Our Research
Welcome to the Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) in Lower Saxony!
The energy transition needs solar energy. Solar energy protects our climate, is available everywhere, is popular with the population and generates electricity and heat close to where the energy is needed. And: The rapid expansion of solar energy worldwide holds great economic opportunities for our export country!
For these reasons we foster solar energy by doing applied research in the fields of “Photovoltaics” and “Solar systems engineering”. “Innovation with impact” is our motto for more than 30 years. We are cooperating with the industry, with other research institutions, and with universities. ISFH is associated with the “Leibniz Universität Hannover”.
We are happy to answer your requests, whether you are from industry and interested in co-operations or in using our scientific services, or whether you are a student interested in one of our advertised academic works or whether you are interested in one of our job openings. Your ideas count!
Intensive course on poly-Si contacts
This training program is designed for professionals in the photovoltaic industry who work on the development, scale-up, or production of solar cells with poly-Si contacts. It combines focused theory with hands-on work in ISFH’s production-near SolarTeC infrastructure, enabling participants to analyze real processes, interpret measurement data, and address typical challenges encountered in industrial practice.
Latest Publications
Stability of Ga-doped Cz-Si solar cells under PV-module field conditions
Winter, Michael and Larionova, Yevgeniya and Mertens, Verena and Coşkun, Özlem and Delikanlı, Çağrı Taha and Çalışkan Arslan, Meriç and Dullweber, Thorsten and Schmidt, JanEnhanced Bandgap Flexibility in Perovskite-Silicon Tandem Solar Cells via Three-Terminal Architecture
Gholipoor, Mohammad and Rienaecker, Michael and Liu, Xuzheng and Orooji, Seyedamir and Fang, Lingyi and Fassl, Paul and Guo, Renjun and Lemmer, Uli and Peibst, Robby and Paetzold, Ulrich WilhelmSolar Cell Efficiency Tables (Version 67)
Green, Martin A. and Dunlop, Ewan D. and Yoshita, Masahiro and Kopidakis, Nikos and Bothe, Karsten and Siefer, Gerald and Hao, Xiaojing and Jiang, Jessica YajieA novel separate-precursor-pulse PECVD SiOx as interfacial oxide for polysilicon passivating contacts applied to industrial high efficiency silicon solar cells
Larionova, Yevgeniya and Nguyen, Viet Xuan and Pernau, Thomas and Seiffert, Daniela and Brendel, Rolf and Dullweber, ThorstenTowards 25 % interdigitated back-contact solar cells on Ga-doped Cz-Si using a lean industrial process flow
Larionova, Yevgeniya and Köhler, Adrian and Hussein, Karima and Helmich, Lailah and Schimanke, Sabrina and Ripke, Melanie and Veurman, Welmoed and Jäger, Philip and Baumann, Ulrike and Brendel, Rolf and Dullweber, ThorstenUpcoming Events
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Rotterdam, Niederlande
World Trade Center (WTC)
Rotterdam
Niederlande
World Trade Center (WTC)
Rotterdam
Niederlande
43. EU PVSEC 2026
The 43rd EU PVSEC brings researchers, industry, and policymakers together in Rotterdam from 14 to 18 September 2026. ISFH will present its latest photovoltaics research and looks forward to scientific exchange with the PV community.
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Freiburg, Germany
EuroSun2026
EuroSun2026 is a platform for showcasing advances, innovations, and new trends in the field of solar energy. The ISFH will present its findings on heat supply using a combination of heat pumps and solar energy.
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Aalborg, Denmark
12th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems
At Smart Energy Systems, researchers and experts from industry and business exchange ideas on the latest developments in the fields of smart energy systems, fourth-generation district heating, energy efficiency, and electrification.
Research at ISFH
Silicon solar cells and PV modules
From silicon wafer to PV module: Our research combines material science, cell and module technology, quality assurance, and manufacturing engineering to enable highly efficient, cost-effective, and resource-saving photovoltaic production.
Building integration
Building-integrated solar thermal, photovoltaics, and photovoltaic-thermal systems – functional, aesthetic, and efficient. We develop solutions for façades, roofs, and new energy applications.
Tandem solar cells and modules
We develop innovative tandem solar cell concepts with a focus on highest efficiency, industrial scalability, and the reindustrialization of PV manufacturing in Europe.
Energy systems for buildings
Innovative building energy systems – intelligently connected, solar-powered and ready for a climate-neutral future.
Fabrication and custom manufacturing
Smart, flexible, and cost-effective – at ISFH we create technologies for the production of solar cells and PV modules
Heat pumps
We research heat pumps for supplying buildings and neighborhoods, and thermal energy systems – using simulation, component analysis and real-world testing.
Reliability of photovoltaics
We evaluate the reliability of new solar cells, materials, and PV modules under real-life conditions—across laboratory settings, outdoor field testing, and with custom module designs.
Hydrogen
We advance green hydrogen technology through novel catalysts, innovative materials using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, and by supporting industry in scaling new solutions.
Our services at CalTeC
As a DAkkS-accredited laboratory, ISFH CalTeC offers precise calibrations and tests for solar cells, solar thermal systems, spectroradiometers and heat pumps in accordance with international standards such as ISO, IEC and EN. In addition to accredited services, we also support you with individual tests and development support.
