The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg, Germany, has been awarded project funds within the framework of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) SunShot Initiative.
Fraunhofer says it is one of only three research partners in the program who are not from the U.S.
The DOE's SunShot Initiative, started in 2011, aims to reduce the electricity generation costs for solar electricity in the U.S. down to $.06/kWh.
Together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and project leader Georgia Institute of Technology, Fraunhofer says its researchers will work on improving the efficiency of high-efficiency silicon solar cells.
"The research focus will be on passivation strategies for solar cell contacts, emitter optimization, as well as improved light trapping in the solar cell," explains Stefan Glunz, division director of development and characterization at the Fraunhofer ISE.
