Field Test Sites

In addition to our measuring facilities in the TestLab PV Modules laboratory rooms, Fraunhofer ISE also operates field test benches in four different climates:

Test site in Freiburg, Germany.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Test site in Freiburg, Germany.
  • Freiburg, Germany (moderate climate)
    Central European reference location with moderate temperature, humidity, UV radiation, and moderate snow and wind loads.
    The test bench is situated on the roof of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE.
Prüfstand auf der Umweltforschungsstation Schneefernerhaus (UFS) auf der Zugspitze, Deutschland.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Prüfstand auf der Umweltforschungsstation Schneefernerhaus (UFS) auf der Zugspitze, Deutschland.
  • The Zugspitze, Germany (alpine climate)
    Alpine location with a cold mountain climate, wide temperature fluctuations and high UV radiation as well as high snow and wind loads.
    The test bench is located at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS) on the Zugspitze mountain.
Test sites in the grounds of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker, Israel.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Test sites in the grounds of the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boker, Israel.
  • Sede Boker, Israel (arid climate)
    Desert climate with high temperatures, sharp temperature fluctuations and high levels of irradiation and UV radiation.
    The test bench is situated in the grounds of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

 

Test site in the grounds of the (ITC) in Pozo Izquierdo, Spain.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Test site in the grounds of the (ITC) in Pozo Izquierdo, Spain.
  • Pozo Izquierdo, Gran Canaria, Spain (maritime climate)
    Maritime climate with a saline atmosphere where it is possible to study the corrosion resistance of modules and components.
    The test bench is located in the grounds of the Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC).

The test benches are equipped with systems for high-resolution climate data and module monitoring.

  • Climate data
    • Temperature
    • Wind speed
    • Relative humidity
    • Irradiance (global and UV)
  • Module data
    • Module temperature
    • Current-voltage (IV) characteristic
    • Power/output (through continuous monitoring of the IV characteristics and MPP tracking)