abu Dhabi, January 17, 2013 The International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance their cooperation. IRENA, the global hub for renewable energies, is based in Abu Dhabi. Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg is one of the world’s leading solar energy research institutes that works for providing technologies for the transformation of the global energy system towards the efficient use of ultimately 100% renewable energy. “By joining forces we intend to create synergies and accelerate the deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions on a global level,” said Prof Dr Eicke R. Weber, Director of Fraunhofer ISE at the signing ceremony which took place on Freiburg and Abu Dhabi, January 17, 2013 The International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance their cooperation. IRENA, the global hub for renewable energies, is based in Abu Dhabi. Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg is one of the world’s leading solar energy research institutes that works for providing technologies for the transformation of the global energy system towards the efficient use of ultimately 100% renewable energy.

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  • Press Release Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft / 2013

    Partnership for Sustainable Energy Technologies

    January 15, 2013

    Fraunhofer and The University of British Columbia UBC in Vancouver, Canada will partner to jointly develop technologies for sustainable energy production and supply.

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  • On January 15, 2013, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, located in Freiburg, participates in the Zayed Future Energy Prize award ceremony. The Institute competes as one of three finalists in the category Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for the well-endowed prize. The candidates have been selected concerning their impact affecting tangible industrial, social or environmental changes as well as their leadership in the field.

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  • Crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules provide electricity for Rappenecker Hof
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and SCHOTT Solar AG have agreed on the transfer of 111 patent families in the field of crystalline silicon photovoltaics. With this transfer, both partners ensure that comprehensive know-how in the photovoltaic sector remains in Europe. “We have established an important milestone for keeping this future-oriented technology in Germany,” says the Institute’s director, Prof. Eicke Weber.

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