Dave Savastano11.21.13
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg, Germany has been awarded project funds within the framework of the U.S. SunShot Initiative. They are one of only three research partners in the program who are not from the U.S.
The SunShot Initiative was started in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Its aim is to reduce the electricity generation costs for solar electricity in the U.S. down to six U.S. cents per kilowatt hour, thereby making solar energy competitive with conventional fossil fuel energy sources. For more than 30 years, Fraunhofer ISE has been working on increasing the energy efficiency of solar cells.
“We are delighted to be a European research partner in the second round of the SunShot Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency (F-PACE). Our participation demonstrates the high level of international recognition that our research receives,” sid Dr. Stefan Glunz division director of Development and Characterization at the Fraunhofer ISE.
Together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL and the project leader Georgia Institute of Technology, the Fraunhofer researchers will work on even further improving the efficiency of high-efficiency silicon solar cells. “The research focus will be on passivation strategies for solar cell contacts, emitter optimization as well as improved light trapping in the solar cell,” said Dr. Glunz.
Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber, director of Fraunhofer ISE since 2006 and former professor at the University of California, Berkeley, was pleased about this cooperation. “Photovoltaics is a key player in the inevitable global energy transition to renewable energy sources and still holds potential for efficiency gains, which can be realized through international joint research efforts,” Dr. Weber said.
The SunShot Initiative was started in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Its aim is to reduce the electricity generation costs for solar electricity in the U.S. down to six U.S. cents per kilowatt hour, thereby making solar energy competitive with conventional fossil fuel energy sources. For more than 30 years, Fraunhofer ISE has been working on increasing the energy efficiency of solar cells.
“We are delighted to be a European research partner in the second round of the SunShot Foundational Program to Advance Cell Efficiency (F-PACE). Our participation demonstrates the high level of international recognition that our research receives,” sid Dr. Stefan Glunz division director of Development and Characterization at the Fraunhofer ISE.
Together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory NREL and the project leader Georgia Institute of Technology, the Fraunhofer researchers will work on even further improving the efficiency of high-efficiency silicon solar cells. “The research focus will be on passivation strategies for solar cell contacts, emitter optimization as well as improved light trapping in the solar cell,” said Dr. Glunz.
Prof. Dr. Eicke R. Weber, director of Fraunhofer ISE since 2006 and former professor at the University of California, Berkeley, was pleased about this cooperation. “Photovoltaics is a key player in the inevitable global energy transition to renewable energy sources and still holds potential for efficiency gains, which can be realized through international joint research efforts,” Dr. Weber said.