Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE (Fraunhofer ISE) is a research institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft focused on applied research for sustainable energy technologies. Headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, it works across the solar energy value chain and related energy system topics.
Core competencies include photovoltaics (from silicon materials and cell/process development to modules and systems), thin films and perovskite/tandem technologies, power electronics and grid integration, energy storage, hydrogen technologies (electrolysis and fuel cells), solar thermal solutions, and energy‑efficient buildings. The institute conducts characterization, reliability and performance testing, techno‑economic and ecological assessments (including life‑cycle analysis), and supports technology transfer from lab to industrial scale.
For the chemical and energy sectors, Fraunhofer ISE’s work is relevant to materials and process development, PV manufacturing and recycling, hydrogen production and utilization, and power‑to‑X pathways for synthetic fuels and chemicals. The institute collaborates with industry, utilities, and public bodies in R&D projects, pilot lines, and demonstration plants, contributing measurement expertise, modeling, and standardization to accelerate deployment of low‑carbon technologies.
