Fraunhofer ISE, a research institute in the field of solar energy, has announced the opening of a new outdoor solar technology test field in Merdingen, Germany. This three-hectare test field will enable faster and more accurate evaluation of photovoltaic (PV) modules under actual weather conditions.
The new location complements Fraunhofer ISE's existing test fields in Gran Canaria, Spain, and the Negev desert in Israel, which enable prototypes and products to be tested in various climates under extreme temperature fluctuations or exposure to salt air.
The Merdingen test field is equipped with state-of-the-art measurement technology and can combine results from an indoor laboratory environment, where tests on solar PV modules, integrated PV systems, solar thermal collectors, inverters, and other solar technologies are carried out.
In addition, a part of the outdoor performance test field is dedicated to the study of integrated PV technologies. Currently, different types of PV noise barriers are being erected to test their electricity yield and noise protection performance. On another part of the test field, various height-adjustable agriPV systems will soon be installed.
According to Andreas Bett, institute director at Fraunhofer ISE, “The new outdoor performance test field in Merdingen provides us with the needed space to perform outdoor tests on a wide variety of solar technologies. The test results will enable us to gain important knowledge which can be used to further improve module performance and reliability.”
Fraunhofer ISE's commitment to developing renewable energy technologies extends beyond Germany. Earlier this year, the institute signed a letter of intent (LoI) with the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST) to pursue developments in green hydrogen technology in India.
The LoI aims to pair indigenous technologies and hydrogen plants with Fraunhofer's renewable energy technological expertise to optimize them for Indian conditions. The collaboration will target both existing and developing hydrogen assets being set up by the DST.
