Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

Research Projects

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  • AVATAR – Development of a Digital Twin for Printing Forms for Fully Automated Resource-Efficient Optimization of Fine-Line Printing Process Applications

    3D model of a fabric to model the load in the printing process.
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    3D model of a fabric to model the load in the printing process.

    In the age of digitization, the question arises as to how established printing technologies such as the flatbed screen printing process can be transferred into the digital space. Key challenges such as reducing structure widths or maximizing production throughput could be handled more cost-effectively and faster with the help of a digital twin. The outlined project represents an approach to digitizing the flatbed screen printing process and includes the optimization of production parameters using CFD simulation and artificial intelligence, as well as the integration of a feedback loop for live process control and adjustment. The project consortium covers a broad range of the production chain and thus enables optimal collaboration. | Duration: 04/2023 - 03/2026

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  • Nano-Tandem – Nanowire-based Tandem Solar Cells

    Nano-Tandem - Large-area structurization
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Large-area structurization of a template realized with nanoimprint lithography for the deposition of III-V nanowires on a silicon wafer of 100 mm diameter. Photo (right): Electron microscope image of the structurized surface. The resist columns of 200 nm diameter are ordered in a cross grid with a period of 1 µm.

    Project in the Business Area Photovoltaics, Topic: III-V and Concentrator Photovoltaics, Silicon Photovoltaics Fields of Work: III-V Epitaxy and Solar Cells, High-Efficiency Cell Fabrication and Analysis, Metallization and Patterning Duration: May 2015 - April 2019

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  • NextTec – Contactless Performance Measurement for Solar Cells

    Next Generation PV Production Technologies for Increased Throughput

    Photoluminescence images of a partly shaded solar cell reveal defects in the metallization, among other features.
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Photoluminescence images of a partly shaded solar cell reveal defects in the metallization, among other features.

    To mitigate threatening supply bottlenecks and reduce the manufacturing costs of silicon solar cells, a high production throughput is necessary - a decisive factor not only for PV expansion in Germany, but worldwide. A consortium led by Fraunhofer ISE has therefore developed a proof-of-concept for a future production line with a throughput of 15 000 to 20 000 wafers per hour as part of the "NextTec" project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK). This corresponds to at least a doubling of the throughput compared to currently used production systems. One focus of the work at Fraunhofer ISE has been the accelerated measurement of the current-voltage characteristic. | Duration: 05/2019 - 10/2022

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  • StroKoFo – Current Assisted Contact Formation of Metal-Semiconductor Contacts

    Performance data of two groups of solar cells with passivated emitter and rear: in blue the best group without StroKoFo treatment, in red the best group of the experiment with StroKoFo process, which increases the efficiency of the solar cells significantly, by 0.37%<sub>abs</sub>.
    © Fraunhofer ISE

    Performance data of two groups of solar cells with passivated emitter and rear: in blue the best group without StroKoFo treatment, in red the best group of the experiment with StroKoFo process, which increases the efficiency of the solar cells significantly, by 0.37%abs.

    The StroKoFo project focuses on an innovative process for forming or optimizing the metal-semiconductor contact of silicon solar cells (StroKoFo process), which is based on a different physical principle than the conventional firing process. | Duration: 02/2020 - 01/2023

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