U.S. solar cell manufacturer solar cells Talon PV has partnered with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Germany. The alliance is centered on a pilot plant at the PV-TEC center in Freiburg, Germany, which will serve as a technological twin to the future 4 GW factory the company is building in Houston, Texas.
Thanks to this facility, Talon PV will be able to optimize both its product design and manufacturing processes before starting mass production scheduled for the end of 2026.
Fraunhofer ISE has incorporated into its pilot line the same equipment that will be used in the U.S. plant, allowing it to simulate real operating conditions and train personnel in the use of the technologies.
TOPCon G12 cells and focus on emerging technologies
The pilot plant is producing TOPCon solar cells in G12 format, one of the most advanced architectures with the largest market share today. Fraunhofer ISE, a pioneer of this technology, reinforces its role as a key partner in the development of high-performance photovoltaic solutions outside the Asian context.
In addition to enabling improvements in end-product efficiency, the collaboration also envisages the development of new technologies, such as perovskite-silicon-based tandem cells. The shared vision between Talon PV and Fraunhofer ISE aims to maintain innovative capacity as the market evolves.
Strengthening the U.S. solar supply chain.
Talon PV’s ultimate goal is to supply U.S. module manufacturers with customized solar cells, including G12, G12R and variant formats. TOPCon variants variants. This strategy strengthens domestic production capacity and helps reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in a critical sector for the energy transition.
The knowledge generated on the German pilot line will continue to fuel technological development even after the start-up of the Texas plant. In the meantime, the Fraunhofer ISE team will present a detailed overview of PV factory concepts and technology selection criteria at RE+ 2025 in Las Vegas.
Source and photo: Fraunhofer ISE
