SPF Institute for Solar Technology

What SPF Institute for Solar Technology does

SPF Institut für Solartechnik (SPF Institute for Solar Technology) is a research institute established in 1981 and embedded within OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences), a Swiss public university of applied sciences. Headquartered on the OST Campus Rapperswil-Jona at Lake Zurich, the institute employs approximately 36–50 staff and operates two core functions: a broadly oriented research laboratory for renewable energies and an internationally accredited testing laboratory for solar thermal collectors with dedicated test roof facilities.

SPF's core technology portfolio spans solar thermal systems, photovoltaic technologies, energy storage, sector coupling solutions that integrate heat, electricity, and mobility sectors, and cooling systems using natural refrigerants with low global warming potential. Notable proprietary offerings include modular container systems providing autonomous power, clean drinking water, and heating/cooling for hospitals in rural Africa (developed under the EU-funded SophiA project), and overall energy management systems for sector coupling applications. The institute's testing laboratory provides internationally recognized performance verification and certification for solar thermal collectors and related renewable energy components.

SPF generates revenue through two primary streams: government and EU-funded research grants (including multi-year initiatives like SophiA under EU Horizon 2020) and accredited testing and certification services for solar industry manufacturers. The go-to-market is event-driven and collaboration-based, with customer engagement through research partnerships, industry testing contracts, professional symposia such as the annual Solar Energy and Heat Pump Symposium, and continuing education courses. Customer segments include solar thermal and PV manufacturers requiring certification, international development organizations funding off-grid healthcare projects, and energy utilities and municipalities implementing sector coupling and renewable energy transition initiatives. As a university research institute within a public Swiss university, SPF does not have independent ownership; it operates as an organizational unit of OST, serving the six eastern Swiss cantons and the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Name

SPF Institute for Solar Technology

Legal name

SPF Institut für Solartechnik

Website

https://spf.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SPF Institute for Solar Technology is a Swiss university research institute within OST that conducts applied solar and renewable energy R&D and operates an internationally accredited testing laboratory for solar thermal collectors. It serves solar manufacturers, utilities, and international development organizations through grants and certification services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar Technology Research and Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Solar Grid Integration & Interconnection Services (Studies, Protection, SCADA, Forecasting) (EUAMABAI)

Keywords

• Solar thermal research
• Collector testing services
• Renewable energy laboratory
• Sector coupling solutions
• Photovoltaic systems testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapperswil-Jona

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Funding and Grants: Government-funded research projects including EU-funded initiatives like the SophiA project for sustainable healthcare solutions in Africa
2. Testing and Certification Services: Internationally accredited testing laboratory services for solar thermal collectors and other renewable energy technologies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SPF Institute for Solar Technology operates a research laboratory and an internationally accredited testing laboratory focused on solar thermal technology, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and sector coupling solutions. The institute conducts applied research, provides accredited performance testing and certification for solar thermal collectors, and develops off-grid energy systems such as the SophiA modular container systems for healthcare facilities in Africa.

Product overview

The SPF Institute for Solar Technology is a research institute within OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (Eastern Swiss University of Applied Sciences), established in 1981. The institute operates a broadly oriented research laboratory for renewable energies and an internationally accredited testing laboratory. Core offerings include solar technology research services, collector testing, and professional training courses. The institute focuses on sector coupling (connecting heat, electricity, and mobility) and contributes to the renewable energy transition through applied research, testing, and knowledge transfer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SPF Research Services Applied research in solar technology, renewable energies, and energy systems conducted by researchers in a broadly oriented research laboratory, covering solar thermal technology, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and sector coupling applications.
• SPF Testing Laboratory Services Internationally accredited testing laboratory providing performance testing and certification services for solar thermal collectors and related renewable energy components, including the dedicated Kollektortestdach (collector test roof) at OST Campus Rapperswil-Jona.
• SPF Events and Training Courses Professional courses and events including the annual Solar Energy and Heat Pumps symposium and sector coupling training courses for renewable energy professionals.
• SophiA Modular Container Systems Self-contained modular systems providing autonomous power, clean drinking water, and heating/cooling for hospitals and pharmacies in rural Africa, developed through the EU Horizon 2020 funded SophiA project with pilot installations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Uganda, and Malawi.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully deployed autonomous energy systems serving hospitals and healthcare facilities in 4 African countries

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SophiA Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025EU Horizon 2020 funded initiative for sustainable off-grid solutions for hospitals and pharmacies in Africa. Pilot installations deployed in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Uganda, and Malawi. Containers built by local company in South Africa following open-source guidelines.
• Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Lead partner in the EU-funded SophiA project developing modular container systems for autonomous healthcare facility energy supply. HKA contributed cooling systems expertise for medicine and vaccine storage using natural refrigerants. Collaboration spanned from initial concept in October 2020 through project completion in 2025.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE): Germany's leading applied solar energy research institute with testing, certification, and R&D capabilities across PV, solar thermal, and energy systems. Highly comparable to SPF in mission, scope (testing lab + research), and European public-research-institute structure.
• AIT Austrian Institute of Technology: Austria's largest non-university research organization, with energy and sustainability programs covering solar technologies, grid integration, and sector coupling. Comparable as a public applied-research peer with European funding exposure.
• CSEM (Centre Suisse d'Électronique et de Microtechnique): Swiss applied research center with significant activity in photovoltaics, energy systems, and sustainable technologies. Comparable as a Swiss public/private research peer with industry-facing services.
• EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology): Swiss federal research institute covering energy materials, building energy systems, and renewable technologies. Geographically and institutionally closest peer to SPF within Switzerland, with overlapping solar and energy-storage research.
• Institute for Solar Energy Research Hameln (ISFH): German research institute focused on solar thermal, PV, and building-integrated renewables, with significant testing and certification activities. Directly comparable to SPF in technical focus and applied-research orientation.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV Rheinland: Global testing, inspection, and certification giant that offers solar component testing and certification services. Comparable as a larger commercial incumbent operating in SPF's accreditation-driven testing market.
• Intertek: Multinational testing and certification group active across renewable energy, including solar component testing. Comparable as a global commercial alternative to SPF's accredited testing services.
• TÜV SÜD: Global TIC provider offering solar module and renewable energy testing/certification. Comparable as a large-scale incumbent competing in the same accreditation space as SPF's testing laboratory.
• VDE Prüf- und Zertifizierungsinstitut: European testing and certification body with deep solar PV and energy systems certification offerings. Comparable as an established certification competitor with broader scope than SPF.
• DNV (Energy Testing & Certification): Global assurance and certification company with growing renewable energy testing services. Comparable as a broad incumbent expanding into SPF's solar certification niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spf-institut-f-r-solartechnik

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SPF Institute for Solar Technology