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The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is investing in a new solar research center in South America. The aim of the new Fraunhofer Center for Solar Energy Technologies, founded by the Fraunhofer Chile Research Foundation and located in Santiago de Chile, is to better exploit the solar energy potential in the sun-rich country, thereby reducing the dependence on fossil fuels.
With particular emphasis on regional implementation, the focus shall be on the further development of solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies and applications with partners from research and industry. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Chile Research Center for Solar Energy Technologies (FCR-CSET), the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile will together perform research on electricity and heat production using solar energy.
“We hope they will contribute not only to the development of the renewable energies in Chile, but also to the emergence of an industry that can lead our country towards a solar economy,” said Jimena Jara, Chilean undersecretary of energy.
The main focus at FCR-CSET will be the production and storage of electricity and process heat as well as water treatment using solar energy. First projects are to gather reliable radiation data for future solar power plants and to monitor a solar process heat system installed at a winery.
“For many reasons, Chile is an interesting location for solar energy,” said Dr. Andreas Häberle, director of the FCR-CSET. “The country of Chile has the highest global direct solar radiation in the world. At the same time, the Chilean climate places high demands on the reliability of materials and components.”
With particular emphasis on regional implementation, the focus shall be on the further development of solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies and applications with partners from research and industry. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Chile Research Center for Solar Energy Technologies (FCR-CSET), the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile will together perform research on electricity and heat production using solar energy.
“We hope they will contribute not only to the development of the renewable energies in Chile, but also to the emergence of an industry that can lead our country towards a solar economy,” said Jimena Jara, Chilean undersecretary of energy.
The main focus at FCR-CSET will be the production and storage of electricity and process heat as well as water treatment using solar energy. First projects are to gather reliable radiation data for future solar power plants and to monitor a solar process heat system installed at a winery.
“For many reasons, Chile is an interesting location for solar energy,” said Dr. Andreas Häberle, director of the FCR-CSET. “The country of Chile has the highest global direct solar radiation in the world. At the same time, the Chilean climate places high demands on the reliability of materials and components.”