Innovative Solar Solutions and Research Advancements at Fraunhofer ISE

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Press / Newsroom – Fraunhofer ISE

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE is dedicated to advancing research and innovation in solar energy technologies. Below are some key updates from our recent projects and findings.

### Recent News

**Health Platform for Pickup Trucks: Fraunhofer Research Team Wins the “Innovations for a Better Future” Award**
*June 5, 2025*
In response to the lack of comprehensive medical care in remote areas, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST have developed a modular health platform powered by solar energy. This innovative solution, part of the PreCare project, can be installed in the bed of a pickup truck and is currently being utilized in South Africa and Namibia. The team received the Innovations for a Better Future award from the Fraunhofer-Zukunftsstiftung for this significant contribution.

**Scalable Path to Produce Perovskite Silicon Tandem Solar Cells**
*June 2, 2025*
In a collaborative research initiative, scientists from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems have successfully replaced the spin-coating method with blade-coating for manufacturing perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. This “hybrid route” combines evaporation and blade-coating techniques, resulting in tandem solar cells with efficiencies nearing 28 percent. This advancement paves the way for large-scale production of this promising solar technology.

**InP-on-GaAs Substrates Can Replace Prime Indium Phosphate Wafers**
*May 22, 2025*
In collaboration with III/V-Reclaim, researchers at the Fraunhofer ISE have successfully produced high-quality indium phosphide on gallium arsenide substrates (InP-on-GaAs wafers) with diameters up to 150 mm. These wafers represent a cost-effective alternative to traditional indium phosphide, with a process developed to apply a thin layer of high-quality InP on GaAs. This method ensures customers receive epi-ready wafers for the direct growth of III-V epitaxial structures, facilitating the manufacture of high-performance semiconductor devices.

**TrHyHub Study: Western Australia Could Become Renewable Hydrogen Hub for European Demand**
*May 7, 2025*
The Port of Rotterdam and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems are collaborating with Australian partners to explore the potential of Western Australia as a leading producer, user, and exporter of renewable hydrogen. The TrHyHub Study suggests that Western Australia could meet a significant portion of Europe’s hydrogen demand by 2050. The study identifies critical components for establishing a supply chain from the Mid West Hydrogen Hub in Oakajee to Germany via the Port of Rotterdam, indicating that ammonia is the most viable short-term option with promising future cost reductions.

**Pilot Production Line for Solar Roof Tiles with Matrix Shingle Technology Established**
*May 6, 2025*
As part of the “SPHINX” research project, the Fraunhofer ISE has launched a pilot line for photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles featuring matrix shingle technology at Module-TEC in Freiburg. This flexible and automated production line enables project partner Freesuns, a Swiss solar roof manufacturer, to produce its innovative matrix shingle roof tiles on a pilot scale before transitioning to mass production. The line is set to manufacture 4,000 solar roof tiles, with the first 800 modules already produced since March 2025. These new solar roof tiles will be showcased from May 7-9 at Smarter E Europe / Intersolar at the Fraunhofer ISE booth in Hall A1.

For more information about our projects and research, please visit our [website](https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/press-media.html).
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