Press Release

Fraunhofer TechBridge launches SunRISE Challenge, seeking innovations in solar energy

Fraunhofer TechBridge is now accepting applications for the SunRISE TechBridge Challenge, in partnership with Royal DSM and Greentown Labs.
Fraunhofer USA
The SunRISE TechBridge Challenge is seeking innovations in materials and technologies that will enable the reduction of levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for photovoltaic (PV) systems, and consequently increase the penetration of affordable PV. Solar energy has become an important source in the global energy mix over the past decade. For solar energy to reach grid parity and become cost competitive with fossil fuel-based generation on a global scale, it is necessary to lower the LCOE of solar PV.

  • Improving cell-to-module conversion efficiency
  • Reducing the overall lifetime cost of module materials per unit energy through novel materials
  • Retrofit solutions to reduce operation and maintenance costs
  • Technologies enabling non-traditional solar deployment
  • Business models that integrate solar PV with energy storage
Winning applicants will be eligible for one or more of the following awards:
  • Up to $100,000 in technical validation services from the world-renowned Fraunhofer R&D network
  • Greentown Launch incubation and acceleration program at Greentown Labs, up to $130,000 value in in-kind tools, products, and services
  • Partnership and/or a project with DSM
  • Venture investment from DSM
  • Applicants will be evaluated based on the potential impact of their solution, with a key parameter being the LCOE.
Proposals are due by March 16, 2016 at: www.FhTechBridgeChallenge.org/SunRISE. Awardees’ intellectual property is fully protected throughout the process.