Certification

• Solar Thermal Certificate Program (2011)-

  This brochure was created by the John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, California, and provides information on their institution’s solar thermal certification program.

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

  

  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.

• 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.

• Concentrating Solar Power: Global Outlook 09-

  This 2009 report looks into the global outlook of concentrating solar power (CSP). The report first looks into the different CSP technologies and makes a comparison based on the advantages and disadvantages. The report also provides an overview of the CSP development by region. For certain countries per region a more detailed assessment is provided. In particular, the potential of the Mediterranean and the MENA region is being assessed.

• USA: SRCC Improves Process Efficiency and Works on Standard for Combi Systems-

  Since Eileen Prado has become Executive Director of the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation SRCC in summer 2010, the average time for the testing and certification process has been cut in half. Although there are new programmes coming up next year, Prado is confident that certification periods can be reduced further.
  Photo: SRCC

• 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.

• Design, Construction and Operation of CSP Solar Thermal Power Plants in Florida (2011)-

  This document was assembled by the University of Southern Florida and the Florida Energy Systems Consortium (FESC) as an overview of their developments with solar thermal systems. More specifically, this focuses on the design, construction and operation of CSP Solar Thermal Power Plants in Florida. This project aims to develop a solar thermal power technology that will lead diverse energy resources in Florida and reduce greenhouse emissions by utilizing renewable sources.

• Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Commercial Program - FAQ's (2012)-

  This document addresses the most frequently asked questions fielded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. This is intended for people who are interested in participating in the program and trying to find out how it works and what they will need to do to receive the benefits.

• Solar Heating Entry Level Learning Objectives (2011)-

  This following is a document from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) that lays out potential “Learning Objectives” for an entry level solar thermal installer certification course. The document identifies 6 main areas of learning, and gives an outline on how to possible grade an exam based on these criteria.

• 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 4^th 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)-

  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

• 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.

• India: Revised Technical Specifications for How to Install and Insulate Solar Water Heaters -

  After publishing the Memorandum “Minimum Requirements for Installation of Solar Water Heating Systems in Field” in September 2011, India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued a revised version of the guidelines on 25 November 2011. The Solar Thermal Federation of India (STFI) has successfully intervened against certain of its requirements. The photo shows the tank manufacturing at Indian company Anu Solar.
  Photo: Anu Solar

• Non-Conventional Energy Sources in Colombia (2011)-

  This is the presentation of Mr. Henry Zapata from the Colombian Government during the UNEP (United National Environment Programme) Regional Workshop jointly held with OLADE (the Latin American Energy Organization) in Chile (June 2011) about the UN-funded project Solar Water Heating Transformation and Strengthening Initiative.

• USA: Solar Water Heaters May Loose Energy Star Label in 2012-

  Just two years after the first solar water heaters received the Energy Star Label, they may loose it again. Right now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is revising the label's Water Heater Specification. It has found that solar water heaters are not in line with the principle of the Energy Star label, because they do not pay off quickly enough. The solar thermal industry worries that loosing the label would become a serious drawback for the reputation of solar water heaters in the US. The final draft of the specification is expected in January and the final version is going to be published by February.
  Source: EPA

• 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.

• 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.

• Europe: Solar Keymark Scheme Rules for concentrating solar collectors-

  During the meeting in Paris in October 2011, the Solar Keymark Network has accepted an extension of the Solar Keymark Scheme Rules. In the future, Solar Keymark will be available for both solar water heater stores and concentrating solar collectors. At the same meeting, the Solar Keymark Network has approved the new Annual Collector Energy Output Calculation Tool as a standard measuring tool for all Solar Keymark certified collectors. The energy output calculated with it can from now on be found on all Solar Keymark data sheets.
  Photo: Henry Rosik

• Solar Thermal Industry Certifications (2011)-

  This presentation from the North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University discusses the development of solar thermal certifications in the US.

• QualiCert Report: Assessment of Existing Accreditation and Training Schemes (2010)-

• QualiCert Manual (2011)-

  This manual is one of the deliverable of the QualiCert project started in July 2009 which obliges Member States to develop and mutually recognize certification or equivalent qualification schemes for installers of small-scale renewable energy systems (solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, heat pumps, etc.) by December 2012.

• 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
  
  

• 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.

• Technical Report for Solar (Small, ≤10kW) Projects with Total Eligible Project Costs Greater than $200,000 (2005)-

  The “Technical Report” is an integral part of any application for REAP grant and/or guaranteed loan assistance.

• 1,000 Solar Keymark Licenses for Collectors: among them 7 % from China -

  Solar Keymark is a very broadly accepted label on the European solar thermal market. More than 1,000 collector certificates have been issued since the introduction of the certification system in 2003.
  Source: www.solarkeymark.org

• 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.

• Portugal: Training Programme for 5,200 qualified Installers-

  The only way to receive the certificate of competence (CAP) as an installer in Portugal is to attend a 44- to 70-hour training, depending on one's previous knowledge of the respective systems. The entire course costs around EUR 600.
  Source: clubsetubalense.pt
  /08/tcc/802-282.jpg

• Switch to a Better Future. Accredited Dimplex Renewables Installer and Training Scheme (2009)-

  This is an example of a brochure about the Accredited Dimplex Renewables Installer and Training Scheme. This programme offers specialised domestic heat pump installer training courses. The course receives accreditation from the Logic Certification and it is addressed to plumbing, heating, HVAC and M&E engineers wishing to expand into the air/ground source heat pump sector. The brochure also includes an explanation about heat pumps and solar water heating and the benefits of using renewables.

  Author: Dimplex

• Brazil: My Home My Life Programme requires Qualisol certified Installers-

  

  
  The Brazilian installer label Qualisol has recently gained greater visibility in the market. Not only does CAIXA, the national mortgage bank for the housing sector, now require installers to provide a Qualisol label to take part in the social housing programme My Home My Life (Minha Casa Minha Vida), but also some of the energy utilities' efficiency programmes accept only installers which are Qualisol certified.

• Introduction to Thermal Solar Solutions (2009)-

  This presentation was created by American Water Heaters, a manufacturer of water heater products. It explains the current state of the solar thermal market and American Water Heater’s reasons and tactics for entering the market.

• Tunisia: First Steps towards introducing Qualisol and Solar Keymark -

  Quality label for installers: By adapting French installer certification Qualisol, Tunisia's market development project Prosol has already entered “the 3rd Dimension” of quality control since its launch in 2005. Training is provided by the National Chamber of Renewable Energies (CNSEnR) after which installers will have to pass an exam to use the label in shop windows, ads, offers and invoices. Tunisia is a perfect example of quality-oriented solar thermal market development.

• Solar Water Heaters – Markets and New Developments (1996)-

  This paper was prepared by Graham L. Morrison from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia The paper provides an overview of the international and Australian solar water heating markets, focusing on promotional programmes to encourage the adoption of such products.

• 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).

• Hemeva Solar Water Heaters (2005)-

  This is an example of a commercial brochure of a solar manufacturer in Colombia Hemeva. The brochure explains the products, their use and benefits. It includes details on the materials and components used, the technologies, the certification system, etc. The document also has images that help understand how the systems are applied and used. (Document only available in Spanish)

  Author: Hemeva

  Date: 2005

  Pages: 10

• Tunisia: „The solar thermal sector was not much affected by the revolution“-

  The economic situation in Tunisia two months after former President Ben Ali left the country is back to normal. Material supply is available without delay, the grants of the incentive programme are paid and even the demand for solar water heaters slowed down only a bit. Solarthermalworld.org spoke with Amjed Sibai, Managing Director of Sines Industries, one of the largest collector and tank manufacturers in the country, about the current business situation in Tunisia. Sines was founded in 2005 by him and his brother Ismail Sibai, who transferred the technology from their Greek partner which has been in the solar thermal market since 1976.

• 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.

• Sweden: First Buffer Tank receives P-Mark Certificate -

  The buffer tank Ecoscience by Swedish tank manufacturer Fueltech Sweden AB is the first tank to receive the P-Mark certification. After one year of testing and paper work, the P-labelling of the 520 litre tank with fresh-water station and external solar loading module was approved at the beginning of November 2010. P-Mark is a quality mark developed by SP, the Swedish National Testing and Research Institute. To receive the label, a product must fulfil requirements in four different categories: efficiency, safety, documentation and manufacturing quality.
  Photo: Fueltech Sweden

• 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.

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

  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

• 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
• Brazil: “Solar Water Heaters will become a culture”-

  Carlos F. C. Faria is the founder of Brazilian consultancy Studio Equinócio - SE and former director of the Brazilian solar industry association ABRAVA. Studio Equinócio is dedicated to the development of solar energy in Brazil. The company works in partnership with industries, associations, banks, local governments and energy utilities to establish a solar energy network in Latin America. At the Eurosun 2010, solarthermalworld.org spoke with Carlos Faria about what drives the market in Brazil.
  Photo: Eurosun
  
  

• France: More than 9,000 Quality Checks of Solar Thermal Systems-

  The quality of solar water heaters is improving steadily. Evidence of this trend can be found in the results of the 8,000 Qualisol audits, which have been carried out since 2007. Within four years, the share of “excellent” installations more than doubled, from 20 to 55.5 %. The share of “poor” installations shrank from 10 to 3 %.
  Source: Qualit'EnR

• Brazil: Pros and Cons of Collector and Tank Labelling Programme-

  The history of solar heating in Brazil began in the early 1970ies with the emergence of the first factories for solar collectors. However, the development of the Brazilian market was only possible after INMETRO's creation of the Brazilian Labeling Program PBE in 1998.
  Source: www.inmetro.gov.br

• Solar Water Heating Accreditation System. Specification Conditions (2009)-

  This presentation was made during the Regional Workshop on Solar Water Heating Certification and Standardization organised by RCREEE (Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) in Tunisia in autumn 2009.

• Instructions SIA Complaint Procedures (2004)-

  This document was produced by the New Zealand Solar Industries Association to help consumers on what to do in case there is a concern or a problem with an installed system.

  In such situations, the issue should be raised with the supplier or installer. The supplier or installer who sold the system is responsible for all aspects of the system installed and for ensuring that the product performs adequately for the purpose for which it has been sold.

• USA: SRCC tackles Backlogs in Solar Thermal Testing and Certification-

  The US-based Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) is on the fast lane. Within only one and a half years SRCC has increased the number of accredited test labs from two to fourteen. Collector and system suppliers that want to enter the US-market can now address test institutes in Australia, Spain, Canada, Germany, China and Switzerland, as well as the US.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• Solar Thermal Power: The Seamless Solar Link to the Conventional Power World (2000)-

  This report was arranged by Renewable Energy World. The report provides explanations behind the need for solar thermal power as an energy source. Four different options for solar thermal conversion are explained including the parabolic trough or solar farm, solar central receiver or power tower, trough power plants, and power tower plants.

• Competitive Solar Thermal Power Stations Until 2010 - The Challenge of Market Introduction (1998)-

  This report was arranged by Franz Trieb, from the German Aerospace Center in 1998. The report looks into an alterative option for the world’s electricity market. Solar thermal power stations based on parabolic trough concentrating collectors could serve as a viable competitor.

  In order to make this plan appealing to investors, it must possess three important attributes which are an acceptable technology, profit, and financial risk.

• France: Qualisol – A Quality Scheme for Installers-

  Qualit’EnR manages the solar thermal installers label Qualisol and offers a wide range of services to qualified installation companies, such as: listing on the web portal (www.qualit-enr.org), free technical assistance, advertising and communications material and the Qualit’EnR newsletter.

• Development of a Solar Rating and Certification Laboratory in Minnesota (2009)-

  This is a report prepared by the Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security (OES) to the Legislature. It focuses on solar thermal technologies for domestic hot water and space heating. This legislation came about from concerns that the nationally recognized solar thermal certification organization, Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC), process was inadequately serving Minnesota’s solar thermal industry.

• Standards and Certification European Solar Thermal Industry - Detailed information on standards, testing, certification on solar thermal in Europe (ESTIF). Links to the Solar Keymark section is also available Go to Document
• Austrian Regulations and Certification/Subsidy Schemes Related to Solar Thermal Products-

  Austrian country report of the EIE/ALTENER Project SolarKeymark-II published in November 2007.

  Please click here to fin other countries reports (DK, F, D, EL, IRL, I, POL, P, P, SW) 

  Go to Document

• QualiCert Newsletter - December 2009- The first edition of the QualiCert Project Newsletter
  Newsletter N1 -
• ON-RE Report: Energy Innovation in Municipal Building Codes (2009)-

  The Italian National Observatory on Energy Saving Building Regulations (ONRE) released this report in 2009 in co-operation with Legambiente and CRESME. European Directives like the RES 2020 or the energy efficiency in buildings have pushed local authorities to create new legislation to comply with the different targets set in the directives.

• Market Report for Small and Medium-Sized Solar Air-Conditioning Appliances Analysis of Market Potential-

  This Report focuses on the 8 participating countries’ markets to the SOLAIR project and provides a market review and analysis of small and medium-sized solar air-conditioning (SAC) appliances.

  This Report begins with a comparison with all countries markets’ status quo that is presented in a very digestible format of graphs and key data. The main section of the Report looks in depth at each country and provides an overview based on the following issues:

• Solar Thermal Legislation on Municipal, Regional and National Level in Spain: Success and Remaining Barriers (2007)-

  This overview, which was presented at the 2007 ESTEC conference, summarises the current status of solar thermal legislation in Spain and in the Catalan region in particular. The leading role Barcelona has played in making the installation of solar thermal systems compulsory in new buildings, and the positive results of it, was a catalyst for setting ambitious goals on national level.

• Technical Requirements of Low Temperature Solar Systems (2009)-

  This document produced, in 2009, by IDEA (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía) in collaboration with CENSOLAR (Spanish Solar Energy Training Centre), provides an overview of the minimum technical conditions to be met by solar thermal water heating systems, covering also durability, reliability and security requirements. The purpose is to establish technical conditions to be considered during the call for subsidies regarding solar thermal installations, included in the Spanish Renewable Energy Plan for 2005-2010.

• European Facilities Testing Products for the US Market-

  Accredited for SRCC testing: The SPF Institute for Solar Technology from Switzerland is one of six European testing institutes being able to test collectors according to quality standards by the US-American Solar Rating & Certification Corporation.
  Photo: SPF Rapperswil

• 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

• Solar Heating and Cooling in Norway- This report from 2005 provides information on how the government in Norway is boosting the use of renewable energy sources, solar heating and cooling particularly.
• Operation of the Solar Thermal Collector Certification Program (2009) -

  This document from 2009 was put out by the Florida Solar Energy Council (FSEC). It presents details of the operation of the Solar Energy Standards Act whereby solar collectors may be rated for performance, examined for compliance to minimum standards and be certified by FSEC. This includes: operating guidelines for certifying solar collectors; description of the standard method for thermal performance rating; manufacturer’s agreement for labeling certified collectors; Information on the application for requesting collector certification.

• 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.

• Manufacturer Founds Air Collector Association SAHWIA-

  Air collector companies exist very much in the shadows of the manufacturers of water collectors. Therefore a Solar Air Heating World Industry Association (SAHWIA) is necessary. But not all manufacturers are pleased with the procedure that lead to the association’s founding. Photo: Solarwall

• New Association and Subsidies in Thailand-

  The solar thermal sector in Thailand finds its voice. After one year of preparation, the Solar Thermal Association (STA) is very close to being approved by the government. “We expect approval by January 2009”, says STA president Somsak Chutanan, CEO of the company Infratech Engineering & Services. It will be exactly one year after officially founding the association in January 2008.

• The Agenda for Solar Thermal in SEIA- The solar thermal division of SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association in the USA, should be strengthened. This is the decision of a meeting of solar thermal stakeholders during the conference and exhibition Solar Power in San Diego in the middle of October. Representatives of the solar thermal industry as well as of the Solar Rating and Certification Cooperation (SRCC) discussed two different options.
• Enlarging Testing Facilities for SRCC in the USA-

  The extension of the federal tax credits by eight years and the election of Barack Obama have suddenly made the U.S. market for solar thermal energy far more attractive. The importance of imports of collectors and systems is growing. The number of flat plate and evacuated tube collectors has increased more than tenfold within three years according to the statistics of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) from 3,000 m² (2005) to 36,000 m² (2007).

• HIGH-COMBI Project - High Solar Fraction Heating & Cooling Systems with Combination of Innovative Components & Methods (2007)-

  This document provides information on building types and climates of the countries involved in the EU project HighCombi. The HighCombi project was launched in 2007 with a two-year duration and aims at the development and demonstration of solar thermal heating and cooling systems with high solar fraction. Co-funded by the European Commission, within the Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006), the project consortium involves twelve partners from six European countries (Greece, Spain, Italy, Romania, Germany and Austria).

• Feed-In Tariffs Support Solar Thermal Power in Spain-

  This document explains how the use of Feed-In Tariffs has been beneficial for the development of concentrating solar power (CSP) in Spain. A Feed-In Tariff ensures that the entrepreneurs’ electricity will be bought at a guaranteed rate for a fixed period of time.

• Evaluation of Packaged Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems for North Carolina (1999)-

  This document from 1999 was prepared by the North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) and evaluates solar hot water systems appropriate for North Carolina to help expand the industry. Specifically, it evaluates which systems are well suited for North Carolina single family homes, including a description of each system’s economic and environmental benefits.

• MREA Certified Site Assessors-

  This website from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association lists Certified Renewable Energy Assessors to help determine if homes or small business sites are appropriate for the installation of a renewable energy system (e.g. Solar Domestic Hot Water).

  Contact details are available as well as assessor information on how to stay certified, amongst other infomation.

  Go to website 

• MREA Certified Site Assessors-

  This website from the Midwest Renewable Energy Association lists Certified Renewable Energy Assessors to help determine if homes or small business sites are appropriate for the installation of a renewable energy system (e.g. Solar Domestic Hot Water).

  Contact details are available as well as assessor information on how to stay certified, amongst other infomation.

  Go to website 

• Mechanical Equipment & Control Strategies for a Chilled water and a Hot water system (2008)-

  This report from 2008 falls within the framework of the Internal Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme.

  The objective of this report is to undertake pre-normative research to develop a comprehensive and integrated suite of building energy analysis tool tests involving analytical, comparative, and empirical methods.

  These methods will provide for quality assurance of software some of which will be enacted in specific standards to be used for certifying software used for showing compliance to building energy standards.

• 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.

• The Solar Thermal Market in Syria- A comprehensive overview of the Syrian market for solar thermal technology, this document taken from Sun in Action 1 (published 1996) provides an overview of the following aspects of the nation’s market:
  • Present market situation and future prospects
  • South Africa: Workshop Discusses Market Barriers- Solar water heaters possess a huge potential in South Africa. “Some 100,000 houses are built every year, 30,000 homes are renovated, and about 400,000 electric geysers are replaced,” Thulani Gcabashe, head of Head of Energy Building Africa Holding, explained at the national solar water heating workshop in Midrand, South Africa, this February.
  • Brazil Evaluates Its Solar Thermal Installations-

    Evaluation project in Brazil: The Grupo de Estudos em Energia (GREEN) at Pontificia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, also called the Brazilian Center for the Development of Thermo-Solar Energy, checks the quality of components and installed systems. Foto: GREEN

  • Solar Thermal Utilization in Thailand (2008)-

    This 2008 document from the Thai Solar Thermal Association (Stasolar), gives a summary of the state of play of solar thermal in Thailand as well as its future market development. Only recently, the government is giving more attention to solar thermal which has lead to the first solar thermal subsidy programme in 2007. 

  • The Solar Thermal Market in Cyprus-

    A comprehensive overview of the Cypriot market for solar thermal technology, this document taken from Sun in Action 1 (published 1996) provides an overview of the following aspects of the nation’s market:

  • Solar Rating and Certification Corporation-

    Since 1980, the SRCC was developed whose primary purpose is the development and implementation of certification programs and national rating standards for solar energy equipment. It is the only national certification program established solely for solar energy products. They provide credibility to the product and manufacturers in the industry.

    Useful links: 

  • BPEC - Solar- The course is aimed at already qualified or experienced domestic heating engineers and plumbers. The course usually takes approximately 2-3 days to complete including theory, practical and assessment.
  • Logic Certification- Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water Course To become an accredited installer Solar Heated Storage Types (storage cylinders) Solar Primary System Types Go to Document
  • terms of use

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  Romania: Signs of Recovery at Bucharest’s RomTherm		Solar Heat Worldwide - Markets and Contribution to Energy Supply 2010 (2012)
  SOLTRAIN: Free Solar Heating Systems for Social Institutions		India: Solar-heated Ritual Bath at 1,700 m
  Austria: Collector Production Unit for Sale		Solar Thermal Generation of Electrical Power on California Freeway’s Shoulders and Median (2009)
  USA: Solar Water Heaters Survive Energy Star Revisions		District Energy Solar Thermal System, St. Paul (2012)