Schlaich Bergermann Partner: Engineering Innovative Solar Solutions for a Sustainable Future

About Schlaich Bergermann Partner

Schlaich Bergermann Partner, or sbp for short, is an international engineering office made up of over 300 motivated colleagues from more than 20 nations. Since its founding in 1980, sbp has been a pioneer in lightweight, efficient, and resource-saving structures. Their work spans from small tasks to large-scale projects, always driven by enthusiasm for innovative ideas and individual developments. Over the past 40 years, they have been at the forefront of developing and realizing solar thermal plants for energy generation, and have accompanied the photovoltaics industry from its early days to becoming a global player in various solar technologies.

Main Benefits of sbp’s Expertise

Here are some key figures and facts that highlight sbp’s strengths and contributions:

• Over 40 years of experience in solar thermal and photovoltaic power plant development
• International presence with offices in Stuttgart, Berlin, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai, Paris, Madrid, and Los Angeles
• Expertise in designing parabolic trough collectors, point-focusing dish systems, solar tower power plants, heliostats, and concentrating photovoltaics
• Leading consultants in the CSP (Concentrating Solar Power) industry
• Strong focus on sustainability, lightweight construction, and digital processes
• Recipient of prestigious awards including NCSEA Structural Engineering Excellence Awards, Footbridge Awards 2025, and Glass Magazine Awards

Innovative Solar Technologies

As consulting engineers for renewable energy, sbp develops and implements cutting-edge solar technologies. Their primary focus is on large-scale solar power generation, but they also dive into niche, cutting-edge projects. Their interdisciplinary team brings a holistic system design approach, solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of technology. From early concept development to detailed optimization of standard products, sbp covers the entire spectrum of engineering and technology provision.

Current Projects Shaping the Future

Among their exciting ongoing projects is the KARLA Project in Karlsruhe, a forward-looking wood-hybrid building that’s steadily taking shape. This large administrative and educational center showcases sbp’s commitment to sustainable and innovative construction. Another milestone is the inauguration of the Heppinger Bridge over the Ahr, officially opened on October 27, 2025. This bridge marks a significant step in the reconstruction efforts of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, demonstrating sbp’s expertise beyond solar technologies.

Comprehensive Competencies

sbp’s competencies cover a broad range of engineering and design fields, including:

• Design and structural planning
• Movable structures
• Lightweight construction
• Sustainability
• Digital processes
• Technical examination
• Lighting design
• Solar technologies

This diverse skill set enables sbp to tackle complex challenges and deliver innovative, efficient solutions across various industries and project types.

Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – advancing solar power technologies for sustainable energy generation
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – pioneering lightweight and efficient structural designs
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – contributing to resilient infrastructure like the Heppinger Bridge and KARLA building
• SDG 13: Climate Action – promoting resource-saving and renewable energy solutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – fostering international collaboration across multiple offices and disciplines

Global Presence and Collaborative Spirit

With offices spread across Stuttgart, Berlin, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai, Paris, Madrid, and Los Angeles, sbp operates on a truly global scale. This international footprint allows them to collaborate across cultures and disciplines, bringing diverse perspectives to every project. Their team’s cooperative and enthusiastic approach ensures that each project receives the special attention it deserves, making a real difference in the world of engineering and renewable energy.

What schlaich bergermann partner actually does

schlaich bergermann partner (sbp) is a structural and renewable-energy engineering firm founded in 1980 in Stuttgart, Germany, by Jörg Schlaich and Rudolf Bergermann. In solar energy, sbp designs and engineers large-scale solar power plants, including parabolic-trough, central-receiver, solar-updraft-tower, and Dish Stirling systems.

Where schlaich bergermann partner shows up

• Parabolic-trough plants: engineering work on major installed capacity in Spain and China.
• Solar-updraft-tower technology: pioneered with the 1982 Manzanares pilot plant, one of the first of its kind.
• Heliostat systems: co-developed with industrial partners for concentrated solar applications.

Proof, not just claims

sbp also engineered the 100 MW parabolic-trough plant in Urat, China, and the 50 MW Morón 1 plant in Spain, both using its EuroTrough collector design.

Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

schlaich bergermann partner connects to SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by providing the structural and thermal engineering behind some of the largest utility-scale solar plants built to date, work that made those plants technically buildable rather than only conceptually possible.