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Test Reports
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Software
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Services
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Research
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Institute SPF
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An Introduction to the Institut für Solartechnik SPF |
Goal and purpose
The Institut für Solartechnik SPF is part of the Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil HSR. The Institute has been engaged in applied research and development on thermal solar technology since 1981. Around 20 members of staff (engineers, physicists and technicians) are occupied in the following areas:
- Materials and components (absorber coatings, substrates, covers, pumps, compensators)
- Collectors (flat-plate and tubular collectors, liquid and gaseous heat transfer media, concentrating configurations)
- Systems (solar domestic hot water systems, combined systems for space heating and hot water, solar cooling)
- Information technology (Software ""Polysun"" to calculate and optimize collector systems)
SPF is involved in technology transfer between research and development centres on the one hand, and trade and industry on the other. In doing so, SPF acts as a link between users, investors, educational institutions, manufacturers and installation tradespeople.
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Fig.1: Measuring devices on the roof of the Institute SPF in Rapperswil, Switzerland.
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The Swiss Federal Office for Energy (BFE) has been a major source of commissions for the Institute since its inception. Thanks to long-term research commissions from BFE, the Institute was able to develop to an internationally recognized centre of expertise. As the number of industrial commissions has increased, the proportion of public funding has decreased. This is in accordance with the aims of BFE, that applied research and development should increasingly be financed by industry. |
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