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)