The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has started construction of its new ‘Center for High-Efficiency Solar Cells’ facility, designed to lead R&D activities in future generations of technology development.
 
Fraunhofer ISE held a cornerstone ceremony on October 4, 2017 in Freiburg to officially start the construction of the purpose built facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. German federal and state governments was said to have provided a total of €32.6 million for the new facility.

“We are delighted that in designing the new clean room facilities, we were able to adjust the infrastructure to meet the latest technological challenges,” noted institute director Dr. Andreas Bett. “We are grateful to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg for financing the new laboratory building. With their contributions, they are recognizing the importance of German research activities in the area of photovoltaics.”
  
Prof. Hans-Martin Henning, the other institute director under Fraunhofer ISE’s new joint leadership system, added, “When it comes to the cost-effective realization of the energy transition, our energy system analyses make clear that photovoltaics and wind energy will be the pillars of our future energy supply.”

Fraunhofer ISE’s long-standing R&D facility was deemed to have an outdated clean room for next generation solar cell development. The new facility is expected to retain Germany’s position at the forefront of international research and development in solar technology.