Research Projects

The integration of photovoltaics into existing surfaces, devices and envelopes requires new module concepts and thus module manufacturing processes. Curved PV modules can be used in e-vehicle roofs, for example. The prototype of a curved PV car roof was manufactured at Fraunhofer ISE in 2019. In order to be able to manufacture curved PV modules industrially, an industrial laminator as well as the required processes and module concepts are being developed in the "3D" project. In addition, methods for mechanical and electrical characterization are being developed and tested. Solar cell strings are examined by Magnetic Field Imaging (MFI) and conductive adhesives by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). | Duration: 02/2021 - 01/2024

Climate change has become a tangible reality in Germany in recent years. Heatwave summers and low precipitation in winters have led to massive problems in agriculture in many places. Protected cultivation under foils is a current trend, causing additional costs and waste problems. In this project, highly transparent organic solar cells will be developed that allow visible light, which is important for plants, to pass through and use the infrared portion to generate electricity. These could make it possible to simultaneously generate the urgently needed solar power for a successful energy and mobility turnaround from the film covers that are intended to protect plants from heavy rain, hail, sunburn and desiccation. | Duration: 09/2021 - 07/2024

The agrivoltaic project in Mali and the Gambia (APV-MaGa) is a research and development project that aims at proofing the technical and economic viability of an integrated triple land-use system in order to contribute to a more ecological and socio-economic sustainable development of the partner countries and in general, the West African economy. Thus, the double land use of agrivoltaics is extended by the range of water management. Furthermore, APV-MaGa aims at uniting agricultural research, socio-economic strategies and solar energy expertise to reveal challenges and opportunities of APV systems and to gain a deeper understanding of synergies and interactions between the Food-Water-Energy-Nexus. | Duration: 08/2020 - 12/2023

The agricultural sector is facing new challenges. In the wake of climate change, strategies must be developed to avoid negative impacts on harvests. Orcharding in Germany is already affected by the consequences of climate change: rising temperatures, changes in precipitation distribution and increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as hail and heavy rain. As a result, commercial fruit growers are increasingly using hail protection nets and foil roofing to prevent quality and yield losses. The project "APV-Obstbau" (Agrivoltaic Orcharding) will investigate to what extent agrivoltaics can replace these protective measures in apple cultivation, which system design makes sense for this crop and in which way the agrivoltaic system affects crop yields. | Duration: 04/2020 - 03/2025

In AgriChance, the opportunities and risks of Agri-PV for agriculture and energy transitions in Hamburg are being examined. The results serve as a decision-making aid to outline the potential, economic considerations, and energy integration. | Duration: 11/2022 - 08/2025

The potential for roof-integrated photovoltaics is significant. According to a study by Fraunhofer ISE, building-integrated photovoltaics alone is estimated to have a technical potential of 1,000 GW for Germany. The majority of this segment accounts for roof surfaces. Considering this background, cost-effective, visually attractive and easy-to-install photovoltaic solutions for roof integration will become particularly popular in the future. In the "Baldachin" project, we are working with our partners to develop an innovative solar roof element for next-generation building-integrated photovoltaics that follows the shape and color of classic roof tiles at no visible solar cells. | Duration: 07/2021 - 06/2024

Customer-specifically produced PV modules for building integration (BIPV) are developed and tested in pilot applications of the “Construct-PV” EU project. The project focuses on BIPV applications in the opaque area of the building envelope. The development priorities are high yield, appealing aesthetics, and low costs. Here, not only the production costs of the modules, but also the planning, installation, and operation costs are considered. Particular attention is paid to the amortization of the additional investment costs [€/m2] that are incurred due to the integration of the “solar power generation” function into the building envelope. In the project, several patents were filed for new developments. In this article, newly BIPV slates and their promising electrical behavior under climatic and mechanical loads are presented. | Duration: February 2013 - January 2018

How should PV trackers optimally track? This question is being researched in the project »DeepTrack« together with PV Zimmermann Tracker GmbH. In DeepTrack, the latest AI and power plant simulation methods are applied to maximize the yield of complex power plants, such as Agri-PV power plants. The methods are implemented and investigated in a pilot plant at the solar test field in Merdingen. | Duration: 03/2023 - 02/2025

The goal of the project is to investigate the effects of multiple FPV system configurations on different types of lakes. These findings will then be used to best shield affected aquatic ecosystems from climate change induced changes during FPV plant design. Based on different factors, such as surface occupancy or module tilt angle, an influence on the energy balance in the lake will be calculated, which both counteracts the effects of climate change as much as possible and maximizes electricity yields. | Duration: 01/2022 - 12/2024

In the HUMAX research project, various measures to build humus and improve soil carbon content will be investigated in different combinations. The aim is to identify possible synergies of the measures and to show combined application options. A unique feature of the HUMAX project is that these measures are to be applied in agrivoltaic systems (AV) and agroforestry systems (AFS). In an innovative approach of the HUMAX project, humus increasing measures (cover crops, winter greening, compost application, etc.) will be combined and tested with other promising measures such as biochar. By combining the various humus-building measures, new ways shall be found to maximize the build-up of humus, the carbon sequestration and therefore the function of the soil as a carbon sink. For this purpose, the effects of the combinations of measures on soil carbon and agriculture in AV and AFS systems are examined. Building on this, a modular system will be developed that will allow farmers to put together the best possible combination of measures for targeted carbon and humus management in their business, given their general conditions at the site. As part of the project, research at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems focuses on the systemic and microclimatic analysis of various AV systems. The results are statistically evaluated and modeled in connection with the agronomic and soil physical studies in order to optimize AV systems with regard to microclimatic changes and build-up of soil organic carbon i.e., humus. | Duration: 05/2023 - 04/2029