Partnership for Optimal Power Plant Yield and Accelerated Innovation

Against the background of the strongly growing international PV market, the two partners have set their sights on jointly developing a standard procedure for the quality testing of solar photovoltaic systems for establishment in the new market. The approach takes a representative sample of the PV modules which are selected by a proven sampling method. The test procedure itself addresses the special climatic and local requirements at the different locations.

The cooperation includes the entire value chain of solar power production of EDF Energies Nouvelles: from quality testing the modules in advance up through to yield measurements of the installed PV power plants on a regular basis. Module testing, carried out to guarantee an optimal energy yield, is performed on both the silicon PV modules of EDF EN’s subsidiary Photowatt as well as products from third party companies.

As evidenced in their numerous joint projects, research and development plays an important part in the partnership between EDF Energies Nouvelles and Fraunhofer ISE. The European project “Solartrain,” a result of the cooperation, was distinguished for its competitiveness a short time ago.

Close Alliance between Two Big Players in the Solar Sector

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE carries out applied research and development for innovative solutions in solar energy. It ranks among the top of its kind. The unique expertise at Fraunhofer ISE guarantees that yield measurements of PV power plants are performed with the highest reliability and precision. Due to its flexibility and fast processing times, Fraunhofer ISE can carry out large jobs in parallel, offering high-quality services at a top international level.

An integrated company, EDF Energies Nouvelles uses Fraunhofer ISE’s expertise to guarantee the complete quality assurance from the module manufacturing up to the operation of its power plants located in eight countries. The Group holds a PV power production capacity of over 1.4 GW consisting of its own power plants and those of its subsidiaries, who specialize in the operation and maintenance of renewable energy power plants, (EDF EN Services in Europe and EDF Renewable Services in North America).

“By bundling our competence with that of Fraunhofer ISE, EDF Energies Nouvelles enables the quality assurance of its power plants. At the same time we also open up new perspectives for improving solar energy performance,” explains Pierre-Guy Thérond, Head of New Technologies at EDF Energies Nouvelles.

“As a recognized player in the international PV industry, we have been pursuing our goal of quality assurance in this solid and long-standing partnership for ten years. Our fruitful cooperation is based on the synergy of our expertise and on our constant efforts to innovate. These are the best prerequisites for our joint development of a sophisticated quality assurance standard. We anticipate that this milestone will lead to a marked improvement in the international standards,” adds Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber, Institute Director of Fraunhofer ISE.

About EDF Energies Nouvelles

EDF Energies Nouvelles is a market leader in green electricity production, with a portfolio of 9 GW gross installed capacity focused for the most part on wind (onshore and offshore) and solar photovoltaic energy. Mostly operating in Europe and North America, EDF Energies Nouvelles continues its development in promising emerging areas taking position in new countries (Chile, Brazil, South Africa and India). The Company is also present in other segments of the renewable energy market: marine energy, biomass and distributed energies. EDF Energies Nouvelles manages renewable energy projects’ development and construction as well as operation and maintenance for its own account and for third parties.

EDF Energies Nouvelles is a subsidiary of the EDF Group dedicated to renewable energy. www.edf-energies-nouvelles.com

About Fraunhofer ISE

With a staff of about 1100, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe. Fraunhofer ISE is committed to promoting sustainable, economic, safe and socially just energy supply systems based on renewable energies. Its research provides the technological foundations for supplying energy efficiently and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialized, threshold and developing countries throughout the world. Focusing on energy efficiency, energy conversion, energy distribution and energy storage, the Institute develops materials, components, systems and processes in five business areas and offers accredited testing facilities and other expert lab services to clients. The Institute is a member of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest application-oriented research organization. For more information, visit us at www.ise.fraunhofer.de