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Fraunhofer ISE solar module technology developments

Overview

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has announced developments in specialized solar module technologies.

In early August, Fraunhofer ISE and the U.S.-based company Source Energy introduced a line of silicon-based solar modules designed for low-Earth-orbit satellites. These modules utilize a shingle-matrix interconnection to maintain electrical continuity despite potential damage from debris. The technology aims to provide a lower-cost, robust alternative to traditional III-V solar technology for commercial satellite missions.

Later in the month, researchers at Fraunhofer ISE and the University of Freiburg reported progress in scaling semitransparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules. Using industrially viable slot-die coating and sputtering processes, the team produced 14.5 by 14.5 centimeter modules with up to 9.26% efficiency and an average transparency of 43.2% in the visible spectrum.

This technology utilizes carbon-based semiconductors and can be applied to glass or foil to create flexible modules. The development is intended for applications where solar cells act as translucent elements, such as building facades, greenhouses, car roofs, or tinted glass surfaces. Dr. Uli Würfel, head of the Organic and Perovskite Photovoltaics department at Fraunhofer ISE, noted that scaling up to large areas is a major challenge, as laboratory results often fail to translate directly to industrial manufacturing processes.

Entities

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE · University of Freiburg · Dr. Achim Kraft · Source Energy · Najwa Abdel Latif

Timeline

  1. 26 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Fraunhofer ISE and University of Freiburg develop transparent solar modules

    Researchers in Germany have developed semitransparent, industrially scalable organic solar modules that could turn windows and glass facades into efficient electricity generators.

  2. 29 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 7 sources
    Fraunhofer ISE develops scalable semitransparent organic solar modules

    Researchers have developed scalable, semitransparent organic solar modules using industrial coating methods, achieving up to 9.26% efficiency for use in building facades and greenhouses.

  3. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    Fraunhofer ISE and Source Energy Launch Silicon Solar Modules for Satellites

    Fraunhofer ISE and Source Energy unveiled silicon solar modules for LEO satellites, using shingle‑matrix interconnection to cut costs, boost robustness, and deliver up to 16 W per 64 g panel.

Sources

basicthinking.de · daswetter.com · finanznachrichten.de · i-magazin.com · knowridge.com · mormonhistoricsites.org · pv-tech.org · spotlightmagazine.ca · taiyangnews.info

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history