Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP

What Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP does

Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP is a non-profit applied research institute jointly operated by Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer ISE, located in Halle (Saale), Germany. Founded in 2008 with around 52 employees, it covers the entire silicon photovoltaic value chain — silicon crystallization (Czochralski up to 300 mm, Float-Zone up to 8", SiC Physical Vapor Transport, Vertical Gradient Freeze), wafering and material processing, solar cell and module characterization, polymer analytics, ultrATRACE analytics by GD-MS, FEM-based lifetime prediction, and PV module recycling with secondary raw material recovery. It has extended its portfolio into hydrogen technology material diagnostics for PEM/AEM electrolyzers and solid oxide electrolysis cells, participating in Germany's national H2Giga and H2Mare programs. Its technology base rests on more than €35 million of microstructure and crystallization equipment inherited from parent Fraunhofer IMWS, EN ISO 9001 certification since 2012, and IP including the SegmentPV partial-shading module with AESOLAR and the PIDcon PID quick test.

Name

Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP

Legal name

Fraunhofer-Center für Silizium-Photovoltaik CSP

Website

https://csp.fraunhofer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fraunhofer CSP is a non-profit applied research institute in Halle (Saale), Germany, jointly run by Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer ISE, offering silicon crystallization, wafering, PV module characterization, recycling, and hydrogen-material diagnostics to industrial companies, research institutions, and public bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Photovoltaic Research Services

NAICS

Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Plant Components Supply & Manufacturing (Modules, Cells, Wafers, Mirrors, Heliostats) (EUACAGAK), Performance Optimization & Analytics (Monitoring, Forecasting, Aerial Thermography, IV Curves) (EUACAGAI)

Keywords

• Silicon photovoltaic research
• PV module characterization
• Crystal growth technology
• Solar module recycling
• Hydrogen technology diagnostics

Headquarters

HQ city

Halle (Saale)

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Contract Research (Auftragsforschung): Research services billed to industrial companies on a project basis. First consultation is free. The institute operates with guaranteed confidentiality, continuity in key positions, first-class equipment, and reliable project management.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fraunhofer CSP provides applied contract research and characterization services across the entire silicon photovoltaic value chain, including silicon crystallization (Czochralski, Float-Zone, VGF, SiCma PVT), wafering down to 120 µm, PV module prototyping, comprehensive cell/module diagnostics (optical, electrical, thermal, microstructural), ultratrace analytics via GD-MS, polymer analytics, FEM-based lifetime prediction, and PV module recycling with secondary raw material recovery. The portfolio extends to material diagnostics for hydrogen technologies (PEM/AEM electrolyzers, fuel cells).

Product overview

Fraunhofer CSP is an applied research institute (not a product company) offering a portfolio of crystallization technologies, characterization services, and module development capabilities along the entire photovoltaic value chain. The core crystallization offerings include Czochralski (up to 300 mm diameter), Float-Zone (up to 8"), Vertical Gradient Freeze (G5 multicrystalline), and SiCma Physical Vapor Transport systems for silicon carbide crystal production. Supporting services include silicon wafer and PV module pilot production lines (down to 120 μm wafer thickness), comprehensive solar cell and module characterization (optical, electrical, thermal, microstructural), ultratrace analytics by GD-MS, polymer material analytics with artificial weathering, stochastic strength and FEM-based lifetime prediction, and module recycling that recovers secondary raw materials (silver, copper, silicon, glass) and reuses recovered silicon to produce new PERC cells. The portfolio is extended by material diagnostics for hydrogen technologies (PEM/AEM electrolyzers, fuel cells, photoelectrochemical water splitting) within the H2Giga and H2Mare programs. Fraunhofer CSP is a joint institution of Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer ISE, certified to EN ISO 9001.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Czochralski (Cz) Crystallization Technology Industrial-scale silicon single-crystal growth using the Czochralski method, producing crystals up to 300 mm diameter and 180 kg weight in p-type and n-type variants. Equipment includes EKZ-2700 and EKZ-3500 pullers with optimized hot-zone design, active crystal cooling, and multi-pulling capability from a single crucible. Contract research service for industrial clients in the photovoltaic value chain.
• Float-Zone (FZ) Crystallization Technology Silicon single-crystal growth using the Float-Zone method, producing crystals up to 4 inches (FZ-14) or 8 inches (FZ-35) diameter. FZ crystals achieve the highest carrier lifetimes (>6-8 ms) and solar cell efficiencies due to very low oxygen and carbon concentrations, with doping from the gas phase enabling homogeneous dopant profiles. Contract research service.
• SiCma System (Silicon Carbide Physical Vapor Transport) System for reproducible production of silicon carbide (SiC) crystals using Physical Vapor Transport (PVT). Processes substrates of 100–150 mm (4–6 inches) diameter with inductively heated coil design for high energy efficiency, high automation, and modular expandability. Contract research service.
• Vertical Gradient Freeze (VGF) Multicrystalline Silicon Multicrystalline silicon ingot production using the Vertical Gradient Freeze technique up to G5 size (250 kg melt), available in p-type and n-type variants. Equipment VGF-732 includes residual gas analysis, in-situ crystallization rate measurement, and MKS monitoring. Contract research service.
• Wafer Pilot Line (Ultra-thin Wafer Production) Pilot line for manufacturing monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon wafers down to 120 µm thickness, enabling material-saving wafer production for advanced PV cell architectures. Service for PV manufacturers and equipment developers.
• PV Module Pilot Line Pilot manufacturing line for the production of solar modules, supporting technology development, prototyping, and small-batch production of custom PV module designs. Service for PV manufacturers.
• Up- and Downconversion Glass Technology Processes for the manufacture of glasses for spectral conversion (up-conversion and down-conversion), intended to improve the spectral utilization of sunlight and increase PV module efficiency. R&D service for PV manufacturers.
• Plastic-based PV Module Frames Technology for manufacturing plastic-based frames for solar modules, offering an alternative to traditional aluminum framing with potential for reduced material weight and cost. R&D service for PV manufacturers.
• Solar Cell and Module Characterization and Diagnostics Comprehensive defect and fault localization in solar cells and modules using optical, spectroscopic, thermal, and electrical methods, along with IEC-standard module characterization and accelerated lifetime testing for reliability assessment. Contract research service for PV manufacturers.
• Microstructure Evaluation Electron microscopic, chemical, and electrical analysis of defects and materials at the microstructural level, providing root-cause analysis of failure mechanisms in PV components. Characterization service.
• Ultratrace Analytics Trace element analysis of silicon materials, process and auxiliary substances down to the parts-per-billion (ppb) range using Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry (GD-MS, Thermo Scientific Element GD), enabling purity verification of raw and recycled silicon. Analytical service.
• Stochastic Strength Assessment and FEM Lifetime Prediction Stochastic strength evaluation of silicon wafers, manufacturing stress analysis, and material-mechanics-based Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations to predict module lifetime and break probability under operational conditions. Analytical and modeling service.
• Polymer Analytics and Polymer Aging Assessment Evaluation of process and reliability properties of polymer materials used in PV modules, including gas permeation, thermal analysis, chemical analysis, chromatography, mechanical testing, spectroscopy, artificial weathering, FEM simulation, vacuum lamination, and non-destructive testing. Characterization service.
• PV Module Recycling and Secondary Raw Material Recovery End-of-life PV module recycling processes recovering silver, copper, aluminum, silicon, and glass. Recovered silicon can be re-crystallized into new crystals, processed into wafers, and used to produce new PERC solar cells, demonstrating 100% recycled-silicon PV modules. Includes mechanical disintegration, thermal treatment, wet chemical etching, and GD-MS purity verification. R&D and process development service.
• Material Diagnostics for H2 Technologies Characterization, testing, and development of new materials for fuel cells and electrolyzers (PEM and AEM), including photoelectrochemical water splitting, degradation analysis, H2-LIT membrane hole detection, 3D FIB-Slice-and-View analysis of SOEC electrodes, and FEM simulation. Service within H2Giga, H2Mare, and HyDS research programs.
• PV Systems and PV Integration Research Performance analysis, life-cycle prognosis, and energy systems evaluation of PV devices and systems. Includes outdoor efficiency measurements, test fields, inverter data analysis, and companion research for energy systems, with a particular focus on partial shading optimization and hot-spot avoidance in PV module design. Research service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recovery rate of 80% for end-of-life PV modules (WEEE directive requirement)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered key, supporting and core.

• SOLARWATT GmbHkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Partner in GreenSolarModules project for sustainable solar module development, focusing on environmentally harmful materials avoidance and lifetime energy yield improvement.
• GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbHkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Partner in GreenSolarModules project focusing on glass materials for sustainable solar modules.
• EXXERGY GmbHsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Partner in GreenSolarModules project providing expertise in energy and sustainability assessment.
• Technische Hochschule KölnsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023Academic partner in GreenSolarModules project for sustainable solar module development.
• Fraunhofer IMWS (Institut für Mikrostruktur von Werkstoffen und Systemen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer CSP is a joint institution of Fraunhofer IMWS and Fraunhofer ISE. IMWS provides expertise in optimization and evaluation of silicon process technologies and module integration.
• Fraunhofer ISE (Institut für Solare Energiesysteme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer ISE is Europe's largest solar research institute, providing competencies in materials manufacturing, solar cell and module development, and characterization. Part of the joint institution with IMWS.
• AESOLARkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for SegmentPV project - developing a patented segmented photovoltaic module specifically optimized for partial shading challenges.
• Landesenergieagentur Sachsen-AnhaltkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned to develop an interactive online tool for optimal planning and design of PV systems in Saxony-Anhalt for commercial rooftops.
• H2Giga (FRHY, StacIE projects)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research projects on electrolyzer technology development - FRHY for quality assurance in series production, StacIE for stack scale-up and industrialization of PEM electrolysis.
• H2Mare (H2Wind project)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch project on offshore hydrogen production through water electrolysis, integrating renewable energies.
• EMPOWERkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean-wide project working on a resilient and sustainable European PV value chain of tomorrow.
• APOLLOkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project on proactive approach to recovery and recycling of photovoltaic modules.
• EoL-CyclekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment of an industrial recycling process for PV modules in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISE.
• Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-WittenbergsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for PhD programs and joint research. Multiple staff members completed doctorates at this university.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fraunhofer-center-for-silicon-photovoltaics-csp

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP