Solar Energy Engineering

The "M.Sc. Solar Energy Engineering"is aimed primarily at people with a scientific or technical background and from industrial engineering and management who want to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of solar energy. Specialists from the production or sales of solar systems as well as newcomers in the field of solar energy can gain in-depth background knowledge here. Teachers and researchers as well as committed young scientists can further specialize.

Candidates are required to have a university degree in a scientific or technical discipline (physics, chemistry, electronics, mechanical engineering, material sciences, computer engineering), at least English level B2, plus one year of professional experience. Candidates with an economic background (e.g. industrial engineering) or a broad technical background (e.g. environmental sciences) are asked to contact the Program Coordinator directly and talk about their possibilities.

The Master of Science provides in-depth knowledge in all aspects of solar energy engineering. The program is devided into preparaTORY modules, research projects, mandatory modules as well as elective modules for specialization purposes.

The highlight of the program is a voluntarily campus phase offered at the end of each semester or certificate course. You will get the chance to meet teachers and fellow students personally and experience hands-on training in Fraunhofer ISE’s labs. Invited speakers from science and industry will bring you deeper into the photovoltaics community.

The high quality of the Master program is granted by the accreditation of the agency ACQUIN.

Enjoy a perfect blend of academic and industrial excellence - Fraunhofer ISE and University of Freiburg

Close mentoring and support throughout

Study online, at your own pace, from anywhere in the world

Enjoy the student experience – through regular voluntary campus phases and the option of a research semester at the end of the programme

Gain a duly accredited German Master of Science degree

High employability with an international outlook and outstanding global opportunities

Certificate Overview

Solar cells and photovoltaic systems are high-tech devices, which directly convert sunlight into electricity. The underlying scientific principles of these devices have been researched for decades with even more to come. This certificate condenses the expertise gained over the years to enable a substantial scientific understanding of photovoltaic energy conversion.

Participants gain an overview of the overall system of photovoltaic energy conversion and a detailed scientific foundation of the underlying principles of solar cells. Experienced engineers will be qualified to design and optimize photovoltaic systems and newcomers will be able to understand and enter the photovoltaics sector. Participants will be proficient in explaining the physical and engineering principles, analyzing and assessing new solar cell concepts as well as latest trends in photovoltaics based on the fundamental principles.

Download Brochure

Certificate Overview

This Certificate gives a wide overview on solar thermal systems and their main components.

Download Brochure

Certificate Overview

In this Certificate the students will get an overview about the value chain of silicon solar cells starting from quartz up to the finished module. Students will learn how silicon is produced from quartz and how this silicon is purified, crystallized and cut into wafers. Based on this knowledge, students should be able to develop new and optimized processing sequences and design concepts for silicon solar cells. Finally, students will learn how modules are produced from silicon solar cells and which aspects are particularly important to ensure a long module lifetime. The module contains a laboratory course “Solar Cell Processing” in Fraunhofer ISE labs in Freiburg during the final Campus Phase.

Download Brochure

Certificate Overview

This Certificate provides practical as well as theoretical insights to fundamental knowledge about solar energy and its two significant applications: photovoltaics and thermal energy. As well as comprehensive knowledge about global energy needs in the future. 

Download Brochure

Certificate Overview

Decentralized electricity generation and fluctuating availability pose a challenge on grid stability. This Certificate provides comprehensive understanding of interaction between PV systems and the power grid. It is about control aspects of PV Systems and the integration of a huge amount of PV energy in the electricity grid. Furthermore, this certificate gives a wide overview on smart grid and renewable energy systems. Starting with basic issues of energy and efficiency, grid technology will be discussed to balance complex systems with available storage components.

Download Brochure

Certificate Overview

This Certificate provides comprehensive fundamental understanding of the basics for Si-based, CIGS, and CdTe thin-film solar cells, modules, and module production. With this knowledge students will be able to understand the different types of thin-film solar cells, their role in the PV market and the specific applications in which thin?film solar cells excel. They will also be able to assess present and future novel photovoltaic concepts.

Participants gain a wide overview about existing concepts to overcome the thermodynamic limit for single junction solar cells, the so-called third generation photovoltaics. New techniques in solar cell production which originate from the related fields of microsystems engineering and nanoscience will be introduced. The processes introduced are likely to concern photovoltaic engineers in an upcoming 10-year period.

Download Brochure

Target group:

The certificates "Solar Energy Engineering" are aimed primarily at people with a scientific or technical background and from industrial engineering and management who want to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of solar energy. Specialists from the production or sales of solar systems as well as newcomers in the field of solar energy can gain in-depth background knowledge here. Teachers and researchers as well as committed young scientists can further specialize.

Degree:

Certificates  of Advanced Studies (CAS) of the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg in collaboration with Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. All Certificates can be studied individually. After successful completion of 3 CAS a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) can be issued. Certificates can be credited towards the Master Program at a later stage.

Admission criteria

Familiar with photovoltaics or semiconductor physics and devices.