The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg is the largest research institute for solar technology in Europe. It focuses on the development of technologies for a sustainable energy supply, including photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, hydrogen technologies and energy systems. With around 1400 employees, the institute works on increasing energy efficiency and promoting the use of renewable energies.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is one of the central institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and specializes in promoting energy system transformation by developing renewable energy solutions. As a leading institute in Germany, Fraunhofer ISE works on advanced technologies ranging from optimizing solar cells and solar modules to developing efficient inverters. These technologies are essential to feeding electricity from solar installations into the grid with minimal losses.
Fraunhofer ISE has developed groundbreaking technologies, including the integration of solar cells into car bonnets, to make electric vehicles even more energy efficient. These innovations help to reduce the energy requirements of vehicles and decrease dependence on external power sources. Another outstanding development is the MorphoColor technology, which makes it possible to design solar modules in different colors without significant loss of energy efficiency. This technology is particularly interesting for the aesthetic integration of photovoltaics into building facades.
By developing inverters that can generate higher voltages, Fraunhofer ISE is reducing the need for expensive copper, which not only lowers costs but also conserves resources. These innovations are crucial to the future of renewable energies and show how technological advances can help optimize energy use and support the energy transition.