Press Releases

The recycling of components from end-of-life solar modules is an important approach to the sustainable use of resources. This allows certain components of solar modules to be reused or converted into new products. The recently launched joint project "RETRIEVE" aims to make this possible: When recycling solar module components, the goal is to improve the material quality so that it meets the current requirements for reintegration into the photovoltaic value chain. The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is contributing its expertise in material analysis and process optimization to the project, which will run until March 2027.

Ulrike Jahn has joined the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP as a Senior Scientist. This is the first time the research institute in Halle (Saale) has filled such a position. The physicist comes from VDE Renewables and is one of the world's leading experts for quality assurance in photovoltaics.

Solar cells made in Europe can set themselves apart from the competition through highly efficient technologies and compliance with environmentally friendly produc-tion processes and standards. This is where the EU-funded joint project PILATUS comes in, which aims to create three digitalised pilot lines for the production of silicon wafers, solar cells and PV modules in Europe by 2025. The aim is to transfer the latest back-contact technology for heterojunction solar cells to mass production. The Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is applying its expertise in the field of inline and offline diagnostics and metrology of solar cells using its digitally controlled measurement and classification platform.

South Africa could play an important role in the coming years as a reliable producer of green hydrogen — including as a supplier for Germany. However, the storage and distribution of this resource currently poses challenges. This is where the recently launched Fraunhofer joint research project HySecunda comes in, which is a cooperation between nine Fraunhofer institutes and the Fraunhofer Academy. The project aims to find optimized solutions for produc-ing, storing and certifying green hydrogen. In addition, the consortium is sup-porting efforts to build capacity in the region and in current projects on hy-drogen-based fuels for the aviation industry.

Stefan Lange from the Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) has been awarded the Heinz Bethge Prize for Materials Science, worth 500 euros, by the Heinz Bethge Foundation for Applied Electron Microscopy for his dissertation entitled "Parasitic oxides at buried interfaces in modern silicon solar cells". His findings can contribute to a better understanding of the fundamental properties of the layer systems in a solar cell and the associated electronic properties.

The quality and manufacturing of the encapsulation and backsheet films play an important role in the reliability of a solar module. Only if the quality, processing and compatibility of the films are right, protection of the interconnected solar cells against environmental influences can be guaranteed and the module be ready for use for decades. Together with partners, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is investigating new types of encapsulation and backsheet films for PV modules that should have a service life of at least 40 years.

In order for the sunlight to be optimally utilized by photovoltaic modules, they must be cleaned regularly. Chemical cleaning additives are intended to enhance the cleaning effect. However, these can bring with them a high potential for damage. The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP has developed a test method to investigate the material compatibility of such cleaning agents and effects on the functionality of modules.

Photovoltaic (PV) modules are designed for a service life span of more than 25 years. However, first signs of damage to the electrical insulation can already be observed in many modules after only being in use for 4-8 years. This applies often to modules with polymeric back sheets. The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, along with four other research institutes, is working on an improved field-relevant test method for these back sheets. Materials and processes are thereby tested under real operating conditions for an operational service life span of more than 20 years.

In cooperation with seven partners from industry and research, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) is scaling up climate-neutral photoelectrochemical generators separating hydrogen from water to commercial capacity.

Inverters are the essential key component for feeding the electrical energy generated by solar modules into the power grid. How can failures and malfunctions of these inverters be reduced? The Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS is investigating this question in cooperation with DiSUN Deutsche Solarservice GmbH and DENKweit GmbH as part of the "robStROM" project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.