Profile
The purpose of the Institut für Solarenergieforschung Hameln (ISFH) is the promotion and execution of research and development in the field of solar energy utilization. According to its objectives, the ISFH offers its infrastructure and know-how for external services and cooperation. In all research and development projects, a close cooperation with industrial partners is considered to be the highest priority.
The activities of the ISFH focus on photovoltaics and solar thermal energy conversion.
Basic research of material properties as well as process and equipment development contribute to the success of our photovoltaic activities. A major effort in silicon photovoltaics is the development of solar cells including the accompanying module technology aimed at efficiencies of 20% for Si-wafers and 16% for Si-thin-films.
The employees of the ISFH on the technology building, May 2009
The major topics within the solar thermal division of the ISFH are the active use of thermal solar energy in the temperature range up to 200° C and passive solar energy use in buildings. New concepts for an integration of solar collectors into buildings is aimed at cost reduction thru synergy effects and better cost-effectiveness.
ISFH is offering scientific services to the industry and other research institutions in the fields of solar thermal and photovoltaics.
ISFH is funded by the State Government of Lower Saxony. There are close connections to universities, especially to the university of Hanover with which the ISFH has the official relationship of an ‘associated institute’. In addition the ISFH cooperates with many other national and international universities and technical schools.
The location of the ISFH is Emmerthal, a small village located in the wonderful landscape of the Weserbergland. Emmerthal is close to Hamelin, a beautiful old city and Hanover, the capital of the state of Lower Saxony.
Apart from the main building on the southern slope of the Ohrberg there are two test houses and some large outdoor test stands in the extensive grounds of the ISFH.
The ISFH is a member of the "ForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie”, a German alliance of non-university research institutes. Also the ISFH is a new member of the "European Renewable Energy Centres Agency” (EUREC), an alliance of European research institutes working in the field of solar energy utilization.
