Fraunhofer CSE demos ‘plug and play’ PV

June 17, 2016
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The project partners include National Grid, SunPower and lightweight module manufacturer Lumeta. Source: Fraunhofer CSE.

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) has demonstrated two plug and play solar systems at its 2016 Demo Day, the next stop in the technology's route to commercialisation.

The project is funded by the US department of energy’s Sunshot Initiative that is looking to reduce the installed cost of residential solar to US$1.50/W by 2020.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

As part of the demo, a string inverter based system was installed in under 75 minutes. A micro inverter install was also demonstrated. Further pilots systems will be rolled out in various parts of the US through 2017.

The project partners include National Grid, SunPower and lightweight module manufacturer Lumeta.

“We have taken the Plug and Play PV approach to the next level by demonstrating that different technology approaches can meet the vision with simplified installation, simplified inspection, and electronic permitting, inspection and interconnection,” said Dr. Christian Hoepfner, executive director, Fraunhofer CSE and principal investigator on the Plug and Play PV project. “This opens the path for many manufacturers to develop and offer Plug and Play PV systems.” 

16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

October 23, 2025
US solar manufacturer T1 Energy sold approximately 725MW of solar modules in Q3 2025, as it continues to expand US manufacturing capabilities.
October 22, 2025
Recurrent Energy, Ampliform and Dimension Energy have announced new financing rounds this month for US solar projects.
October 22, 2025
Leeward Renewable Energy has started commercial operations at its 177MW Ridgely solar project in the US state of Tennessee.
October 22, 2025
US thin-film manufacturer First has revealed another transfer of its 45X manufacturing tax credits in a deal worth around US$775 million.
October 22, 2025
Abigail Ross Hopper, the president and CEO of US trade association the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), has decided to step down from her roles at the end of January 2026.
October 21, 2025
Cypress Creek Renewables has achieved financial close on its 75MW Sundance solar-plus-storage project in Elbert County, Colorado.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal