Professor Dr. Volker Wittwer, deputy director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE and supernumerary professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany celebrated his 65th birthday and retired from his position at the end of June. He will continue to consult with the institute, but will no longer serve as director to follow German service regulations.
For over 24 years, he headed the solar and thermal energy department of Fraunhofer ISE, and for 12 years he has served as their Deputy Director. Since earning his PhD in 1974, Wittwer has won a number of awards, including the “Solar Heating and Cooling Award” of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the “Spirit of Energy” prize. Additionally, he has lectured as a supernumerary professor since 2006 and served on the editorial boards of Solar Energy and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells magazines.
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A fellow Fraunhofer professor remarked that Wittwer was “the ideal personification of a very successful Fraunhofer researcher. Throughout his Fraunhofer career he consistently thought about both science and innovation, and by always keeping sight of concrete applications, he brought science and innovation together in a perfect way.” The institute is sad to see a member like Wittwer go, but looks forward to their future cooperation.
