Europe

• European Solar Days Expect more than Half a Million Participants-

  Grassroots campaign drums up enthusiasm for clean energy: From Tuesday, 1 May, to Sunday, 13 May, hundreds of thousands of European citizens are gathering at locations all across the continent to show their interest in solar energy during the European Solar Days (ESD). At hundreds of events, the ESD will demonstrate to audiences, such as policy makers and companies - but particularly to individual citizens - the benefits of using solar energy to generate heat and electricity. The nearly two-week campaign includes showcasing solar thermal and solar PV technologies, trainings for company staff, doors open days, street events for children, balloon release and many more.
  Photo: Fotostudio Pflueg

• Europe: Heineken Brewery to Install Three Big Solar Plants-

  The famous beer brand Heineken has just placed an order for three big solar thermal plants that will produce the heat required for the brewery’s industrial processes at different company sites. Two of these systems will be installed at breweries – one in Valencia, Spain, and one in Göß, Austria - and one will be set up at a malting plant in Vialonga, Portugal. The photo shows beer bottles on their way into the tunnel pasteuriser at the Valencia brewery.
  Photo: AEE INTEC

• Europe: SDHplus Gathers Experts and Newcomers to Solar District Heating-

  Just after the Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project SDHtake-off will have ended in June 2012, there will be a follow-up project called SDHplus. Six new countries will join it: Spain, France, Lithuania, Croatia, Poland and Slovenia. Experienced partners from the former SDHtake-off project will help them promote solar district heating by launching awareness-raising campaigns and assessing the potential of their heat supply network. SDHplus comes with a budget of EUR 1.8 million from the IEE fund and will run over three years.

• Europe: InSun Project Showcases Concentrating Collectors for Process Heat-

  1 April was the starting day of the EU FP 7 Project InSun (Industrial Process Heat by Solar Collectors) coordinated by zafh.net, the Centre for Applied Research on Sustainable Energy Technology at the University of Applied Sciences, Stuttgart, Germany. The participants of the project want to show to the public how to integrate flat plate, parabolic trough and Fresnel collectors into different processes and at different temperature levels. The project will run until March 2015 and has a budget of EUR 4.1 million. The owners of the pilot plants will receive back 50 % of their investment costs from that money.
  Photo: zafh.net

• Applications of Solar Thermal Energy in the Mediterranean Basin –ASTEMB (2004)-

  This is a presentation made during the International Conference for Renewable Energies which took place in Bonn, Germany, in June 2004. The presentation provides an overview of the project ASTEMB (Applications of Solar Thermal Energy in the Mediterranean Basin). The project’s objective was to transfer the concept of Guarantee of Solar Results (GSR) to seven countries (Lebanon, Tunisia, Palestinian National Authority, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Algeria) and hereby help them boosting their solar thermal market.

• USA: High Subsidy Level and Slow Motion in California-

  Demand for subsidised solar water heater is very different in Europe and the USA. A comparison between California and the Czech Republic shows that the growth potential is much higher in European countries. The number of applications submitted to the national subsidy programme has been 100 times as much in the Eastern European country as in the US state. The photo shows a commercial solar water heater on a multi-family apartment community in Huntington Beach, California, installed by California Solar Thermal, Inc. The 24-panel-installation was subsidised by both California Solar Initiative (CSI) - Thermal Program as well as the Federal Treasury Grant (30%) and reached a payback time of two years.
  Photo: California Solar Thermal

• The Quality Label for Solar Thermal Products in Europe (2010) -

  This brochure produced by ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, provides a complete overview of the solar keymark, a certification mark for solar thermal products in Europe.

• Solar Thermal Markets in Europe. Trends and Market Statistics 2010 (2011)-

  As in previous years, ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, has issued this publication with detailed data and numbers about the solar thermal market in the EU 27 and Switzerland in 2010.

  In 2010, the European solar thermal market totalled 2.586 MWth (3.694,940 m²) of newly installed capacity, decreasing by an estimated 13% in comparison with 2009 numbers.

  Click here to see the 2010 edition of this publication, referring to 2009 market data.

• European Solar Days: Date Set for 2012 Campaign-

  The next edition of the European Solar Days – a campaign of national events aimed at promoting the use of solar energy – will be held from 1 to 13 May 2012. The initiative now includes more than 20 participants from 16 countries, who gathered on 7 and 8 November in Prague for the second European Solar Days Annual Conference. The meeting consisted of the internal project meeting with the partners and the Annual Conference, also attended by two guest countries. A total of 23 conference participants were responsible for evaluating the 2011 event and planning the 2012 campaign.
  Photo: ESTIF

• Europe: Which Path Takes the Small-capacity Sorption Cooling Industry?-

  Whereas the global market for chillers with small cooling capacities has a volume of around 70 million units annually, the European industry of small-capacity sorption cooling is still in its infancy and is facing many challenges. A newly published study, “Scenario Planning for the European Small Capacity Sorption Cooling Industry”, has identified four different ways the industry could take in a sector whose future development is still hard to predict and depends on several unknowns. The study also helps with strategic recommendations on how the European industry can prepare itself for the possible future in each of these scenarios. The photo shows a selection of small-capacity solar chillers.
  Source: Presentation Green Chiller at ESTEC 2011

• Swiss Bank Sarasin: World Market Reaches 45 GWth in 2011 -

  This week, the Swiss Bank Sarasin published the 12^th edition of their solar industry report, covering all three solar technologies: solar heating and cooling (ST), photovoltaics (PV), and concentrating solar power (CSP). The chapter on solar thermal identifies great differences in the market development of national markets and regions. While the Chinese market continues to shine, many European countries are suffering from decreasing or stagnating markets. Nevertheless, Sarasin predicts a great future, with a global average growth of 12% per year until 2020.

• Estec 2011: “We need incentive tariffs for solar thermal”-

  The crisis in the European key countries was present during the entire 5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference (ESTEC) in Marseilles on 20 and 21 October 2011. Around 300 speakers and participants tried to deliver new ideas and concepts to get the industry back on track. At the second conference day, "plug and flow", "solar active houses", "fixed prices for end consumers" and "solar incentive tariffs" were among the key issues of a round-table discussion, which was moderated by Uwe Trenkner, a consultant based in Brussels (third from left).
  Photo: ESTIF/ Joël Assuied

• European Solar Days 2012- The next European Solar Days will be celebrated from 1 to 13 May 2012 in several European countries. The campaign raises public awareness and involves several hundred thousand citizens at local level. Pioneer countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, as well as others that successfully embraced this initiative like France, Italy and Spain, are only too keen to share their experience and help spread the word.
• What are the long-term future perspectives of the sector in Europe?- The ambitious scenario of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) expects Europe will reach 0.7 kW_th (1 m² of collector area) per European in 2020, equivalent to a total capacity in operation in the EU by then of 320 GW_th. To reach this target, a suitable support framework will be required and solar will then be widely used for both cooling and supplying process heat, though the majority of this capacity will still supply domestic hot water and space heating.
• Renewable Energy Projects as Published in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans of the EU Member States (2011)-

  This report, compiled by the Energy Research Centre from the Netherlands with the help of the European Environment Agency, has been published in February 2011 and illustrates the targeted levels of renewable energy production that the EU member-states want to obtain by 2020.

• Best Practice Regulation for Solar Thermal -

  This study is a tool to support the design of effective regulations to promote the use of solar thermal heating and cooling (ST) and to reduce administrative barriers, with the aim of helping policy makers at the local, regional, national and European levels to design policies most suitable to accelerate the growth of ST, as needed to reach the EU‟s binding target of a 20% renewable share by 2020.

• CERN’s Ultra High Vacuum Flat Plate Solar Collector Markets and Applications (2008)-

  This is a presentation from the CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) about solar thermal technologies and applications. The presentation reviews the different market applications (hot water and heating, space heating and cooling, desalination, pool heating, industrial processes and electricity production). It also gives data on the European energy market and the market share of the different solar technologies. The document indicates the market drivers for solar thermal and the forecasts for the coming years.

   

• Solar Thermal Barometer (2010)-

  This barometer, published by the French organisation EuObserv’ER, provides an overview and analysis of the evolution of the sector in Europe in 2009. In 2009, the installed area in the EU was of about 4166 056 m2 which resulted in a capacity of 22786,1MWth. The solar thermal sector employed 50.000 people in 2009. The document includes data about the installed surface area per type of collectors and power capacity for each EU country. It includes data showing the evolution since 1995 as well.

• Future Giant Solar Park in the Sahara (2009)-

  A giant solar park is to be developed in the Sahara.

   

• ESTIF Statistics at Intersolar: Highs and Lows in the European Solar Thermal Market-

  More detailed market figures can be found in this year’s ESTIF booklet: The 16-page market report is going to be published at the Intersolar Europe in Munich. For the first time, the report will include a map showing key figures as well as articles with background information on solar cooling and large solar thermal systems. Source: ESTIF

• Online Tool for pre-sizing Solar Heating and Cooling Installations-

  Pre-sizing tool online: The international consortium of the European Project SolarCombi+ has just published an online calculation tool for solar heating and cooling projects with a cooling capacity of up to 20 kW.

• Potential for Solar Heat in Industrial Processes (2008)-

  This paper from 2008 wants to highlight the potential use of solar thermal plants to provide heat for industrial applications. It reports on studies which have been carried out accross the world: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal and Spain.

  The report states that the main focus of solar thermal today is on the residential sector, which, as is acknowledged, has a lot of opportunities. However, the report also shows that the potential for industrial applications may not be ignored due to its share in primary energy consumption.

• European Institutes to Test According to Australian Standards-

  The Australian solar thermal market is growing rapidly – on average 27 % within the last two years. One factor in the countrywide growth is the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) provided for newly installed solar thermal systems.

• Solar Thermal: Ready to Save Energy in New York (2007)-

  This presentation was created by Ron Kamen of Earth Kind Energy. It was used to communicate the benefits that solar thermal energy applications could have in the Northeastern United States.

  The presentation draws on examples of successful solar thermal energy projects in Europe and uses them as support for the potential of solar thermal energy development in New York state.

• “We were prepared for this Outcome” -

  In most of the National Renewable Energy Plans (NREAPs), solar thermal was not a priority. Only 8 countries announced significant collector area and growth rates (see news here). solarthermalworld.org asked Xavier Noyon, Secretary General of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), about the reasons behind this lack of consideration, and about the actions which have to be taken now.
  Photo: ESTIF

• Energy Directive Adopted by European Parliament-

  It's a great step forward acknowledging solar heating and cooling to be a key factor for climate protection: For the first time, heating and cooling is covered by an European Directive. The new Energy Directive was adopted with 634 votes in favour and only 25 against and 25 absent in the European Parliament at the 17^th December 2008.

• Solar Cooling Kits for Europe-

  Solar cooling for an office building in Kordin, Malta: The Chillii Solar Cooling Kit PSC10 uses 30.5 m² flat plate and 7 m² of vacuum tube collectors to generate 10 kW of cold in an ammonia/water absorption chiller. Photo: Solarnext

   

• BDR Thermea: A new European Heating Giant-

  Together, De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group have just established BDR Thermea, the third largest heating corporation in Europe. Five solar brands are part of the newly founded company: De Dietrich, Oertli, Baxi, Baymak, Brötje.
  Figure: BDR Thermea

• Challenge of the world market: “Europe is stuck with high installation costs” -

  “Competition on price” was one of the key questions of the panel discussion at the international conference SMEthermal 2011 in Berlin on 10 February. Representatives from the major solar thermal markets worldwide discussed the challenges of the world market among them (left to right): Hakan Alas, General Manager, Ezinç Metal (Turkey), Michael Hsu, CEO, Sunshore Solar Energy – Business Development Central Europe (Austria/China) and Lucio Mesquita, Managing Director, Thermosol Consulting (Canada/Brazil). SMEthermal is an annual one-day conference dedicated exclusively to manufacturing of collectors and tanks, new materials and process optimisation. There were 160 participants from 22 different at the event.
  Photo: Solarpraxis AG / Therese Aufschlager

• Europe: First Call for Solar Certification Fund Proposals -

  The European Solar Certification Fund (SCF) - recently founded by the Solar Keymark Network - launched its first call for project proposals. They can be submitted to scf@estif.org until 14 January 2011, using a template provided on the website. It is estimated that in 2011, around EUR 130,000 to 150,000 will be added to the approx. EUR 90,000 to 100,000 that have been paid into the fund in 2010.

• Status of Solar Thermal Technologies and Markets in India and Europe -

  The focus of the document is mainly on the solar water heating systems as it is the most commercialised technology in India as well as in Europe and the objective of this study is to identify areas of co-operation between India and Europe. The status of other solar thermal technologies is provided in the annex I of the document.

  Download document here or read it below

• Intersolar Speakers present latest figures of key Solar Thermal Markets-

  Several well-known speakers shared their market figures from key solar thermal markets worldwide with the audience of the Global Solar Thermal Markets session at the Intersolar Conference at the beginning of June. Whereas India and Brazil maintain high growth rates, the European solar heating and cooling sector has to again cope with a decline of now 13 % in 2010 compared to the previous year. The chart shows the developments of markets with a volume of 200,000 and 500,000 m². It is part of the 16-page brochure “Solar Thermal Markets in Europe”, which the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) presented at the Intersolar.
  Figure: ESTIF

• Launch of ISOL Navigator: Asia moves up, while Europe lags behind -

  The ISOL Navigator has been launched at the Intersolar Europe in Munich at the 8th of June. The international study presents the current and future market development in 16 key solar heating and cooling countries. The ISOL Navigator is based on the “ISOL Index”, an international business climate index developed by German agency solrico at the beginning of 2010. This ISOL index is a point-based indicator (ranging from 0 to 100 points) showing the satisfaction of solar thermal manufacturers and system suppliers with current and expected market development. Company values are averaged to obtain country and regional indices.
  Figure: solrico

• European Solar Days: 15 Days to raise Awareness-

  Since 1 May 2011, the European Solar Days (ESD) have engulfed the entire continent, aiming to promote the advantages of properly harnessing the sun's energy. Within two weeks, more than 5,000 events take place across 17 countries all around Europe. The campaign will conclude with a panel debate in Brussels on 26 May, which will try to tackle the critical question of how solar energy can contribute to Europe’s energy independence and security of supply.

• Solar Heating Plants (2011)-

  This is a presentation made by Jan Olof Dalenbäck, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, during the International Solar District Heating Workshop that took place in Graz, Austria, in March 2011. The presentation provides a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of solar heating in Europe. The main threat is the lack of incentives and knowledge from decision makers and consumers about this technology.

• Canada: Solarbeam replaces up to 15 Flat Plate Collectors -

  The Canadian company Solartron Energy Systems installed the first nine Solarbeam Concentrator collectors. The subsidiary of the Canadian company EG Energy Controls was founded two years ago, to launch and market the medium temperature parabolic collector that provides solar hot water up to 98 °C.
  Photo: Solartron Energy Systems

• Austria: Solar District Heating Workshop and Plant Visit Tour -

  Solar District Heating (SDH) is making its first step into the market. According to the website of IEE project “SDHtake-off - Solar District Heating in Europe”, experts estimate a long-term potential for solar district heat of 5% and an annual solar heat production of roughly 30 TWh_th. From 16 to 17 March 2011, the initiators of the SDHtake-off will hold a Workshop and Plant Visit Tour on solar district heating. The event will take place in Graz, Austria.

• Eco-energy Labelling: Good Consensus for Solar Thermal Industry-

  

   

  The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation is optimistic that the regulations for the energy labelling of dedicated water heaters in the framework of the Ecodesign Directive (2005/32/EC) are going to be adopted in good consensus in mid-2011. During the last few months, ESTIF's ecodesign and labelling task force, “has changed the content of the energy labelling and come up with a solution that broadens its scope and opens interesting perspectives for our industry,” Xavier Noyon states in an interview with the magazine Sun & Wind Energy.

• Austria: Number of new Jobs in the Solar Thermal Sector underestimated-

  The Austrian government seems to underestimate the number of jobs which the solar thermal sector could create over the next ten years. In the “Masterplan green jobs” published in October 2010, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Environment estimates that around 66,000 new jobs are going to be created in the renewable sector by 2020 if the share of renewable electricity and heat increases to 34 % within the next ten years.

• „Solar thermal systems are used to improve the coefficient of performance of the heat pump”-

  Has observed the German solar thermal market for decades: Graduate engineer Dietmar Lange had, for many years, been Technical Director at various German collector manufacturers and solar thermal system providers until he became a freelance consultant two years ago. Solarthermalworld.org spoke with him about the technological trends and political developments on the largest European market.

• Europe: 2011 Conferences dedicated to Solar Heating and Cooling-

  In Europe, only a few conferences focus exclusively on solar heating and cooling in 2011. Most events combine both solar thermal technology and photovoltaics, with two-thirds of the schedule being reserved for solar electricity and only one third for solar thermal. Please check the event calendar for more information about these events. The few events in 2011 that deal only with solar heating and cooling (and have been included in the event calendar, too) are listed in the following:

• Europe: Robin Welling new President of ESTIF -

  The new President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) is Robin Welling, Managing Director of Austrian collector manufacturer and system supplier Tisun, as well as Managing Director of Tisun LLC in New York. At the beginning of December, Welling was elected in Brussels by the General Assembly for a two-year period. He takes over from Olivier Drücke, who held the position between 2008 and 2010.
  Photo: Tisun

• Solar Thermal Power: The Science and Technology of Solar Thermal Power in Africa (2009)-

  This article was written by Daniel Schäfer, who is a researcher in the fields of Physics and Mathematics at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen in Germany. It provides information on the possibilities surrounding solar thermal energy in North Africa.

• NREAPs: Only 8 countries to plan with significant Area and Growth Rates-

  Clear-cut concepts and mandatory targets to protect the climate was what the European Commission requested from the 27 EU members as they created their National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). On 30 June 2010, 23 states delivered their national version – with meagre success for solar thermal technology. Carried out by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), an analysis of the presently available NREAPs shows that only the 8 countries displayed in the figure above included significant collector area and growth rates in their plans lasting until 2020.
  Source: ESTIF

• Solar Keymark- Solar Keymark is a voluntary third-party certification mark. It is the first internationally recognised quality mark for solar thermal products. CEN and CENLEC, the European Committee for Standardisation introduced the Keymark, which has been developed by ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation. More information at www.solarkeymark.org Go to Document
• European Solar Days 2011, Europe- The next European Solar Days will be celebrated from 1 to 15 May 2011 in several European countries. The two weeks event is coordinated by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) in close co-operation with the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and supported by a large number of organisations at a national and European level. The European Solar Days 2010 were a great success.
• Solar Thermal Vision 2030 (2006)-

  This document was prepared in 2006 by the initiator group of ESTTP and provides a summary of potential solar thermal possibilities in the next 20 years. The report outlines various trends and improvements in solar thermal technology and gives insight and predictions of use and advancement in the future.

• Austria: Call for Papers/Speakers on Solar Process Heat-

  The first international conference dedicated exclusively to solar process heat will take place in Wels, Austria, from 3 to 4 March 2011 as part of the World Sustainable Energy Days. It is organised by the O.Oe. Energiesparverband, the regional energy agency of Upper Austria, which is also the coordinator of the Intelligent Energy Europe project "Solar Process Heat" (So-Pro).
  Photo: So-Pro.

• Solar Thermal Markets in Europe – Trends and Market Statistics 2009 (2010)-

  This report prepared by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation let us know about the solar thermal market evolution in 2009.

  Author: ESTIF Date: 2010 Pages: 9 Original Source Link

• A Big Pilot Solar Thermal Installation in a Social House, Bulgaria - The elderly people home “St. Vassilij Veliki” was constructed and brought into operation in 1983. In that period, the price of the energy carriers was insignificant. In the transition period and presently the price of energy reached the international values, as a result to which the cost of the energy needs constitutes almost 50% of the maintenance costs of the house. Therefore, the construction of the big solar thermal installation for domestic hot water of the elderly people home has not only economic, but also a social effects, since the
• Combined Solar Power and Desalination Plants: Update on the MED-CSD Project (2009)-

  This presentation from 2009 provides an update of the MED-CSD project. The main aim of this project is the assessment of the technico-economic potential of CSP for electricity and desalination in the Mediterranean region. The presentation first gives a global overview by linking the regions suffering from water scarcity with the global potential for concentrating solar power.

• Record Year 2008: Global Market Growth of 35 %-

  In 2008, the global solar thermal market grew by a significant 35%. The main reasons behind such a strong upward trend were the high growth rates of glazed water collectors in China (+35 %), Europe (+63 %) and North America (+42 %). Graphic: AEE Intec

• European Research on Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy (2004)-

  This brochure has been provided by the European Commission under the European Community’s Framework Programmes for Research.

  Information on concentrated solar thermal energy is given in this article. The first section provides an overview of the technology, including both the current state of the technology and its future potential. The second part explains the research areas covered by European Community funded projects since 1992 by highlighting specific projects.

• Which are the major solar thermal markets worldwide?-

  By far the largest solar thermal market in the world according to newly installed solar thermal capacity per year is China. In 2008, around 21 GW_th (30 million m²) were sold in China, which was around 80 % of the world global solar thermal market.

• Foundation to Support Proliferation of Solar Keymark Quality Standard -

  

  The Solar Keymark Network is about to establish a foundation to support the further proliferation of this quality standard. The reason for this decision can be traced back to a change in the definition of types and sub types by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and its subsequent reduction in the fees at the beginning of this year.

• Barriers to Technology Diffusion: the Case of Solar Thermal Technologies (2006)-

  This joint paper from the OECD and IEA (October 2006) looks into the different barriers that exist which prevent solar thermal technologies to deliver its real potential. Next to listing the barriers, the document also looks into means to overcome these, the existing technologies & markets and identifies best practices which can be used by policy makers in both industrialised and developing countries.

  Three barriers to diffusion are analysed in more detail:

  (1) Technical barriers,

  (2) Economic barriers and

• Task 43: Worldwide Harmonisation of Solar Rating and Certification Procedures -

  The international harmonisation of norms is advancing: On behalf of operating agent Jan Erik Nielsen from Plan Energi, experts are working on the alignment of EN and ISO norms under Task 43 of the Solar Heating & Cooling Programme managed by the International Energy Agency.
  Photo: ITW

• Process Heat: the Solar Thermal Challenge of the Future-

  So far solar thermal technology is mostly used for domestic hot water, pool heating and room heating. It´s often forgotten that there is a huge demand for heat below 250 °C in industry, which can easily be reached with solar thermal collectors.

  An international team of researchers working on behalf of the International Energy Agency estimated the realisable potential of solar process heat in the European Union at 100 GW_th, which corresponds to 140 million m² of collector area. T

  Today, however, a solar thermal capacity of only 13.5 GW_th is in operation across Europe. Task 33 of the International Energy Agency reported 85 solar process heat plants worldwide with a capacity of 27 MWth. However, this market segment seems to be waking up. Just recently, news about huge solar process heat installations did the rounds. There is the 13,000 m² plant in Hangzhou, China, on the roof of the textile dyeing factory Daly Ltd., which is most probably the biggest installation for solar process heat in the world. The total investment adds up to RMB 12 million (€ 1.11 million) including the tanks and mounting system. According to the project developer, the Chinese company Shenzhen Quir Solar Technology Co., Ltd, the solar collectors will save RMB 3.38 million (€ 0.31 million) per year, so that the investment will pay off within 3 years. The hot water is provided at a low temperature of 55 °C. Secondly, this summer the German brewery Hofmühl GmbH in Eichstätt will start operating a pilot plant with 1,389 m² of vacuum tube collectors, which will supply process heat between 90 and 140 °C to the brewing and cleaning processes. The owner of the system estimates a reduction of 20 % in the annual energy demand of the factory. The company is convinced that the investment will pay off and has plans for subsequent upsizing to 3,000 m². The project is being subsidised by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

  What are the main topics for the future to open this new market sector?

• Germany: Green Chiller Association Reaches out to Other European Countries-

  The solar and thermal cooling association “Green Chiller - Verband für Sorptionskälte e.V." has extended its membership invitations to chiller manufacturers in other European countries.
  

• Proposal for a EU Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources- Published on 23 January 2008, the proposal mandates each member state to increase its share of renewable energies - such as solar, wind or hydro - in an effort to boost the EU's share from 8.5% today to 20% by 2020. A separate target to increase biofuels use to 10% of transport fuel consumption is to be achieved by every country as part of the overall EU objective. Go to Document
• The EU RES-Directive: Policy Framework and Potential for Solar Cooling in Europe-

  This presentation was made at the EU Sustainable Energy Week in February 2009. 

  It outlines the impact of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive on the solar thermal sector, and specifically solar cooling. 

  The compulsory national targets for renewables as well as the obligations for new and existing buildings are seen as strong drivers for the sector, however there is much responsibilty resting with the national authorities for sound implementation of the Directive. 

• European Solar Days Kick-off Today-

  The second European Solar Days are celebrated from 15 to 22 May with more than 500.000 citizens participating in 7.000 events in 15 European countries.

• QualiCert Newsletter - December 2009- The first edition of the QualiCert Project Newsletter
  Newsletter N1 -
• IEA-SHC 43: On the Way to Harmonize Testing and Certification-

  At the request of the US Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC), the International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) formed Task 43, the “Solar Rating and Certification Procedure”.
  Photo: IEA SHC

• SHPEGS – Solar Heat Pump Electrical Generation System-

  This project that began in 2006 uses a combination of direct and indirect solar collection to generate electricity and store thermal energy in an economically and environmentally friendly way for moderate climates like Canada, northern USA, Asia and Europe.

• Concentrating Solar Power from Research to Implementation - This document from 2007, released by the European Commission, refers projects, financed under the 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6), to boost the use of solar power technologies in Europe, as a part of the EU’s goal of achieving 20% share of renewable energies inits overall energy consumption by 2020 and a minimum 10% share of biofuels in overall EU transport petrol and diesel consumption by 2020. Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is a clean energy that can help the EU to meet this 20% goal.
• Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) - EIB & European Commission - European Commission-European Investment Bank financial instrument Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) has been launched in June 2007 (part of the EU's 7th Framework Programme for Research (FP7) and EIB's Innovation 2010 Initiative) and contributes EUR 359 million to research and innovation, with strong focus on renewable energy technologies.
• Clean Power from Deserts- A document produced by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC), in 2007, discusses the policy options and market situation of increasing the use of renewable energy in the so-called MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). According to scientists, this region will be severely threatened by water scarcity problems in the coming years. Taking that into account, this document tries to show how renewable energies could be the solution to the imminent water crisis situation, notably the use of sea water desalination, combined with solar thermal power from deserts.
• First Annual Conference of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling, Bilbao- the first Annual Conference of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC-ETP) will take place on the 23^rd and 24^th February 2010 in Bilbao, Spain.
  
  The Secretariat of the RHC-ETP is very glad to announce that the event will be held under the auspices of the Spanish Presidency with the joint support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and of the Basque Energy Board (EVE). The two days conference will be organised in close collaboration with the Spanish Association of Renewable Energy Producers (APPA).
  
• Solar Heating Worldwide (2005)- This report from 2005, published by Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) relates the solar thermal capacity previously installed in important markets worldwide. It further reports the contribution of solar plants to the supply of energy and the CO2 emissions reduction, resulting from operating these plants.
• NEGST - New Generation of Solar Thermal Systems Project- The NEGST project, in place from 2004 to 2007, was created to introduce more cost-effective solar thermal systems, especially for domestic hot water preparation and / or space heating, in the European market, with a view to achieve the EU’s goals in terms of CO2 emissions reductions and boost the use of renewable energies.
• Innovation Programme - In 2001, Daventry District Council received funding from the Energy Saving Trust’s Carbon Reduction Pilot (now the Innovation Programme) to undertake a study about the feasibility of providing grants for supply and installation of both solar thermal and photovoltaic domestic systems, in Northamptonshire.
• An Overview of CSP in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East (2008)-

  This document from 2008 gives a comprehensive overview of CSP development in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The paper first looks into the key drivers and key inhibitors that impact the growth of CSP. Particular attention is given to the cost factor of CSP such as initial investment costs and the operating & maintenance costs.

• Climate Change and the Mediterranean: Environmental and Energy Challenges (2009)-

  This briefing paper seeks to focus the attention of civil society on climate change in the Mediterranean and its possible consequences if appropriate policies are not promptly adopted to dramatically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, clearly reaffirming the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities".

• Heat Measurement Technologies for Larger Solar Thermal Systems-

  This report provides an overview of the state of the art of measuring heat delivery in larger solar systems, looking also at the costs and accuracy of the measuring systems. The present document was produced within the framework of the Intelligent Energy- Europe project Key Issues for Renewable Heat in Europe (K4RES-H. The project looks at providing guidelines for best practice policies to support renewable heating and cooling (RES-H) technologies.

   

• Solar Heat Used Rarely in Industrial Processes- If solar heat likes to gain more importance in the future, it should not ignore the industrial sector. Task 33 of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Solar Heating & Cooling programme performed an analysis of industrial energy needs and looked for the potential of solar heat within the sector. The Task’s scientists found a huge potential for energy from the sun. The industrial sector makes up about 28 % of total primary energy consumption in the European Union. A significant share of the heat used in industrial processes is used at low or medium temperatures.
• Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe - The Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe (STAP) offers a comprehensive strategy for market development, including EU-wide targets for Europe by 2020, based on a shared analysis of the market and technological situation and perspectives. The STAP offers a comprehensive set of guidelines for best practice policies to promote the use of solar thermal heating and cooling. These guidelines are based on experiences and case studies from many countries.
• Overview of the International Solar Thermal Electric Project (STEP)-

  The Electric Power Research Institute put out this document to explain the international Solar Thermal Electric Project (STEP).

  This project was formed in response to a growing utility interest in large-scale solar renewable power. STEP consists of Electricité de France, Salt River Project, and Energias de Portugal.

  STEP’s goal is to build up and broaden available information and tools for solar thermal energy technology.

  The project ran from 2006-2009.

• ESTIF: Xavier Noyon appointed new Secretary General-

  Xavier Noyon has been appointed Secretary General of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), effective from 1 November 2009. The French national brings with him a vast experience in working with associations at the European level. Photo: ESTIF

• Eco-labelling Threatens the Solar Thermal Industry-

  The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) raises the alarm: “The new plans of the European Commission for energy-labelling requirements with respect to 'dedicated water heaters' include highly problematic testing requirements for entire systems.”
  

• Study on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project Identification in FEMIP Countries- The Study of CDM Project Identification in FEMIP countries (Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership)aimed to: • investigate the possibilities for carbon finance and crediting activities in the Mediterranean region, identify priority sectors and make relevant recommendations; • build a pipeline of concrete CDM projects or project concepts that the European Investment Bank (EIB) could help finance in the years to come; • promote closer communication between the EIB and local CDM actors.
• Solar Heating Systems for Houses (2003)-

  This book from 2003 presents the collaborative work of international experts from research, industry and academia in the IEA solar heating and cooling programme's Task 26, Solar Combisystems

  The book details methods for analysing and optimising combisystems for different house types and introduces standardised classification and evaluation processes and design tools for these systems. Furthermore the book addresses the need for guidelines in selecting and designing the appropriate system according to the specific needs of the building and the local environment.

• Solar Thermal in Spain (2007)-

  This document produced by the Spanish IDAE (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía) in 2007 explains what is solar thermal energy, its benefits and applications, providing at the same time practical information like for instance the incentive programmes existing in Spain (for both single family houses and hotels) and the prices of solar thermal equipment.

• K4RES-H Project - K4RES-H project has run from January 2005 to the end of June 2007. The project has analysed public policies supporting renewable heating and cooling (RES-H), identified best practices and developed concrete guidelines applicable at local, regional, national and European level. This project comes from the need of increasing information and awareness about the RES-H sector (solar thermal, bioheat and geothermal heat, as support policies in this regard tend to be weak and fragmented.
• Harnessing Solar for District Energy: Europe Leading the Way- This article offers an outline to the solar district heating market in Europe and in particular outlines the trend to diurnal storage and heat-driven cooling applications. A SWOT analysis of the industry points to technical and non-technical barriers for market development, but highlights that among others combined heating and cooling offer advantages to the sector. The greatest potential for market development is foreseen for Germany, France, UK, Poland, Netherlands and Belgium. Information on centralised solar heating plants is also included.
• Solar Heating and Cooling for a Sustainable Energy Future in Europe - a Strategic Research Agenda -

  In this document from 2009 details the current trends and technological perspective in ESTTP's vision for 2030. The strategic research agenda and the research infrastructure needed for reaching the goals as well as a deployment road map for Europe are also described.

• Olivier Drücke: New ESTIF President -

  Olivier Drücke has been working in the solar thermal sector since 1990 and is head of sales and marketing at the KBB Kollektorbau GmbH, a Berlin-based collector manufacturer, since September 2005. Photo: ESTIF

• Mature European Market: More than € 2 billion and More than 30,000 Jobs - The solar thermal market in Europe is by far a mature sector with a substantial total turnover of more than € 2 billion and more than 30,000 jobs. This is shown by the Solar thermal barometer published in October by the French-based organization Observ´ER. These figures result from some simple assumptions.
• Solar Thermal Markets in Europe 2009-

  This 8-page report from ESTIF from 2009 provides information on the key national markets with 2008 data on newly installed collectors based on area and capacity.

  It states that the European market has grown by 60% in 2008.

  Download document here or read it here.

   

• European Solar Days- The next European Solar Days will be celebrated from 1 to 16 May 2010 in 16 European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia , Spain, Switzerland, Denmark , Norway, Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Sweden. The two weeks event is coordinated by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) in close co-operation with the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and supported by 24 organisations at a national and European level.
• Use of flat plate solar collectors and parabolic trough concentrators for greenhouse soil disinfestation (2009)-

  This paper from 2009 investigates the use of low and medium temperature active solar energy systems for the disinfestation of greenhouse soils.

  It begins with a brief history of solarisation for soil treatment and refers to its development in Europe.

  Specifically its investigation used four flat plate solar collectors (low-temperature solar thermal energy devices) and six parabolic trough concentrators (medium-temperature solar thermal energy devices) to heat water, which, via a buried heat exchange system, was used to heat the soil of greenhouse plots.

• The European Heat Market-

  The main purpose with this report (Work Package 1 of the ECOHEATCOOL project) was to present an overall definition and description of the European heat market during 2003. The target area covers 32 countries, including the EU25 member states, the four accession countries, and three EFTA countries. The definition of the European heat market is the important foundation for the quantification of the benefits of an expanded use of district heating in Europe.

  
  
   Click here for document 

• Benefits of Solar Mandates (Ordinances) and Template for City Regulations-

  Mandating the installation of solar heating in buildings is not a new idea. Since 1980, the use of this technology for solar heaters has been mandatory in Israel, (the world's first country to adopt such a policy for the use of solar energy). Many other countries and many cities are also adopting this policy, including Brazil.

  In Europe much effort has been made for a broad introduction of policies that make a mandatory minimum supply of solar thermal energy in buildings.

  There are several benefits attributed to solar energy obligations:

• Front-runners of solar district heating- Feeding directly into the district heating system of the Austrian city of Graz: The collector fields are mounted on four different hall roofs belonging to the AEVG, a municipal waste disposal company. Photo: S.O.L.I.D. / Oberländer
  

• Cooling with Solar Heat: Growing Interest in Solar Air Conditioning- This article looks at the solar thermal cooling process in buildings in particular in relation to air conditioning. In addition it covers adsorption and absorption machines, finally providing an analysis of the cost effectiveness of each approach. Go to Article
• What are the advantages of solar thermal water heating systems at a personal level?- Most importantly: The energy of the sun is endless, sufficient and free of charge. Using solar water heating technology makes you independent of the rapidly increasing fossil fuel prices. It saves customers energy, money, is clean and safe and it is a long-living technology with life cycles of 25 years and more.
• A Big Pilot Solar Thermal Installation in a Social House, Bulgaria - The elderly people home “St. Vassilij Veliki” was constructed and brought into operation in 1983. In that period, the price of the energy carriers was insignificant. In the transition period and presently the price of energy reached the international values, as a result to which the cost of the energy needs constitutes almost 50% of