--- title: About Fraunhofer description: Located in Boston and Albuquerque, Fraunhofer CSE is one of seven centers of Fraunhofer USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit contract R&D organization. --- [![](https://www.cmi.fraunhofer.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Fraunhofer%20USA%20transparent%20bg-1.png?width=4927&height=1348&name=Fraunhofer%20USA%20transparent%20bg-1.png)](http://cmi.fraunhofer.org) - [Blog](http://www.cleantechnotes.org) - [Living Lab](http://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/living-lab) - [Jobs/Career](http://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/jobs-careers) - [Contact](http://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/contact) ## About Fraunhofer # *Building tomorrow’s energy future today* The **Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE** is an applied research and development laboratory dedicated to building tomorrow’s energy future today. Our staff’s expertise in solar photovoltaics, smart energy-efficient buildings, and grid technologies provides a platform for deeply integrating distributed energy resources through collaborative R&D with private companies, government entities, and academic institutions. Fraunhofer CSE is one of seven centers of Fraunhofer USA Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit contract R&D organization. Fraunhofer USA Inc. works closely with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's largest contract R&D organization. ##### Fraunhofer CSE's Impact** #### Delivering Measurable Value to Clients and Stakeholders Since 2008, Fraunhofer CSE has: - Delivered an overall **9-to-1 return** on Commonwealth of Massachusetts initial investment in CSE, measured by research and other funding won  - Provided research, evaluation, and technology validation for **over 30 early-stage cleantech companies**, who have since collectively raised over **$186 million from investors** - Worked with dozens corporate partners, including **Fortune 500 companies** such as **Dow Corning**, **Eversource**, **National Grid**, **Shell** and **DSM** - Provided **~80 job-years** of hands-on engineering and science training for more than **130 young technologists and entrepreneurs** - **Filed and licensed patents** about materials science, manufacturing metrology, energy data analytics, and PV installation technologies - Led a **U.S. Department of Energy-funded** Plug-and-Play Photovoltaic research team to reduce costs of residential PV and foster wider adoption of solar power in the US - Established a **50,000 SF living laboratory** for building technologies and energy efficiency in Boston’s Innovation District, showcasing a low-energy cooling system, and a solar-powered, net-zero elevator - **Delivered over 100 presentations and addresses** at leading venues such as the National Academy of Sciences, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S. Energy Information Administration, ACEEE, and IEEE ## [Fraunhofer USA](http://www.fraunhofer.org/) [Fraunhofer USA, Inc.](http://www.Fraunhofer.org) (FhUSA) is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit charitable organization incorporated in Rhode Island that is dedicated to the advancement of applied research. FhUSA was founded in 1994 to conduct applied R&D for customers from industry and state governments and the federal government in the United States. Working closely with [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft](http://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html), Europe’s largest research and development organization and its sole corporate member, Fraunhofer USA can offer both domestic and international resources to enhance its portfolio of R&D services. ## [Fraunhofer ISE](http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en.html) Fraunhofer CSE operates in close collaboration with the [Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE](http://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en.html) in Freiburg, Germany. Fraunhofer ISE creates the technological foundations for supplying energy efficiently and on an environmentally sound basis in industrialized, threshold and developing countries. With its research focusing on energy conversion, energy efficiency, energy distribution and energy storage, it contributes to the broad application of new technology. Fraunhofer ISE develops materials, components, systems and processes in five business areas. In addition to its R&D, the institute offers testing and certification procedures. Furthermore, it features an excellent laboratory infrastructure and is certified according to the quality management standard, DIN EN ISO 9001:2008. Founded in 1981, Fraunhofer ISE, with a staff of approximately 1100, is the largest solar research institute in Europe.   ## [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft](http://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html) Research of practical utility lies at the heart of all activities pursued by the [Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft](http://www.fraunhofer.de/en.html). Founded in 1949, the research organization undertakes applied research that drives economic development and serves the wider benefit of society. Its services are solicited by customers and contractual partners in industry, the service sector and public administration. At present, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft maintains 72 institutes and research units. The majority are located in Germany, with additional centers and representative offices in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the US. In total, Fraunhofer employs more than 26,600 people worldwide, most of which are qualified engineers and scientists. Its research efforts are geared entirely to people’s needs: health, security, communication, energy and the environment. As a result, the work undertaken by their researchers and developers has a significant impact on people’s lives. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's motto: We are creative. We shape technology. We design products. We improve methods and techniques. We open up new vistas. In short, we forge the future. - © 2026 Fraunhofer USA - [Site map](http://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/site-map) - [Intranet](http://www.fraunhofer.org/en/fraunhofer-usa-file-share-.html) - [Terms of Service](http://www.fraunhofer.org/en/publishing-notes.html) - [Data Protection](https://www.cse.fraunhofer.org/dataprotection)