Photovoltaics
Switzerland's only ISO 170125 accredited laboratory supports the photovoltaic industry by developing new testing and characterisation methods to establish the efficiency, durability and reliability of photovoltaic modules.
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.
This page brings together some relevant information and presents it in a concise manner. Detailed information about the Institute of Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment is available by visiting the Institute's website.
Disciplinary fields
Energy systems
Analyses and optimises advanced energy systems integrating renewable energy production and studies changes due to technological, economic and social factors supporting the energy transition.
Building system
Deals with the analysis, management and sustainable development of real estate in a circular building vision and considering the integration of photovoltaics as an architectural and renewable energy production element.
Energy, sustainability and territory
Promotes energy efficiency and sustainable transition through the development of local and regional policies with the involvement of users and all actors involved in the transition.
The institute includes the photovoltaic laboratory and two competence centres:
SUPSI PVLab Laboratory
SUPSI PVLab is the only Swiss laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 for testing photovoltaic modules.
Centre for Development and Cooperation (CDC)
The SUPSI Centre for Development and Cooperation is active in the four institutional mandates: undergraduate and graduate studies, continuing education, applied research and services, addressing partners such as NGOs, public and private institutions and social enterprises.
Radon Competence Centre
The Radon Competence Centre studies radon gas, making its knowledge available to professionals, building owners and interested parties in general.
La chiave della ricerca dell'Istituto
Fotovoltaico
Il settore fotovoltaico si occupa di sviluppare nuove metodologie di prova per stabilire la durata e l'affidabilità dei moduli fotovoltaici.
Sistemi energetici
Il settore sistemi energetici ottimizza e analizza sistemi energetici avanzati e studia cambiamenti dovuti a fattori tecnologici, economici e sociali.
Sistema edificio
Il settore Sistema Edificio si occupa della gestione e dello sviluppo sostenibile del patrimonio immobiliare.
Energia, sostenibilità e territorio
Il settore Energia, sostenibilità e territorio promuove l'efficienza energetica e la transizione sostenibile.
Suddivisi per settore
Settore Fotovoltaico
Affidabilità e caratterizzazione
Laboratorio SUPSI PVLab
Unico laboratorio svizzero accreditato per testare i moduli fotovoltaici in conformità agli standard nazionali e internazionali.
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Settore Sistemi energetici
Sistemi energetici intelligenti
Realizzazione, ottimizzazione e analisi di sistemi energetici intelligenti tramite utensili di simulazione e lo sviluppo di algoritmi di controllo e sistemi predittivi.
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Transizione energetica
Individuazione dei cambiamenti fondamentali che si verificano nel sistema energetico, dovuti a fattori tecnologici, economici, sociali e ambientali.
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Settore Sistema edificio
Gestione edifici ed efficienza energetica
Mantenimento e gestione del patrimonio immobiliare secondo i principi della sostenibilità e gli aspetti dell’efficienza energetica e funzionale.
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Involucro innovativo
Studio dei sistemi d’involucro innovativi per edifici energeticamente efficienti e di involucri solari attivi (Building Integrated Photovoltaics).
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Edifici e costruzioni sostenibili
Studio di misure per la sostenibilità dell’edificio, dalla sua concezione fino alla sua costruzione, del suo ciclo di vita e del suo inserimento nel territorio.
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Settore Energia, sostenibilità e territorio
Energia e territorio
Implementazione della politica energetica a più livelli, promuovendo l’efficienza energetica e le energie rinnovabili nel settore pubblico e privato.
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Sostenibilità e società
Studio di misure per la transizione verso una società più sostenibile dal punto di vista dell’uso delle risorse naturali ed energetiche.
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Subject areas
Safety and characterization
The Building system sector promotes the sustainable management and development of real estate through the use of innovative tools and methods for the evaluation and analysis of buildings. It supports the building industry in the development of innovative building solutions for the benefit of all, in support of the Swiss Energy Strategy 2050, using the integration of technology and architecture as a holistic approach to building culture.
The sector operates both at the cantonal level, thanks to cooperation with the "Sezione della logistica" and "Sezione della protezione dell'aria dell'acqua e del suolo" and their various cantonal offices, as well as with various municipal technical offices, and at the federal level, thanks to cooperation with the ETHZ and EPFL and other professional schools (such as HSLU, ZHAW, FHNW and FHB). A number of collaborations, in particular with industries producing innovative building envelope systems, have also led the sector to work internationally with European research and development mandates, mainly in the field of energy and sustainability in construction, with the aim of rationalising energy use and promoting the valorisation of renewable energies. The sector's activities aim at a high quality of the built environment and the achievement of sustainable development goals, focusing on the active and passive envelope and its innovative potential.
The Building system sector consists of the following teams
The three teams work together on joint multidisciplinary projects, with a particular interest in pilot and demonstration projects as opportunities for technology transfer and innovative approaches. The local and international dimension is crucial for the growth of the sector and the continuous development of innovation.
The sector operates both at the cantonal level, thanks to cooperation with the "Sezione della logistica" and "Sezione della protezione dell'aria dell'acqua e del suolo" and their various cantonal offices, as well as with various municipal technical offices, and at the federal level, thanks to cooperation with the ETHZ and EPFL and other professional schools (such as HSLU, ZHAW, FHNW and FHB). A number of collaborations, in particular with industries producing innovative building envelope systems, have also led the sector to work internationally with European research and development mandates, mainly in the field of energy and sustainability in construction, with the aim of rationalising energy use and promoting the valorisation of renewable energies. The sector's activities aim at a high quality of the built environment and the achievement of sustainable development goals, focusing on the active and passive envelope and its innovative potential.
The Building system sector consists of the following teams
- Building management and energy efficiency
- Innovative envelope
- Sustainable buildings and constructions
The three teams work together on joint multidisciplinary projects, with a particular interest in pilot and demonstration projects as opportunities for technology transfer and innovative approaches. The local and international dimension is crucial for the growth of the sector and the continuous development of innovation.
Energy and territory
Implementation of energy policy at multiple levels, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in the public and private sector.
Department of belonging
Department of Environment Constructions and Design
Institute Director
Francesco Frontini
Head of Photovoltaics Sector
Mauro Caccivio
Head of Energy Sustainability and Territory Sector
Nerio Cereghetti
Head of Building System Sector
Gearoid Patrick Lydon
Head of Energy Systems Sector
Vasco Medici
The institute has a laboratory and two competence centres:
SUPSI PVLab Laboratory - pvlab.solar
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
Francesco Frontini
Head of Photovoltaics Sector
Mauro Caccivio
Head of Energy Sustainability and Territory Sector
Nerio Cereghetti
Head of Building System Sector
Gearoid Patrick Lydon
Head of Energy Systems Sector
Vasco Medici
The institute has a laboratory and two competence centres:
SUPSI PVLab Laboratory - pvlab.solar
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.
Research activities are developed in the fields of renewable energies, in particular photovoltaics and geothermal energy, analysis of building degradation and energy efficiency, environmental studies and energy policies.
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.
Results21
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.
Analysis and optimisation of energy consumption in complex buildings
Analysis and identification of optimisation strategies to sustainably reduce the energy consumption and energy costs of buildings or building parks.
Analysis of the deterioration, energy and maintenance status
The use of an innovative analysis method, supported by advanced digital tools and the team's experience, makes it possible to obtain an accurate snapshot of the building's state of preservation, assess energy efficiency, and propose interventions.
BiPV
All applied research and innovation services dedicated to the integration of photovoltaics in architecture and construction.
Environmental impact analysis of companies
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.
Field testing
The SUPSI PVLab laboratory offers numerous services to the local area. These include a series of field testings.
Geothermal plant sizing
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 and electrical characterisation of photovoltaic modules
The SUPSI PVLab laboratory offers numerous services to the local area. Among these a series of tests that focus on the electrical characterization.
The Teach Project
Teach3: 'Energy Education' - Teaching offer for middle schools.
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:
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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