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Standards

  • Solar Thermal: It’s Hot Again! (2008)-

    This presentation was created by Bill Guiney of Johnson Controls. It covers the benefits of soalr thermal installations, and takes a look at some of the various aspects of the technology that makes solar thermal possible.

  • Low-Carbon Communities in the Caribbean (2011)-

    This presentation was created by Blaise Stoltenberg of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It covers solar energy use in the Caribbean, pages 16-31 focus specifically on solar thermal water heating.

  • Solar Water Heating Specification, Checklist and Guide (2011)-

    This manual is the Renewable Energy Ready Home (RERH) specifications for solar thermal domestic water heating. They were developed and published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist building in designing and constructing homes that are renewable energy friendly.

  • Solar Water Heating for Your House: A Consumer’s Guide (2008)-

    This guide on solar thermal water heating for consumers in residential settings comes from the North Carolina Solar Center. It covers the benefits of solar thermal water heating, the different kinds and parts of systems, and how to get one installed.

  • Europe: Three Basic Guidelines Help Regional and Global Market Development-

    ESTIF guides

    The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) has just launched three comprehensive guidelines regarding the Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative (GSWH). On behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the ESTIF team drew up three practical handbooks entitled “Guide for Policy and Framework Conditions”, “Guide for Awareness Raising Campaigns” and “Guide for Standardisation and Quality Assurance for Solar Thermal” (see the attached documents). These guidelines are thought to help stimulate sustainable solar water heater market development in different countries worldwide.
  • Market Study - EU HighCombi project (2011)-

    This document provides information on the EU project HighCombi. It includes a market study of the project's six target countries, and outlines the solar thermal state of the art in each.

  • Recommended Qualification Test Procedure for Solar Absorber Surface Durability (2004)-

    This document consists of a recommended qualification procedure based on the results of work performed on solar collector absorber surfaces within the framework of the International Energy Agency Programme on Solar Heating and Cooling. The document explains a set of recommended short term durability tests to be used in the qualification of absorber surfaces for the intended use in single glazed flat plate solar collectors for domestic hot water production.

    Author: IEA SHC Programme

    Date: 2004

  • 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 Energy in Delaware (2007)-

    This presentation was created by the Delaware Million Solar Roofs Coalition, an association that advocates for the use of solar energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The presentation was used to inform people in Delaware on the basics of solar thermal energy.

    To begin, the differences between solar thermal technology and solar pv technology are looked at. This includes the physical characteristics, economics of, and worldwide installed capacity. Then the presentation examines the potential for solar thermal energy deployment in the state of Delaware.

  • Albania: 75,000 m2 of Newly Installed Collector Area-

    Alongside the government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) officially launched a solar water heater project in Albania, with its first workshop in Tirana on the 4th of December. The project titled “Country Program of Albania under the Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative” aims at installing 75,000 m² of new collector area in the country and supporting sustainable market growth targeting at annual sale figures of 20,000 m² by the end of the project in 2015.

  • Solar Water Heating Applications: Evaluation of Product Standards (2011)-

    This report presents the efforts of South and South-East Asian countries in adopting and developing solar water heater product standards, accredited test laboratories and certification bodies and accredited planners/installers.

  • Albania: Solar Water Heaters Project increases Market Size (2008)-

    test center in Albania” Albanian's solar thermal testing centre: inaugurated in September 2008, managed by the Harry Fultz Institute in Tirana and financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
    Photo: www.entwicklung.at

  • Initiative for Transforming and Strengthening the Solar Thermal Water Heating Market - the Mexican Case (2011)-

    This is a presentation done by Mr. Edgar Marin from OLADE during the UNEP (United National Environment Programme) Regional Workshop held in Chile, in June 2011, about the UN-funded project Solar Water Heating Transformation and Strengthening Initiative.

  • Qualitative Approach for Solar Water Heaters. The Tunisian experience (2009)-

    This is a presentation delivered by Mr. Noureddine Ketari from the Tunisian Institute Aptitudes during the Regional Workshop on Standardization and Certification of Solar Water Heaters organized by the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Tunisia.

  • Tunisian Norms and the SWH Testing Procedures (2009)-

    This is a presentation delivered by Mr. Rafik Zaiane a Tunisian ministry official, during the Regional Workshop on Standardization and Certification of Solar Water Heaters organized by the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in Tunisia.

  • Solar Water Heating Therm–inology! (2011)-

    This presentation was created by Tim Merrigan of the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and was first presented at the 2011 USH2O Annual Meeting. It focuses on clearing up and defining some widely, and often loosely, used terms in the world of solar thermal heating relating to system names and official standards.

  • Training Course on Solar District Heating (2011)-

    This document comprises training material developed in the framework of the SDHtake-off project with the support of Intelligent Energy Europe Programme. It has been designed as a “pool” of information to be used by all training organizations. It gives a broad overview of the solar thermal technologies employed for district heating, their characteristics as well as the legislative and technical requirements that are applicable in the EU.

  • Technical Specifications for Solar Energy Installations (2010)-

    The Decree No. 314/010 was issued by the Uruguayan authorities with the purpose of outlining the minimal technical conditions to be met by solar thermal installations. It regulates the use of these technologies, also serving as a guideline for all users, with a main focus on durability, reliability and security requirements.

  • Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Future of Solar Energy (2009)-

    Owing to the significant potential that the country is offering, New Zealand’s Solar Industry association tries to promote the use of solar technologies in different sectors. The presentation comprises an outline of the available solar technologies – passive, photovoltaic and solar thermal – and gives a more in-depth description of the latter given its multiple advantages and spread within the country.

  • Enhanced and Expanded Solar Thermal Test Capabilities (2011)-

    This document focuses on new solar thermal test capabilities used in the certification of solar thermal collectors. The Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC) created this document to help explain how their certification systems works and what the benefit will be to the solar thermal market.

  • Solar Board (2009)-

    The presentation of the Mesa Solar project occurred during the “International Solar Energy Forum on the Development of Solar Technology and Industry under the Financial Crisis” in Lanzhou, China. The goal of the presentation was to attract investors by raising the awareness about Uruguay’s potential in this sector.

  • Spain: Solar Obligation since 2006 -

    In March 2006 the Spanish Government passed the new Technical Buildings Code (CTE). It has been the most significant reform of the country’s building sector in decades. The law covers safety, health and noise protection issues in buildings, and it deals with sustainability and energy efficiency aspects. The solar sector of the CTE includes an obligation regarding the use of solar thermal energy in all new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation and/or changes of use. Solar energy is supposed to cover 30 to 70 % of the domestic hot water demand.

  • Dynamic Optimization of Solar Thermal Energy Systems with Storage (2011)-

    This presentation from the University of Texas discusses new ways to utilize and store solar thermal energy more efficiently. It analyzes the benefits that heat storage can bring to various solar thermal systems in different situations and in different locations of the United States.

  • Solar Air Heating for Municipal Facilities (2003)-

    This case study focuses on the City of Toronto Vehicle Maintenance Garage and their switch to a solar thermal air heating system.

    The garage hosts the town’s garbage trucks and other work vehicles, so there was a need to both ensure airflow, and because of the cold temperatures of Toronto, ensure reliable heat. So the town installed three solar heated fans that provide the interior of the garage with a steady stream of fresh air that has been heated by the sun.

    Document available in both French and English.

  • Solar Thermal Conversion (2005)-

    This presentation was created by the Florida State University Energy and Sustainability Center. It discusses the process and technology of solar thermal conversion.

    The presentation starts by explaining how the process of solar thermal conversion works in theory. From there, the various technologies that make solar thermal energy possible are examined through brief explanations and diagrams. The different designs for solar thermal that are explored in the presentation are the parabolic-trough, solar dish, power tower, storage, chimney, and flat plates.

  • South Africa: Clarity sought on Future of Rebate Scheme-

    South Africa utility Eskom” There has been no decision yet regarding the future of the national residential incentive programme by South African utility Eskom: As of 12 July 2011, the utility counted a backlog of all in all 53,208 applications. This is more than half of the number of all applications approved since the beginning of the programme in 2007 (84,214 application). 76 % of the applications that are still pending approval deal with open loop systems. Closed loop systems make up the smaller proportion, with 12,644 still pending applications.

  • Standardisation and Quality Assurance in Solar Thermal (2011)-

    This is a presentation made during the Regional Workshop of Solar Thermal Water Heating that took place in Chile in June 2011. The presentation by Dr. Harald Drück from the University of Stuttgart covers the international, European and national standards available for solar thermal components and systems, testing and certification issues.

  • Funding for Commercial Solar Water Heating Projects-

    The Renewable Energy Market Transformation Project (REMT) aims at supporting Commercial Solar Water Heating (CSWH) projects during the next four years. There is a total funding available of US$ 17.3 million. So far there is no final word on how CSWH projects will be supported.

    This text was written by communication specialist Hanna Schober based in South Africa. Schober_hanna@gmx.at

  • Germany: Vacuum Tube Collectors withstand 40 mm Hailstones -

    Hail map of Switzerland” The extra-thick double-glass vacuum tubes by German company Soltark have survived a test with 40 mm hailstones at the Swiss test institute SPF Solartechnik in Rapperswil. A systematic investigation of vacuum tubes at SPF Rapperswil two years ago showed that most of the 26 tested vacuum tube collectors were damaged after several hits with 35mm hailstones. In large parts of Switzerland, however, hail with a thickness of 30 mm must be expected at least once in 50 years (red-coloured areas in the above map). More and more Swiss building insurers are adopting rules for the hail resistance of solar collectors, which the owners hope to incorporate into already existing insurance contracts.

    Source: www.hagelregister.ch

  • Solar Combi+: Identification of Most Promising Markets and Promotion of Standardised System Configurations -

    This document from 2008 summarises the European funded Solar Combi+ project which aims to support the market introduction of small scale cooling systems in combination with traditional solar thermal systems for domestic hot water and space heating. The small-scale applications are targeted for use in residential, catering, small commercial and office buildings surroundings with a cooling demand of 20kW.

  • 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.

  • The Thai Solar Thermal Industry Outlook (2007)-

    This document was produced by the Solar Thermal Association in Thailand. It provides a thorough overview of the Soltherm project. The Market Development Solar Thermal Applications in Thailand project (Soltherm Thailand) is funded by the EU-Thailand Economic Cooperation Small Project Facility (EU-SPF) and jointly implemented by the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment (JGSEE), the International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).

  • Commercial Solar Thermal Solutions for the Caribbean (2009)-

    This presentation was created by Ecological Technologies Ltd (Eco-Tec), a Jamaican company that specializes in renewable energy technology solutions and energy management consulting; and Solid, a project development and engineering company.

  • 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.

  • Dynamic Market Growth in the UK-

    The UK was still one of the most dynamic solar thermal markets in Europe in 2008 – despite the worldwide economic crisis. According to the British Solar Trade Association (STA), the amount of solar thermal collectors installed countrywide in 2008 grew by 50 % to 81,000 m2 (57 MWth)."

  • The Skinny: Solar Power for Domestic Hot Water and Heat (2006)-

    This fact sheet was created by The Center for Resource Conservation in Boulder, Colorado. It provides an overview of how solar thermal water heating works and the benefits of using such a system to residents of Colorado.

    The information provided is targeted at residents of Colorado and surrounding areas, so the focus of the fact sheet is on how a closed-loop freeze protection system works. The fact sheet notes that this kind of system can be used for both domestic hot water and heating.

  • Solar Chiller: Zero-net energy for building air conditioning in hot climates (2007)-

    This fact sheet was created by Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. It provides information on solar thermal air conditioning strategies and potential programs in Brazil.

  • Clean Energy Fact Sheets: All About Solar Thermal (2009)-

    This fact sheet was created by the leading clean energy industry association in Australia, the Clean Energy Council. Its focus is on how solar thermal technologies can contribute to the development of the carbon-free energy industry in Australia.

  • ToolBase Tech Specs: Solar Water Heating Systems (2008)-

    This fact sheet, called Tech Specs, was created by the NAHB Research Center, a full-service product commercialization company, for The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), which is a partnership, managed by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, of the homebuilding, manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries.

  • Solar Thermal Incentive Program (2009)-

    This fact sheet provides information on Connecticut’s incentives for solar thermal. It is administered by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

    The fact sheet begins by explaining the basics of how a solar thermal energy system works. It explains that the incentives that Connecticut offers for installing a solar thermal system are available for both residential and non-residential settings.

  • SCHOTT White Paper on Solar Thermal Power Plant Technology (2005)-

    This white paper was created by SCHOTT, which technology company that develops specialty manufacturing materials. It provides information for political and business leaders on solar thermal power plant technology so that they may familiarize themselves with the technology and understand the steps necessary to make the technology market ready.

  • Solar Thermal Technology & Applications (2006)-

    This presentation was created by Roger Taylor of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It was used at the NAEMI Solar Electric & Thermal Training Workshop in 2006. Solar thermal water and air heating are the main topics of the presentation.

  • Solar Thermal: Successful DWH Applications (2008)-

    This article was created by Byron Stafford of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and was presented at the ACI New Jersey Home Performance Conference for Whole House Energy Solutions in September of 2008. It focuses on solar domestic hot water system options and capabilities for residential housing in New Jersey, USA.

  • Solar, Codes & Architecture (1999)-

    This document from 1999 was prepared by Peter Caradonna, LEED Accredited Professional and Chair of the US Green Building Council. It goes over the basics of governing construction, installation, alteration, and repair of solar systems. It also shows a series of images of solar systems in architecture. A full list of residential building codes for solar thermal technology can be found below.

     Download document here

  • The Effects of Passive Heating and Cooling on the Energy Performance of Buildings – CEN Calculation Procedures (2009)-

    This is a document providing an overview on passive heating and cooling technologies and their impact on the energy performance of buildings presented by Anna Staudt and Hans Erhorn from the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics concerning the CENSE project in Germany, with the funding from the EU’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme.

  • Solar Collectors: an Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of the Conditions of Bulgaria (2009)-

    This is a document presented by Maya Stoyanova from the Bulgarian Center for Solar Energy, during the seminar “Sustainable development of buildings: solar energy and life cycle assessment of buildings”, organized with the support of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2009.

  • Networking and Outreach Activities in Jordan-Lebanon-Syria for Energy Access II (2005)-

    This report was compiled by the Energy Research Group of the American University of Beirut. It summarizes the discussions that took place during the Regional Action Plan Stakeholders meeting on Energy Access and Renewable Energy Technologies in Syria Jordan and Lebanon. The Regional Action Plan for Regional Sustainable Energy Development started in 2004 between Syria Jordan and Lebanon. The objective of this partnership is to enhance collaboration among universities and other stakeholders to promote energy efficiency and appropriate renewable energy technologies.

  • Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in California (2010)-

    This is a California Occupational Guide produced and published by the The California Employment Development Department - Labor Market Information Division with a grant from the United States Department of Labor. It provides potential solar thermal installers and technicians on what a career in solar thermal installation would be like.

  • Installing Solar Water and Pool Heating Systems (2005)-

    This document was created by the Technical Committee of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. It offers a wide-ranging task breakdown of essential installation practices for contractors working on installing solar thermal systems for pools and indoor water heating.

  • RETScreen Software Solar Water Heating Workshop (2008)-

    This presentation was created by National Grid, an energy service company in the northeastern United States. It was used to present at Solar Boston, a conference on solar energy in Boston, in a workshop on how to use RETScreen energy analysis software.

    The presentation examines why solar thermal water heating makes sense based off the findings of a RETScreen analysis.

  • The Solar Thermal Option: Meeting California’s Electricity Needs While Addressing the Global Warming Crisis (2007)-

    This presentation was created by Yes on 7, an advocacy group in California that campaigned in 2007 for the passage of Proposition 7, a ballot initiative that would have required utilities in California to meet certain renewable energy production standards.

  • Solar Domestic Hot Water System and Component Test Protocols (2008)-

    This document, issued by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, includes a series of test protocols addressing specific requirements for the testing of solar water heating systems and their auxiliary components (e.g. heat exchangers).

  • Solar Water Heating Systems - Santa Monica (2007)-

    This presentation was created for Solar Santa Monica, a local government initiative by the city of Santa Monica, California that advocates for the use of solar energy. This presentation was used to familiarize Solar Santa Monica members on how solar thermal works and why they should advocate for it alongside solar electricity technologies.

  • A Guide to Selecting and Installing a Solar Hot Water Heater (2007)-

    This manual was written by Dan Gretsch, P.E., and was published by SolarHot, a renewable energy manufacturing company where Gretsch is VP of Engineering. It provides information for consumers on how to select and install a solar thermal water heater in their home.

  • Solar Water Heating Systems (2006)-

    This fact sheet was created by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). It provides information for home and business owners in Maryland on solar thermal water heating systems.

    The fact sheet begins by covering what a solar thermal water heating system typically is and looks like. From there, it delves into more detail on the differences between flat-plate collectors and evacuated-tube collectors; while recommending evacuated-tube collectors because of their higher efficiency and ability to reach hotter temperatures than flat-plate collectors.

  • Progress Energy’s Solar Water Heating Program (2008)-

    This presentation was created by Progress Energy, an energy company in the Carolinas and Florida. It provides information on their solar water heating programs targeted at residential customers and schools.

    For consumers in a residential area, Progress Energy offers many incentives. If the customer buys EnergyWise equipment for the whole electric, heating, and cooling system of their home, they will receive free installation, and an upfront $450 rebate. There is also a $200 rebate for customers in Orange County, Florida; and a possible $2,000 Federal tax credit.

  • Central Solar Power: The Climate Connection (2008)-

    This presentation was created by David Berry of Western Resource Advocates (WRA), a non-profit environmental law and policy organization. It provides information on climbing CO2 levels in the atmosphere, how this will affect the future climate of the American Southwest, and the role solar thermal can play in moderating rising greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Caleffi Solar: Solar Thermal Water Heating (2008)-

    This presentation was created by Caleffi Solar, a solar water heating company. It provides information on how solar thermal water heating systems work and the various components that make up a system.

  • Solar Heating and Cooling of Buildings (2007)-

    This document includes detailed information about solar heating and cooling technologies for buildings. The document is one of the deliverables of the BRITA in PuBs project (Bringing Retrofit Innovation to Application in Public Buildings). This FP6 funded project involves different countries (Norway, Denmark, Italy, Greece, Germany, UK, Lithuania and Czech Republic). The aim is to develop demonstration projects in selected public buildings to demonstrate how renewable energies could be used.

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

    Label”

     

    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.

  • U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009 (2010)-

    This report was written by Larry Sherwood for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. It provides information on new solar installations in the US in 2009.

    The report examines and analyses the market for various solar energy technologies by state. It focuses on PV, solar thermal heating, and concentrated solar power.

  • OSEA CanSIA Solar Thermal Community Action Manual (2008)-

    This homeowner’s guide was created by the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA), and the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). It provides information for people living in Canada on how to deploy residential and local solar thermal applications in their communities. It provides insight on how to use local solar thermal organizations to help spread solar thermal, how to obtain public financing for such projects, and an introduction on how to install equipment.

  • Canada: New Standards for Solar Collectors-

    Yoursolarhome Air collectors” Canada overhauls its standards for solar collectors: The Public Review Draft of the new F378 Series has currently been posted to the CSA Public Review website. Comments can be submitted until 29 January 2011. The F378 Series includes liquid based collectors, as well as all types of solar air collectors.
    Photo: Yoursolarhome

  • Solar Thermal Energy in Argentina (2009)-

    This report has been arranged by the TECH4DCM project which is financed by the European Union (EU) FP6 (Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development). This EU Project focuses on promoting solar thermal energy and is being carried out in five countries; Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. The project’s primary goal is the promotion of renewable and efficient energy technologies, paying special attention to overcoming technological barriers

  • Solar Thermal Energy in Mexico (2010)-

    This report has been arranged by the TECH4DCM project which is financed by the European Union (EU) FP6 (Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development). This EU Project focuses on promoting solar thermal energy and is being carried out in five countries; Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. The project’s primary goal is the promotion of renewable and efficient energy technologies, paying special attention to overcoming technological barriers.

  • 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.

  • Mexico: New Industry Association Protects Local Industry Against Cheap Imports -

    Salvador Steffani” Since 1976 in the solar thermal business: Salvador Steffani is the founder and General Director of the collector manufacturer Captasol. His company is initiator of the newly founded Renewable Energy Industry Association FAMERAC and member of the National Association of Solar Energy (ANES).
    Photo: Captasol

  • Active Solar Thermal Energy (2006)-

    This fact sheet was created by the Canadian Solar Industries Association. Its focus is on active solar energy and its growing industry in Canada.

  • Solar Power – Thermal Route Issues and Challenges for India (2009)-

    This presentation was created by the Indian National Academy of Engineering. It provides information on the engineering issues associated with deploying solar thermal technology for widespread use in India.

  • Study Guide for Solar Water and Pool Heating System Installers-

    This report is issued by The Florida Solar Energy Center and Energy Conservation Services as part of the Certified Solar Thermal Installer™ Certification Program, NABCEP.

    The study guide provides a holistic overview of key aspects that any installer of solar thermal should be aware of. The report looks at twelve aspects in particular:

  • 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
  • AEE INTEC: Applications for Solar Thermal Systems (2005)-

    This fact sheet was created by AEE INTEC, the Institute for Sustainable Technologies in Austria. It provides information on the various ways solar thermal systems can be set up for water heating purposes in a variety of settings.

  • Solar Thermal Power 2020: Exploiting the Heat from the Sun to Combat Climate Change (2003)-

    This study is a product of a partnership between the European Solar Thermal Industry Association (today's ESTELA) and Greenpeace. It provides information on the current state of solar thermal technology, and develops a scenario for where the solar thermal market could be by the year 2020.

  • AORA: Solar Energy and Local Power (2009)-

    This fact sheet was created by AORA, a solar energy subsidiary of the EDIG Construction Management Group. It provides information on a new concentrated solar thermal system that AORA has developed, and the potential benefits this technology may have.

  • Solar Thermal Power: Unlimited Resources (2006)-

    This brochure provides information on solar thermal technology and business practices as done by the company Feerostaal. It is intended as an introduction to Feerostaal’s business in the solar thermal industry.

  • Thermal Storage for Solar Power Plants (2006)-

    This pamphlet provides information on thermal storage processes for solar power plants. It is intended as an introduction to this kind of technology and the ways in which it may be used.

    The two main storage systems the pamphlet looks at are for parabolic troughs with thermal oil and for trough power plants with direct steam generation. DLR describes how these systems are currently being used and ways they are trying to innovate the use of these systems. Then DLR talks about StorageTechThermo, which is the simulation model used to test out these new designs.

  • World Resources Institute Fact Sheet – Concentrating Solar Thermal Power: Clean Energy for the United States (2009)-

    This fact sheet was created by the World Resources Institute located in Washington, D.C. It provides information on action that the United States Federal Government could take to promote clean energy, specifically solar thermal energy, in the United States.

    The World Resources Institute lays out 6 programs that could help jumpstart the solar thermal industry. Of these different legislative actions the most important would be a price on carbon, increased RD&D funding for clean energy technology, and the implementation of a renewable energy standard.

  • Solar Thermal Obligations In Buildings in the Framework of the Portuguese Case (2008)-

    This paper was created by M. Lopes Prates, J. Cruz Costa, J. Farinha Mendes, and Maria João Carvalho of Portugal’s Department of Renewable Energies at INETI, the National Institute of Engineering and Industrial Technology. The focus of this paper is on the legislative and regulatory frameworks of the Portuguese government, pertaining to solar thermal technology, and their effect on the industry and its market.

  • Solar Thermal Power for Talitha Kumi: Corporate Support Where it Matters (2009)-

    This pamphlet was created by the public-private partnership of the German company MAN Ferrostaal, the German Energy Agency, and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Its focus is on how this public-private partnership brought a solar thermal system to a school in the Middle East, its positive social benefit, and how it is opening doors to the development of the Middle Eastern solar thermal market.

  • Turning Sunshine into Heat: Commercial Solar Thermal Applications (2004)-

    This factsheet was created by Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy; which is a public-private partnership that offers information on energy services to utility customers in Wisconsin. The focus of this factsheet is the various applications of solar thermal heating systems in commercial settings.

  • Integrated Thermal Storage for Concentrating Solar Power (2008)-

    This report was compiled by Ray Dracker of Solar Millennium LLC and Klaus-Jergen Riffelmann of Flagsol for California’s Integrated Energy Policy Workshop in July of 2008.

    The presentation focuses on the different types of solar energy storage and how they can improve solar plants. Because of the unpredictable nature of the amount of solar radiation available for solar power plants, storage is a necessary tool in ensuring the reliability and cost-effectiveness of solar energy.

  • Solar Thermal Applications in Eastern Europe with Guaranteed Solar Results. The East- GSR Project (2008)-

    This is the final report of the EU funded project East-GSR (2006-2008), created to support the development of the solar thermal market in 5 Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia). One of the main objectives of the project was to promote the performance guarantee approach for large solar thermal systems focusing on the example of the Guaranteed Solar Results (GSR) contract. The project was coordinated by the French Energy Agency ADEME.

  • Solar Power in Canada: Powerful, Proven and Practical (2003)-

    This report was prepared in 2003 by Rob McMonagle for the Canadian Solar Industries Association.

    The document describes the specific challenges that the solar industry in Canada faces and also argues against many common myths associated with solar energy. Several charts also show that Canada has more solar energy than many countries that are currently worldwide solar leaders. Several charts provide a cost/energy breakdown for various uses of solar thermal power and solar pool heating is explained in further detail.

  • Report of a Performance Test According to EN 12975-2 for a Glazed Solar Collector (2007)-

    This is a report, prepared by the Test Centre for Solar Thermal Components and Systems in Germany, on a serie of tests made to evaluate the thermal performance of a solar collector according to the standard EN 12975-2:2006. The test, commissioned by the company Thermomax, was made to an evacuated tubular collector. The report goes trough the description of the collector, the various tests carried out, the observations, results and its analysis.

    Download document here or read it below

  • Solar Thermal Modeling with the EnergyPlus Calculation Engine (2004)-

    This document was created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) which is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. It provides information on the EnergyPlus analysis software program.

    The EnergyPlus software is intended to provide energy simulations of whole buildings, and determine their level of energy efficiency. Earlier versions of the program were based on the Heat Balance Model, and measured standard indicators of energy usage such as building envelopes and HVAC systems.

  • Design and Testing of Two Low-Cost Solar Pasteurizers (2004)-

    This study and report was prepared by Robert J. Stevens and Richard R. Johnson for the North Carolina Solar Center. The purpose of this study is to first determine, and then test the best low-cost solar pasteurization systems for this potentially viable technology.

    The study first examines and describes four concept designs; a thin film polymer pasteurizer with an integral heat exchanger (SPIHX), a, a fully wetted copper SPIHX and a traditional fin and tube absorber with an external heat exchanger (SPEHX).

  • Ten Features of Successful Solar Policies (2007)-

    This article prepared by Policy Dialogue investigate the five key requirements for solar technology in general to take-off. The list can be summarised as follows: 1. Solar Access Bylaws 2. Road Planning 3. Better Building Codes 4. Performance-based incentives 5. Net-metering 6. Sustainable long-term incentives 7. Low Administrative incentives 8. Energy performance loans 9. National regulatory compliance 10. Quality Standards

  • Barcelona' Solar Thermal Ordinance (2005)-

    This presentation provides an overview of the Barcelona Solar Thermal Ordinance. This ordinance aims at promoting and regulating through local legislation the installation of low-temperature systems for collecting and using active solar energy for the production of hot water for buildings.

  • 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.

  • Solar Thermal Components Adapted to Common Building Standards – SCAS (2007)-

    This document is the final report of the project "Solar Thermal Components Adapted to Common Building Standards", involving different universities in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Latvia (Technical University of Denmark, SERC, University of Oslo, Riga Technical University).

  • SEIA - US Solar Industry Year in Review 2008-

    This report was arranged by Solar Energy Industries Association. The document discusses the major growth that has taken place in the Solar Energy market for 2008.

    During 2008 the solar energy market witnessed record breaking growth. No new solar energy plants were created during this year but plans had gone into effect for the future opening of many plants.

  • Proposed Guidelines for Implementing California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (2004)-

    This document was prepared by Solargenix Energy, LLC. Solar thermal generation has been shown to be cost competitive when compared to other similar fossil technologies providing comparable products, i.e. firm on-peak capacity and energy.

  • Solar Combi+ Final Report (2010)-

    This document is the final report of the SolarCombi+ Project, which aims at boosting the market for small scale solar cooling systems in combination with traditional solar thermal systems for domestic hot water and space heating. The document provides an overview of the technology, the project and the results, including an analysis of the most promising technologies, markets and also recommendations to further develop the market and the products.

  • US Solar Industry: Year in Review 2009-

    This report was arranged by Solar Energy Industries Association. The document discusses the growth that has taken place in the solar energy industry through new installations and employment in 2009 despite economic downturn.

    A doubling in size of the residential PV market and three new CSP plants helped lift the U.S. solar electric market 37 percent in annual installations over 2008 from 351 MW in 2008 to 481 MW in 2009. Solar water heating installations managed 10 percent year-over-year growth.

  • Solar Thermal Water Heating Market in Albania (2004)-

    This document provides an overview of a PDF-B (Project Development Fund) project, built-up in partnership with the UNDP and GEF, designed to improve the solar water heating market in Albania.

  • 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

  • Transition to Solar Thermal – Roadmap of Holland Solar (2007)-

    With this 2007 roadmap, the Dutch solar thermal association Holland Solar, sets out a future perspective for solar thermal market development in the Netherlands based on three timeframes i.e. 2015, 2030 and 2050. The document has to be seen in the discussion on the energy transition process and underlines that a change in cultural behaviour is needed to which all stakeholders, especially companies, authorities and research institutes, have to contribute.

  • Stanwell Solar Thermal Power Project (2006)-

    This paper was released by the Stanwell Corporation, University of Sydney and the University of NSW in 2006. It describes the success and implementation of the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) solar thermal system.

  • Morocco Country Paper in the Field of Certification and Standardization of SWHs (2009)-

    Two representatives of the CDER (Moroccan Centre for the Development of Renewable Energies) gave a presentation during the Regional Workshop on SWH Certification and Standardization organised by RCREEE (Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency). The presentation provided an overview of the certification and standardisation processes and authorities in Morocco. The local governments are trying to increase the use of the renewable energy sources. It is expected that 42% of electricity will be generated from renewable energy sources, from which 14% solar, by 2020

  • 2009 Updates and Trends – IREC-

    This report was from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Annual Meeting in October, 2009. The report is broken down to cover state incentives & policy trends, solar installation trends, net metering & interconnection updates & trends, and workforce development and training.