The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) successfully completed the first public installation and interconnection of its Plug and Play PV Systems, a novel residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system, the center announced last week.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initative, the Plug and Play System is a holistic approach to residential PV that will dramatically help reduce the total installed costs of solar electricity by 2020, from $4.00/Watt installed to $1.50/Watt. Incorporating innovative technologies with a PV system architecture that simplifies interconnection, permitting and inspection, Fraunhofer CSE developed a system design that addresses all aspects of the solar purchasing and installation process.

The Plug and Play system is centered around ease of use and installation to encourage people to adopt solar. Once commercially available, homeowners will be able to go to their local building supply stores, purchase the PV systems, and install them in less than 10 hours. In a media statement, CSE likened the ease of the installation process to installing a washer /dryer combination.

Fraunhofer CSE has been working closely with a number of commercialization partners and other stakeholders, including the City of Boston, local Massachusetts jurisdictions (including the towns of Dartmouth and Falmouth), and New England utilities like Northeast Utilities, National Grid, and Green Mountain Power.

About the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE)

The Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) is a non-profit applied research and development laboratory dedicated to fostering economic development through the commercialization of clean energy technologies for the benefit of society. With a focus in building energy technologies, solar photovoltaics, distributed electrical energy systems, start-up assistance, and technical validation, Fraunhofer CSE engages in collaborative research with private companies, government entities, and academic institutions. Fraunhofer CSE is a subsidiary of Fraunhofer USA and affiliated with Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Europe’s largest contract R&D organization.

Fraunhofer USA, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, is a subsidiary of Fraunhofer.

Source: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.