Photovoltaic systems quality
Development of new test methodologies to establish the durability and reliability of photovoltaic modules.
Discover more
Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC)
Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC)
The Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC) promotes the energy transition towards a zero-emission society based on an inter - and transdisciplinary approach in the areas of characterisation and reliability of photovoltaics and their integration in the building, intelligent management of renewable energy in the grid, energy efficiency of buildings and their maintenance. The complex energy transition also includes the proposal of more sustainable choices and lifestyles, involving local and civil society stakeholders.
Research projects are based on a wide range of up-to-date methods and benefit from fruitful collaborations with other research units, public bodies, non-governmental organisations and industry. The Institute also promotes technology transfer to a number of countries in the global south. Research applied to the built environment is carried out in the following areas.
Mission and goals
100% renewable energy. The institute's mission is to contribute to the energy transition, to replace the use of fossil and nuclear energy with renewable energy, reducing environmental and health impacts and global climate change effects.
Department of belonging
Department of Environment Constructions and Design
Institute Director
Roman Rudel
Head of Photovoltaics Sector
Mauro Caccivio
Head of Energy Sustainability and Territory Sector
Nerio Cereghetti
Head of Building System Sector
Francesco Frontini
Head of Energy Systems Sector
Vasco Medici
The institute has a laboratory and two competence centres:
SUPSI PVLab Laboratory
Centre for Development and Cooperation
Radon Competence Centre
The institute also has two spin-offs:
HivePower: solutions for consumer communities based on Blockchain technology
iWin: an innovative window solution that integrates thin-film photovoltaic cells into venetian blinds enclosed within an insulating window.
Department of Environment Constructions and Design
Institute Director
Roman Rudel
Head of Photovoltaics Sector
Mauro Caccivio
Head of Energy Sustainability and Territory Sector
Nerio Cereghetti
Head of Building System Sector
Francesco Frontini
Head of Energy Systems Sector
Vasco Medici
The institute has a laboratory and two competence centres:
SUPSI PVLab Laboratory
Centre for Development and Cooperation
Radon Competence Centre
The institute also has two spin-offs:
HivePower: solutions for consumer communities based on Blockchain technology
iWin: an innovative window solution that integrates thin-film photovoltaic cells into venetian blinds enclosed within an insulating window.
The Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment offers services in the fields of renewable energies, rational use of energy, energy efficiency, including the renovation and maintenance of buildings, regional and local energy planning based on environmental, economic and social criteria.
Results19
Analysis and monitoring of photovoltaic systems
Photovoltaic systems are built to last. However, the performance of a system indicated by the manufacturer does not always turn out to be that achieved in the actual system.
BiPV
All applied research and innovation services dedicated to the integration of photovoltaics in architecture and construction.
Corporate ecological footprint
The management of natural resources is a major global challenge. This challenge does not only concern international and national politics, but also every individual, entity and company.
InfraWatt Competence Centre
Initial advice on energy in infrastructure is offered.
EPIQR+ analysis
The analysis EPIQR+ is an analysis of the state of deterioration, energy and maintenance of an individual building or a more complex building complex.
Field testing
The SUPSI PVLab laboratory offers numerous services to the local area. These include a series of field testings.
Geothermal energy
The Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment provides services related to geothermal energy, geothermal system sizing and simulation for performance evaluation of systems using geothermal probes or energy piles.
Indoor testing - electrical and mechanical safety
The SUPSI PVLab laboratory offers numerous services to the local area. Among these a series of tests that focus on electrical and mechanical safety.
The Institute is active in continuing education by offering Advanced Studies and short courses in the areas of environment, construction, energy and land, cooperation and development. In addition, the Institute promotes outreach activities with schools through engaging educational activities.
The Institute has been collaborating with various research institutes in Switzerland and abroad for many years.
The Institute works closely with representatives of Swiss public administrations such as the Federal Office of Energy (FOE), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the Federal Office for Housing (FOH) and the Section for Air, Water and Soil Protection (SPAAS), the Logistics Section and the DEAS of the Canton of Ticino. Many references in various research areas developed with regional, national and even international companies.
As a representative of Italian-speaking Switzerland, ISAAC is an active member of the BRENET (Building and Renewable Energies Network of Technology) competence network, the Swissolar association, Bauen Digital Schweiz. Swissengineering and Swissphotonic. We also collaborate with various associations and groups such as: Activehouse, Ecobau, EUREC, Solar Power Europe, ISES (international Solar Energy Society), Energo, Ticinoenergia, InfraWatt.
Main partners:
The Institute works closely with representatives of Swiss public administrations such as the Federal Office of Energy (FOE), the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the Federal Office for Housing (FOH) and the Section for Air, Water and Soil Protection (SPAAS), the Logistics Section and the DEAS of the Canton of Ticino. Many references in various research areas developed with regional, national and even international companies.
As a representative of Italian-speaking Switzerland, ISAAC is an active member of the BRENET (Building and Renewable Energies Network of Technology) competence network, the Swissolar association, Bauen Digital Schweiz. Swissengineering and Swissphotonic. We also collaborate with various associations and groups such as: Activehouse, Ecobau, EUREC, Solar Power Europe, ISES (international Solar Energy Society), Energo, Ticinoenergia, InfraWatt.
Main partners:
Latest news
No contents available
Our agenda
No contents available
L’Istituto sostenibilità applicata all'ambiente costruito ha sede presso il Campus SUPSI di Mendrisio.
Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment
University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland
Campus SUPSI Mendrisio
Via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15
CH-6850 Mendrisio