Researchers from INATECH (University of Freiburg) and Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg develop solvent-free perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells; Published in Joule.

Researchers from INATECH (University of Freiburg) and Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg develop solvent-free perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells; Published in Joule.

A New Milestone for Photovoltaics: Solvent-Free Tandem Solar Cells

Researchers from the Early-Career Research Group on Optoelectronic Thin-Film Materials at the Institute for Sustainable Technical Systems (INATECH) at the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a new process chain for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells that operates entirely without solvents. The research findings have now been published in the renowned journal Joule.

Semi-transparent PV Modules Developed Using an Industry-ready Manufacturing Process

Organic solar modules score points for their flexibility, transparency, and a particularly good environmental footprint. Wavelength-dependent transparency, in particular, is a major strength of organic photovoltaics. Researchers at the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have now succeeded in building 14.5 by 14.5- centimeter organic PV modules with an average transparency of 43.2 percent and an efficiency of up to 9.26 percent. To achieve this, they used a combination of sputtering and slot-die coating – both processes that are industrially proven and highly scalable to large module areas.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Fraunhofer IAP and SGC Energy agree to collaborate on CO2 electrolysis, hydrogen and batteries

Advancing technologies for a climate-neutral industry together: The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the South Korean energy company SGC Energy are pooling their expertise to further develop processes for CO2 utilization and hydrogen production, as well as battery and fuel cell technologies. The partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this end.

“The energy transition is achievable – if research and society work together on it”

How can we successfully navigate the path to a climate-neutral future? Since 2022, this question has been the focus of the traveling exhibition “Power2Change: Mission Energy Transition.” At ten locations across Germany, it brought both challenges and potential solutions to life for a broad audience. Now that the exhibition has come to an end, Sandra Naumann takes stock. The UMSICHT researcher was involved in the “Science Communication on the Energy Transition” project almost from the very beginning and played a special role: She coordinated collaboration among the project partners and bridged the perspectives of research, museum work and science communication.

Special coating strengthens ultra-thin glass-on-glass PV module

EXXOSQEL GmbH and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP have jointly developed a glass-glass PV module with front and back glass panels each only 1 mm thick. A reactive coating compensates for the lower mechanical strength and stiffness of the ultra-thin glass. The demonstrator highlights the potential for lighter, more material-efficient solar modules for use in building-integrated photovoltaics and further applications.

Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy deployed with two next-gen Lidar units

For the first time, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is operating two different profiling Lidar types simultaneously on a Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy. The campaign aims to validate the suitability of both systems for offshore buoy deployment while exploring new measurement concepts to increase data availability and enable complementary measurement strategies. As the first deployment of these next-gen Lidar units on a floating Lidar buoy, it also provides data to evaluate their performance under offshore conditions. It is being carried out as part of the “Wind-Lidar-Boje NG“ research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).

Silicon Photovoltaics Make Power Generation in Space More Cost-Effective

The American company Source Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have jointly developed a new product line for space satellites based on silicon solar cells. The solar arrays are using a special interconnection technology. Combined with inexpensive silicon solar cells, this enables modules at much lower costs compared to standard III-V technology that currently dominates the space sector. The automated production process, utilizing the M10 Solar Equipment GmbH’s Shingle-Matrix Stringer, allows Source Energy to delivery their products in less than six months from the time of order.

Energy-Efficient Electric Drying With Superheated Steam

Industrial drying processes consume large amounts of energy and negatively impact the climate since they burn fossil fuels to heat air. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are working with industry partners on a new approach to decarbonize this process: Instead of hot air, they are using superheated steam. Combined with a heat pump and smart controls, their superheated steam drying process saves significant amounts of energy and eliminates the need for natural gas.

Indo-German Research on Floating Photovoltaic Systems

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, India. The goal is to collaborate on research projects in the field of renewable energy, to facilitate the joint supervision of master’s and PhD students and to offer exchange programs. The collaboration will focus in particular on research into floating photovoltaic systems as well as agrivoltaics.

Propane Heat Pumps for Multi-Family Houses – Fraunhofer ISE Develops Solution Concepts

Heat pumps can replace existing gas and oil heating systems in multi-family houses when the entire system is designed to match the building. This is the core finding of the “LC R290” research project, in which the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE worked with a consortium of twenty companies from the heating industry and housing sector to develop typical solution concepts for heating system replacement. The project team used the refrigerant propane (R290) for this purpose.

Energy I Climate I Environment

2026 A New Milestone for Photovoltaics: Solvent-Free Tandem Solar Cells August 27, 2026 Researchers from the Early-Career Research Group on Optoelectronic Thin-Film Materials at the Institute for Sustainable Technical Systems (INATECH) at the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have developed a new process chain for perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells that operates entirely without solvents. The research findings have now been published in the renowned journal Joule. more info

2026 Semi-transparent PV Modules Developed Using an Industry-ready Manufacturing Process August 24, 2026 Organic solar modules score points for their flexibility, transparency, and a particularly good environmental footprint. Wavelength-dependent transparency, in particular, is a major strength of organic photovoltaics. Researchers at the University of Freiburg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have now succeeded in building 14.5 by 14.5- centimeter organic PV modules with an average transparency of 43.2 percent and an efficiency of up to 9.26 percent. To achieve this, they used a combination of sputtering and slot-die coating – both processes that are industrially proven and highly scalable to large module areas. more info

2026 Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Fraunhofer IAP and SGC Energy agree to collaborate on CO2 electrolysis, hydrogen and batteries August 20, 2026 Advancing technologies for a climate-neutral industry together: The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the South Korean energy company SGC Energy are pooling their expertise to further develop processes for CO2 utilization and hydrogen production, as well as battery and fuel cell technologies. The partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this end. more info

2026 “The energy transition is achievable – if research and society work together on it” August 17, 2026 How can we successfully navigate the path to a climate-neutral future? Since 2022, this question has been the focus of the traveling exhibition “Power2Change: Mission Energy Transition.” At ten locations across Germany, it brought both challenges and potential solutions to life for a broad audience. Now that the exhibition has come to an end, Sandra Naumann takes stock. The UMSICHT researcher was involved in the “Science Communication on the Energy Transition” project almost from the very beginning and played a special role: She coordinated collaboration among the project partners and bridged the perspectives of research, museum work and science communication. more info

2026 Special coating strengthens ultra-thin glass-on-glass PV module August 12, 2026 EXXOSQEL GmbH and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP have jointly developed a glass-glass PV module with front and back glass panels each only 1 mm thick. A reactive coating compensates for the lower mechanical strength and stiffness of the ultra-thin glass. The demonstrator highlights the potential for lighter, more material-efficient solar modules for use in building-integrated photovoltaics and further applications. more info

2026 Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy deployed with two next-gen Lidar units August 06, 2026 For the first time, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is operating two different profiling Lidar types simultaneously on a Fraunhofer IWES Wind Lidar Buoy. The campaign aims to validate the suitability of both systems for offshore buoy deployment while exploring new measurement concepts to increase data availability and enable complementary measurement strategies. As the first deployment of these next-gen Lidar units on a floating Lidar buoy, it also provides data to evaluate their performance under offshore conditions. It is being carried out as part of the “Wind-Lidar-Boje NG“ research project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). more info

2026 Silicon Photovoltaics Make Power Generation in Space More Cost-Effective August 04, 2026 The American company Source Energy and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE have jointly developed a new product line for space satellites based on silicon solar cells. The solar arrays are using a special interconnection technology. Combined with inexpensive silicon solar cells, this enables modules at much lower costs compared to standard III-V technology that currently dominates the space sector. The automated production process, utilizing the M10 Solar Equipment GmbH’s Shingle-Matrix Stringer, allows Source Energy to delivery their products in less than six months from the time of order. more info

2026 Energy-Efficient Electric Drying With Superheated Steam August 03, 2026 Industrial drying processes consume large amounts of energy and negatively impact the climate since they burn fossil fuels to heat air. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB are working with industry partners on a new approach to decarbonize this process: Instead of hot air, they are using superheated steam. Combined with a heat pump and smart controls, their superheated steam drying process saves significant amounts of energy and eliminates the need for natural gas. more info

2026 Indo-German Research on Floating Photovoltaic Systems July 30, 2026 The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in Shimla, India. The goal is to collaborate on research projects in the field of renewable energy, to facilitate the joint supervision of mas