May 7, 2026

Fraunhofer ISE Opens Pero-Si-SCALE Lab to Accelerate Perovskite-Silicon Tandem PV Commercialization

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has inaugurated a new laboratory aimed at accelerating the commercialization of tandem perovskite-silicon photovoltaic technology, according to the institute.

The facility, named ‘Pero-Si-SCALE’, is designed to provide research and development infrastructure for companies within the German and broader European PV sector. Its stated purpose is to expedite the market introduction of industrial tandem PV products while mitigating technological and financial uncertainties.

Fraunhofer ISE explained that the lab will enable solar cell and module manufacturers to access industry-standard production methods. This will allow them to scale new tandem cell architectures to larger formats, conduct analysis, and integrate them into modules.

During the opening, Fraunhofer ISE emphasized the potential of combining silicon and perovskite technologies. The institute noted that placing a perovskite cell, which is only 500 nanometers thick, onto a standard silicon solar cell could raise the cell’s theoretical efficiency ceiling from 29.4 percent to 43.3 percent.

Stefan Glunz, who heads the photovoltaics division at Fraunhofer ISE, stated that photovoltaic research is far from complete. He added that tandem solar cells are instrumental in achieving higher efficiency, which translates to more solar energy generation per unit area and reduced material consumption.

The Pero-Si-SCALE lab builds upon earlier laboratory developments, transferring novel cell designs to industrial formats—up to a wafer size of 210 by 210 square millimeters—through scalable, high-throughput manufacturing techniques. Alongside production technologies for perovskite-silicon cells and modules, the lab also offers a comprehensive characterization and analysis platform.

Fraunhofer ISE described its approach as following a ‘hybrid route’, which integrates vacuum and wet chemical processes in the production of perovskite-silicon tandem cells. The institute reported that this technology has already yielded peak efficiencies exceeding 33 percent on a laboratory scale.

A key advantage of this method, according to Fraunhofer ISE, is that standard, textured silicon solar cells from the industry remain usable. This allows for direct compatibility with existing solar cell standards and results in a higher energy yield from the tandem modules.

The lab’s opening occurs during a challenging period for Europe’s PV manufacturing sector, which has been losing market ground to China despite revival efforts.

Andreas Bett, institute director of Fraunhofer ISE, stated that perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells present an opportunity for European industrial PV manufacturing to re-enter or enter the market.

Fraunhofer has previously achieved notable progress in this field. In 2024, the institute disclosed details of a full-sized tandem module developed with perovskite specialist Oxford PV, which achieved a record efficiency of 25 percent.

This report provides a comprehensive view of the solar cells and light-emitting diodes industry in Germany, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.

Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes landscape in Germany.

Quick navigation

Key findings

• Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
• Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
• Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
• Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
• The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.

Report scope

The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for Germany. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.

• Market size and growth in value and volume terms
• Consumption structure by end-use segments
• Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
• Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
• Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
• Competitive context and market entry conditions

Product coverage

• Prodcom 26112220 — Semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• Prodcom 26112240 — Photosensitive semiconductor devices, solar cells, photodiodes, p hoto-transistors, etc.

Country coverage

Country profile and benchmarks

This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Germany. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.

Methodology

The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.

• International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
• National production and consumption statistics
• Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
• Price series and unit value benchmarks
• Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation

All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.

Forecasts to 2035

The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links solar cells and light-emitting diodes demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in Germany.

• Historical baseline: 2012-2025
• Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
• Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
• Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies

Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.

Price analysis and trade dynamics

Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.

• Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
• Export and import unit value trends
• Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
• Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions

Profiles of market participants

Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.

• Business focus and production capabilities
• Geographic reach and distribution networks
• Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
• Compliance, certification, and sustainability context

How to use this report

• Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
• Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
• Track price dynamics and protect margins
• Benchmark performance against leading competitors
• Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of solar cells and light-emitting diodes dynamics in Germany.

FAQ

What is included in the solar cells and light-emitting diodes market in Germany?

The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.

How are the forecasts to 2035 built?

The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.

Does the report cover prices and margins?

Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.

Which benchmarks are included?

The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for Germany.

Can this report support market entry decisions?

Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.

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