Press Release

The dramatic decline in the price of PV-generated electricity and the rapid expansion of production capacities make PV a game changer in the global energy system. In the future, solar power will not only be relevant for the electricity sector, but will also supply the transportation and heating sectors as well as industry and chemical processes. This presents both opportunities and challenges – on the energy system level as well as for R&D and industry. Leading international PV researchers gathered by the Global Alliance for Solar Energy Research Institutes describe the key points of the future developments in an article which appeared on May 31, 2019 in »Science«.

In a panel discussion at the Intersolar Europe in Munich, experts from industry, research and associations addressed the exciting question “Would a PV factory in Germany/ Europe be realistic?” The chances and possibilities of re-establishing a photovoltaic production in Germany and Europe were discussed. The panel discussion was based on the first results of a study carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE commissioned by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA).

This year’s Intersolar Europe in Munich will see Fraunhofer ISE exhibit shingle solar cells and modules designed to integrate photovoltaics into buildings and vehicles, as well as sensors optimized to enable more accurate solar radiation forecasting. The latest developments in power electronics and battery technology, in addition to solar cell manufacturing technology and defect measurement for solar modules, will augment the range of exhibits presented by Fraunhofer ISE at its booth in hall A1.540. Completing the institute’s range of services at the leading exhibition for solar technology will be numerous presentations and workshops as part of the accompanying program and the conferences hosted by Intersolar Europe and EES.

Over the past months, the first blade bearings have been tested in Hamburg on the new BEAT 6.1 test bench using a highly simplified yet customary setup. The installation of specially manufactured hybrid components means that, with immediate effect, dynamic loads can also be applied to the bearing, which, in turn, produces particularly realistic test conditions. The latest, now fully operational test bench to join the IWES portfolio is to be presented to guests right in time for the site opening on May 6. The improved insight into damage and damage progression on wind turbine bearings subject to very high loads can now be integrated directly into the design stage which, to date, was essentially based on experience. Optimized blade bearings help to prevent turbine downtimes and make turbine operation even more economic.

Technology development can contribute significantly to an efficient and environmentally friendly use of domestic carbon resources. This is the result of a two-day workshop with participants from China, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany, which took place at the invitation of the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Berlin. Experts from science and industry discussed the potential of the hydrogen economy for a competitive and sustainable chemical industry or new catalysis technologies. They decided to intensify the mutual exchange.

The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP presents innovative contributions to quality control in the solar industry at the Intersolar trade fair from 15.-17. May 2019 in Munich. Visitors will be able to experience a mobile test device for the PID susceptibility of solar modules, get to know new approaches for the reliable design of lightweight modules and find out how to optimize complex processes, for example, for the evaluation of yield by evaluating measured data.

Over the past two years, the dual use of land for the harvesting of solar electricity and agriculture has been tested in the joint project “Agrophotovoltaics – Resource Efficient Land Use (APV-RESOLA).” On one-third of a hectare arable land near Lake Constance in Germany, photovoltaic modules with a total power output of 194 kilowatt are installed on a five meter high structure. The results from 2017 showed a land use efficiency of 160 percent, as confirmed by the project consortium under the direction of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. The performance of the agrophotovoltaic system in the very hot summer of 2018 greatly exceeded this value. The partial shading underneath the photovoltaic modules improved the agricultural yield, and the sun-rich summer increased the solar electricity production.

The use of power electronics in challenging fields of application – such as electric vehicles or aerospace – implies high requirements concerning switching speed and reliability. In this context, conventional packaging technologies are often pushed to their limits. Scientists at Fraunhofer IISB have developed a novel packaging concept and technologies by embedding power semiconductor devices into ceramic circuit carriers. Their design offers high temperature stability, operation at high voltages, and hermetic sealing to provide maximum lifetime in harsh environments. This helps to fully exploit the great advantages of wide-bandgap semiconductors (WBG). Power modules based on this new approach are presented by Fraunhofer IISB at this year’s PCIM Europe exhibition in May 2019 in Nuremberg.

Northern Chile is one of the sunniest regions on Earth and holds great potential for developing a sustainable energy supply based on solar energy. Four years ago, Fraunhofer ISE initiated the Fraunhofer Centro de Tecnologias para Energia Solar CSET in Santiago de Chile together with the Fraunhofer Chile Research Foundation. The Center CSET cooperates closely with local universities in Chile. Recently, Prof. Hans-Martin Henning, Institute Director of Fraunhofer ISE, met with representatives of the Chilean Ministry of Energy, the Office for Economic Development and the Chilean Chamber of Commerce in order to strengthen the cooperation and identify strategies for the future.

Two system test bench campaigns are part of the research project „CertBench“. They are carried out with the nacelle of a 3 MW wind turbine which is already certified. Therefore, the test bench results can be compared directly to electrical porperties determined during field measurements. The target of the project is to accelerate the certification process.