At the Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH), we are working on innovative components for the photovoltaic as well as solar thermal utilization of solar energy. Our main focus is the physical understanding of individual components and the development of cost-effective fabrication processes. ISFH has three departments: “Photovoltaics”, “Solar Energy Systems”, and the calibration and test center “ISFH CalTeC”. Our field of work in photovoltaics includes fundamental material research as well as development of processes and tools needed for the fabrication of solar cells and modules. The main focus is the development of novel silicon solar cells and the corresponding module technology to achieve energy conversion efficiencies above 20% on module level. Our superior goal is the reduction of levelized costs of electricity of solar energy conversion. The department “Solar Energy Systems” focuses on the integrated energy supply of decentralized units such as buildings and housing estates with electricity and heat. The goal is to achieve a low-cost and low-carbon supply of energy in high-quality systems. To that end, ISFH is developing, assessing, and optimizing, among other things, solar thermal collectors, new coating processes and storage concepts, and new applications for and combinations of energy systems. ISFH CalTeC (Calibration and Test Center) is offering independent and accredited calibration of silicon solar cells as well as assessment of solar absorber coatings, spectroradiometers, and solar thermal systems as well as components.
