About our institute
Innovative solar energy research: efficient technologies for the future
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. The focus is on physical understanding and generalizable technological findings as well as the development of cost-effective processes. The components manufactured at ISFH are tested in energy systems, as only their behavior within a system decides whether a development is successful. The system itself is in this an extremely important part of research work.
We support the utilization of solar energy in collaboration with our partners from industry and our students through research and innovations.
Departments at the ISFH
Photovoltaics
In photovoltaic research, the tasks include fundamental material examination as well as the development of processes and systems for the production of solar cells. The main focus is on the development of new silicon solar cells with efficiencies of more than 24%, highly efficient tandem solar cells and the associated PV module technology. The overriding aim is to reduce the production costs of solar cells and PV modules.
Solar systems
The Solar systems department focuses on the integrated overall energy supply of electricity and heat for decentralized units such as buildings and settlements. The objective is a cost-effective and low-CO₂ energy supply in high-quality systems. To this end, ISFH develops, evaluates and optimizes thermal solar collectors, heat pumps, innovative coating processes, storage concepts and new applications and combinations for energy systems.
CalTeC
The ISFH CalTeC (Calibration and Test Center) offers independent and accredited measurements for the calibration of silicon solar cells and for testing solar absorber coatings, spectroradiometers and solar thermal systems and components.
Central services
The Central services support the entire infrastructure of the institute. They consist of an administrative department, to which the secretariat, accounting, legal and human resources departments are assigned, and the corporate development department, which comprises the technical areas of building services, mechanical workshop and IT as well as public relations.
Organizational chart of the ISFH
Organizational chart
PDF, 57.12 KBMore information
Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board appoints, controls and advises the Managing Director. According to the Institute’s statutes it consists of up to nine members. Some of the members are directly appointed by the State of Lower Saxony, the rest being elected by a shareholders’ general meeting. The Supervisory Board also regularly invites guests to its meetings who perform an advisory function.
The members of the Board are
- Dr. Sebastian Huster (Head of the Supervisory Board), Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Hannover
- Jana Miksch (Deputy Head), Niedersächsisches Finanzministerium, Hannover
- Dirk Adomat, Landkreis Hameln-Pyrmont
- Dr. Anke Grieße, Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Umwelt, Energie, Bauen und Klimaschutz, Hannover
- Prof. Dr. Rolf Haug, Leibniz Universität Hannover
- Prof. Dr. Bernd Rech, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie
- Martin Roßmann, Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Board advises the Director and the Supervisory Board of the ISFH on all scientific, technical and organizational issues. Board members were nominated by the Lower Saxon Minister for Science and Culture. The Board members are respected scientists from universities and industry as well as other personalities who, through their professionals experience, are familiar with the research topics of the ISFH.
The members of the Scientific Advisory Board are
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Blume (Head of the Scientific Advisory Board), Leibniz University Hannover – Vice President for Research and Transfer, Hanover
- Dr. Jutta Trube, formerly VDMA (Deputy Head of the Scientific Advisory Board)
- Dr. Gunter Erfurt, formerly Meyer Burger Technology AG
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Geyer, Leibniz University Hannover – Sustainable Building Systems, Hanover
- Dr. Michel Haller, SPF Institute for Solar Technology, OST, Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Rapperswil, Switzerland
- Dr. Helge Haverkamp, centrotherm international AG, Blaubeuren
- Dr. Winfried Hoffmann, ASE, Hanau
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Katharina Klemt-Albert, RWTH Aachen University – Institute of Construction Management, Digital Engineering and Robotics in Construction, Aachen
- Dipl.-Ing. Gerald Müller, Viessmann Climate Solutions SE, Allendorf (Eder)
- Dr. Delfina Muñoz, National Institute for Solar Energy (INES), Le Bourget du Lac, France
- Dr. Lars Oberbeck, Total S. A., Paris, France
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Annika Raatz, Leibniz University Hannover – Institute for Assembly Technology, Hanover
- Dr. Kai Schiefelbein, Stiebel-Eltron GmbH & Co. KG, Holzminden
- Prof. Dr. Frithjof Staiß, Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg (ZSW), Stuttgart
- Prof. Dr. Arthur Weeber, TU Delft, Netherlands
Do you have any questions?
You are welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
How to get to the ISFH
By public transport
From Hameln train station, take bus 40 or 522 to Ohrbergpark
By car
Via federal highway 83, junction ‘Am Ohrberg’
between Hameln and Emmerthal
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