SPF Institut für SolartechnikProjektleiter SPF
+41 58 257 41 66lukas.omlin@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.
Within the EU project Hybrid-BioVGE an innovative system for heating and cooling is developed. The cooling device is based on a Variable Geometry Ejection (VGE) cooler. Driving energy is heat from solar collectors or from biomass. SPF is supporting the development of collectors that deliver heat at 75 – 90 °C, and is testing the heating and cooling system with the established Concise Cycle Test (CCT) method. This method is specifically adapted in order to be able to test also cooling systems.
The project is supported by the research programme H2020 of the European Union – grant agreement ID: 818012, acronym Hybrid-BioVGE