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!
Latest Publications
Prospects for solar photovoltaics in highly renewable energy transition scenarios towards a dominant future energy source
Bredemeier, Dennis and Khalili, Siavash and Keiner, Dominik and Breyer, ChristianComparison of daylight luminescence methods during inverter operation for fault detection in solar modules
Xu, Chencheng and Wentnagel, Andrej and Siebert, Michael and Köntges, MarcA 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, ThorstenSolar 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 YajieThe Cost of Ownership and Minimum Sustainable Price of POLO BJ Cells Produced in Germany
Gomez Trillos, Juan Camilo and Buddana, Viswa Harinath and Papantoni, Veatriki and Min, Byungsul and Junge, Sebastian and Kähler, Jan‐Dirk and Schneider, Friedrich and Brendel, Rolf and Vogt, ThomasResearch 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.
