SPF Institut für SolartechnikWissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter SPF
+41 58 257 48 24felix.flueckiger@ost.ch
There is a lack of knowledge on the lifetime assessment of modern solar selective absorbers. In the project ColourAge, the performance and durability of different aluminium based coatings are studied. The combined effect of high humidity, condensation and temperature on the degradation of optical and chemical properties is assessed. Advanced techniques for materials characterization were used to identify the main degradation mechanisms: surface/interface (XPS, TEM) and chemical (EDX) analysis, as well as optical measurements (UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy).
Since October 2021 the Institute for Solar Technology SPF is working in an international team for the EU-funded project SophiA. The focus is on sustainable, off-grid supply solutions for healthcare facilities in Africa.
Solar-based systems will be used to provide electricity, heating, cooling and clean water in container modules for remote regions.
The are no universal guidelines or thresholds for reflected sunlight in the public space. In this project, physical parameters for an objective description and quantification of a «discomfort glare» from reflected sunlight are elaborated. Furthermore, the scattered reflection (bidirectional reflectance distribution function, BRDF) of several glass types and other materials of the building envelope is measured in order to generate an extensive database. This database can help to evaluate the «discomfort glare» from solar installations and other surfaces of the building envelope already in the planning phase. New materials or surfaces can be compared with standard materials of the database in order to assess their effect concerning glare from reflected sunlight.