Founded in 2009 as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, Germany, the SolarSpring GmbH, membrane solutions has grown into a world market leader for membrane distillation technology.

Our core team of 6 engineers and scientists, most of which have been with the company since “day one”, is entirely committed to water treatment and drinking water production.

SolarSpring systems can be found all over the world and are built at our company venue the “Solarhaus” in Freiburg, Germany.

We cooperate and network internationally with smart and creative individuals, but since we value the preservation of resources and local partnerships most of our suppliers are regional.

As a reward for our innovative ideas and developments we were awarded the “Land of Ideas” prize in 2012 and the “Technology-Transfer-Prize” in 2014

SolarSpring GmbH

Our core team of 6 engineers and scientists, most of which have been with the company since “day one”, is entirely committed to water treatment and drinking water production.

SolarSpring systems can be found all over the world and are built at our company venue the “Solarhaus” in Freiburg, Germany.

We cooperate and network internationally with smart and creative individuals, but since we value the preservation of resources and local partnerships most of our suppliers are regional.

As a reward for our innovative ideas and developments we were awarded the “Land of Ideas” prize in 2012 and the “Technology-Transfer-Prize” in 2014

The team

Daniel Pfeifle

The Allrounder

After my apprenticeship as a motocycle technician I studied Renewable Energy Systems at the university of Applied Science in Nordhausen which I completed as a Dipl. Ing. (FH). Starting in 2009, I worked at the Fraunhofer ISE designing and constructing membrane distillation systems and commissioned many plants around the world including in Namibia, Spain and Italy. Since 2012 I have been responsible for MD system manufacturing at SolarSpring and took over the position of CEO in 2016. I have two lovely daughters and spend a lot of time outdoors with my family.

Alexander Wolf

The Perfectionist

I joined SolarSpring for my Diploma Thesis titled “Planning, development and construction of a solar-powered Ultrafiltration System for drinking water production” and have been part of the company ever since. I am a specialist for membrane filtration proud creator of the SolarPurification product line and father of three children.

Rebecca Schwantes

The MemBrain

I am a trained motorcycle technician, mechanical engineer (Dipl. Ing. (FH)) and graduate from Uni Braunschweig’s M.Sc. program “ProWater” and work for SolarSpring in marketing, research and as a scientific author since 2014.

Kirtiraj Chavan

The Batsman

With a background in chemical engineering (VIT Pune, India) and after working for some years as a process design engineer, my transition to membrane distillation was very smooth and started with a Master Thesis for completion my M.Sc. programme „Process Engineering“ (Offenburg). I stayed on at SolarSpring and dove straight into research on the more “chemical” new applications for MD. I really like life in Freiburg but have noticed a strong lack of good street food and cricket.

Leon Bührer

Man of Action

Educated at the Fraunhofer ISE and with experience in fuel cell testing, Leon assembles our plate and frame MD modules and designs manufacturing equipment. He is also responsible for quality assurance.

Manuela Verini

Queen of Accounts

Manuela is our accountant and makes the cliché of a boring bookkeeper seem absurd. Make sure to catch the latest news on her extensive Grandfondo cycling career next time you meet her.

Jumana Sabbagh

The Designer

Jumana takes care of our corporate appearance in print as well as online.

Juan Scherzinger

THE WORKSHOP MASTER

Juan is responsible for engineering and production.

Ramona Steinle

The woman of the trade for everything electrical.

INGO MICHEHL

THE COMMUNICATOR

Customer satisfaction is my highest priority. With a bachelor in communications and a masters in psychology I now take care of marketing and sales for SolarSpring, promoting this fantastic new technology for water treatment and sustainability. Water is life. I like nature, sports, yoga and meditation.

Afrid and Severin

The Interns

Currently with us on internship are Afrid und Severin