SPF Institute for Solar Technology
The Institut für Solartechnik SPF (Institute for Solar Technology) is part of the Hochschule für Technik in Rapperswil (HSR) and employs today a staff of 30 people. Since it`s inception in 1981 it has conducted research on and dealt with all aspects of solar thermal energy and associated issues in three distinct departments: SPF Testing: Testing of materials, components, tanks, collectors and systems according to international and in-house developed standards. SPF Research: Applied research within the framework of national and international projects and in order of industry. SPF Transfer of knowledge: Teaching for HSR students, advanced training for technical staff, conferences and workshops.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Solar Energy
- Market Focus:
- Internationally (various countries)
- Year Founded:
- 1981
This company also provides solutions for other industrial applications.
Please, visit the following links for more info:
About Us
Our goal is a sustainable energy supply in a livable environment and we are convinced, this can be achieved through the usage of renewable energy and in particular through solar power. Renewable energy allows industrialized nations to reduce their CO₂-Emissions as well as their dependency on fossil fuel. Especially, solar energy is a reliable source of heat and electricity in rural areas and also enables a cost effective and reliable energy supply for everyone in an economical, ecological and social way.
The SPF has been a driving force in research and development of innovative energy technologies with a general focus in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology and a particular focus in solar thermal and solar electrical energy. We are a motivated and qualified team working on innovative projects and support the industry in the development and testing of new products.
We are looking forward to tackle the upcoming energy challenge together with you and your idea.
Research, development, testing
The SPF Institute for Solar Technology was founded in 1981 and is part of the HSR University of Applied Sciences located in Rapperswil at the lake of Zurich.
Currently, 40 employees focus on various topics in the field of renewable energy technology and run an internationally accredited test laboratory.
More information about SPF can be found under the following categories:
SPF Research – `Off the beaten track`
Since 1981 SPF has engaged in applied research and development projects in the field of solar thermal energy. We draw on experience in national and international research projects on subjects ranging from solar thermal components and systems (heat supply for residential and office buildings, local/district heating, process heat) to innovative energy supply concepts for sustainable and solar thermal water treatment (pasteurization, desalination).
We provide consultancy to industrial companies and support these in the development and optimization of systems and components. Thanks to our comprehensive specialized infrastructure and our elaborate measuring technologies, we are able to flexibly and accurately detect all relevant thermal and hydrodynamic properties. As far as analysis is concerned we rely on a wide range of methods to design innovative approaches to product development.
Public bodies and agencies rely on our expertise both for ombudsman issues and strategic decisions. Our long experience and international recognition enable us, if needed, to develop new test methods, adapt them to specific issues and incorporate them into existing standardization processes.
SPF Research is networked worldwide. For example, SPF is currently involved in the following working groups within the framework of the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme:
- Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (Task 38)
- Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications (Task 39)
- Compact Thermal Energy Storage (Task 42)
- Solar Rating and Certification Procedure (Task 43)
- Combined Solar Thermal and Heat Pump Systems (Task 44)