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  • Technology Options of Solar Thermal Systems in South-East Asia – Lessons learned from Thailand and Vietnam (2012)-

    This power point presentation - given by Dr Ing Christoph Menke (University of Applied Sciences, Trier) – outlines the technology options and market potential for solar thermal systems in South-East Asia. After an overview of global solar thermal technology, it outlines the potential for solar water heating in Thailand, the temperature ranges for different food industrial processes, and gives an overview of the subsidy programmes implemented between 2008 and 2011.

    These subsidies had several positive effects:

  • Design Considerations for Large-Scale Solar Thermal Applications (2011)-

    This presentation is on solar thermal applications in large, commercial buildings. It first addresses the places of opportunity for commercial solar thermal such as schools, pools, government buildings, correctional facilities and apartment complexes.

  • Current Status of Renewable Energies in the Middle East North African Region (2007)-

  • Renewable Energy in Malta (2007)-

    This presentation made by Antoine Riolo of Malta Resources Authority provides a general overview of the renewable energies used in Malta, including solar thermal and the existing support mechanisms to this technology. Solar thermal applications for water heating are actually the renewable energy source with higher penetration rate in the country, with an estimated capacity of 16,700kWth in 2006. Space cooling, according to the presentation, has considerable potential, but needs further improvements as to what regards the commercialisation of small units.

  • Designing Solar Thermal System for Selected Industrial Processes (2011)-

    This is a presentation by Stefan Heß of the Fraunhofer ISE, given during the International Conference Solar Process Heat that took place in March 2011 in Austria. Industrial process heat accounts for more than 20% of the final energy demand in Germany. 33% is needed at temperatures below 150°C, which can be easily achieved with solar thermal collector. The presentation explains why solar thermal is not used for industrial process heat in Europe. Financial restrictions and complex system integration are considered to be the main barriers to the development of this technology.

  • Solar Thermal Collectors and Thermal Storage (2009)-

    This presentation was created by Dr. Cynthia A. Cruickshank of Carleton University, and was first presented at the “Montreal Ph.D. Summer Workshop on Net-Zero Energy Solar Buildings: Theory, Modeling and Design”. The presentation focuses on applications of solar thermal, collectors, and storage systems.

  • Paolo Frankl Speaks About IEA's 2012 Solar Heating and Cooling Roadmap -

    This is an interview with Paolo Frankl from IEA made during the ESTEC 2011 conference in Marseille. Paolo explains that IEA is paying more attention to heating and its contribution to consumption. The IEA will release by spring 2012 a solar heating and cooling roadmap. Solar energy in the heating sector is expected to increase significantly. The main drivers to this increase are the environmental concerns (CO2 reductions), but also energy security.

  • China's Solar Thermal Industry: Threat or Opportunity for European Companies? (2003)-

    This is an article wrote by Li Hua from the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. Li Hua speaks about the Chinese solar thermal market and how it has experienced a fantastic growth without any government subsidies.

  • Solar Heat for Industrial Processes. State of the Art in the Mediterranean Region (2011)-

    The report is a deliverable of the “Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative”, jointly funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Copper Association (ICA).

  • The Use of Copper in Solar Water Heating Systems (2010)- This document produced in the framework of the Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative, reports the usage of solar water heating technologies in the soccer club Los Plumas de la UNAM in Mexico. The installations were made in 1996 and have proved to be very efficient and successful. This document includes the technical characteristics of the equipments installed, the advantages, the savings, the maintenance requirements, among other details.
  • 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.

  • Concentrating Solar Thermal Systems for Generating Electricity (2010)-

    This is a presentation from the Mexican Non-Conventional Energy Management Electric Power Research Institute aimed at describing the perspectives of using concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies, and the implications stemming from this choice. It was made during the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) Electricity Workshop held in Paraguay in May 2010.

  • Concentrating Solar Power: Its Potential Contribution to a Sustainable Energy Future (2011)-

  • 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.

  • Evaluating the Potential of Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Energy in Compliance with the Technical Building Code (2011)-

    The study published by the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) presents an in-depth analysis of the solar thermal energy potential for domestic hot water and swimming pool water heating, as well as the benefits of the solar photovoltaic energy feeding into the grid. A key reference for the study has been the text of the Spanish Technical Building Code (CTE) in force.

  • Solar Thermal Application in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria and Tunisia (2009)-

    This paper is the Cairo workshop report concerning Solar Water Heater (SWH) technologies used in the six Arab countries. The workshop was organized by the Egyptian-German Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in cooperation with GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation) and with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The aim was to compare the use of SWH technologies and to present a SWH market overview of those countries.

  • Applications of Solar Energy for Domestic Hot Water and Buildings Heating/Cooling (2011)-

    This article was published in the International Journal of Energy of the North Atlantic University Union. It advocates for the solar generation of thermal energy and its use for buildings and domestic water heating in Romania.

  • Potential Market and Practical Experience with Solar Process Heat in Germany (2011)-

    This is a presentation made by Harald Drück during the International Conference on Process Heat of March 2011 in Austria. The presentation includes data about the use of solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP) in Germany with concrete examples of companies like Steinbach and Vollmann, Alanod, the Hofmühl brewery, among others.

  • 2001 Annual Report: IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme (2001)-

    This report issued by the International Energy Agency (IEA), gives a detailed overview of the policies in place at that time regarding the R&D and integration policies of solar thermal products for the buildings sector.

  • 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.

  • Feasibility of Solar Energy for Domestic Hot Water and Heating (2006) -

    This is a poster prepared by Carlos Henrique Porfirio and Dalva de Araujo Vieira from the Architecture and Urbanism College of University of São Paulo, in Brazil. It analyses different options for domestic hot water and heating. The poster includes an introduction about solar energy, both PV and thermal, the international market and the Brazilian market as well. The document analyses the Brazilian market in terms of available legislation, main barriers and potential. It also refers examples of legislation in Germany, Israel and Spain.

  • Renewable Energy Potential of the Middle East, North Africa vs. the Nuclear Development Option (2007)-

    A study published in 2007 by the Global Energy Network Institute (GENI) presents the potential and advantages of using renewable energies by the MENA countries. It also pinpoints the drawbacks connected to the nuclear energy option. It describes the benefits stemming from the use of solar energy, underlining the potential to offer solutions at both national and local level: job creation, better solutions for heating and cooling systems, water desalinization, little land use, etc. The topic of grid interconnectivity (both AC and HVDC) also falls under the scope of this research.

  • Global Energy Supply Potential of Concentrating Solar Power (2009)-

    This paper was presented during the 2009 SolarPACES Conference in Berlin by Christian Breyer and Gerhard Knies. The aim is to outline the potential of concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) in addressing the global energy supply challenges.

  • Assessment of Feasibility for the Replacement of Electrical Water Heaters with Solar Water Heaters in Namibia (2005)-

    This study, commissioned by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, provides an overview of the solar water heating (SWH) industry in Namibia in 2005, comparing it with electric solar heating. Other African countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana and their SWH development are also mentioned to help comparing the evolution of Namibia.

  • Business Prospects for Solar Water Heating in Brazil (2006)-

    This study from 2006 published by Vitae Civilis analyses technical and financial alternatives to traditional water heating systems with a view to boost the development of new business models using solar thermal energy in residential, commercial and services sectors in South American countries.

  • Solar Thermal Energy Scope in Chile (2009)-

    Rubén Muñoz Bustos, from the Chilean National Energy Commission, prepared this presentation for a training workshop on solar heating and cooling, which took place in July 2009 in Santiago, Chile. The training workshop, organized by different local entities in co-operation with the Spanish Association ASIT and the Spanish Institute IDEA, was addressed mainly to technical staff from public governmental bodies and focused on boosting the use of solar thermal applications in the country.

  • Solar Thermal Power Plants: On the Way to Commercial Market Introduction (2008)- This presentation made by Prof. Hans Müller-Steinhagen from the Institute for Thermodynamics of the German Aerospace Centre provides an overview of solar power plants, their current use, benefits and potential. The presentation goes through examples of solar power plants, outlining the different systems and technologies available. An estimation of the costs and the profits of using such technologies is also provided, allowing, thus, to conclude on its paramount potential on electricity cost reduction.
  • Promoting Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Development in Africa: Zambia Experience (2008)- This paper, prepared by Universities in Zambia and in Belgium, examines Zambia’s efforts to exploit renewable energy technology. The document shows that in rural areas solar home systems are being used, but just for an elite group of rural population The challenges of renewable energy use in Zambia include inadequate policy provision and implementation, lack of awareness among rural households about the benefits of renewable energy, the high cost of technology and the undeveloped nature of renewable energy markets.

     

  • Advanced Storage of Solar Thermal Energy for Low Energy Housing-

    Countries like Germany, Switzerland and France are registering an increasing interest in low energy houses, mainly single family houses (40-45 kWh/m2 per year for space heating) combined with solar heat production.

  • Concentrating Solar Power and its Prospect in Bangladesh (2009)-

    This article from the University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh explores the potential of building a concentrating solar power plant (CSP) in Bangladesh, to overcome the crisis in the power sector. Bangladesh has an average annual solar radiation of nearly 1,900kWh/m2, which is sufficient to operate a CSP plant. Studies foreseen that by 2015 the capital costs of the plant would become $3,800/kWe.

  • Solar Thermal Energy Solutions (2010)-

    As heat accounts for almost 50% of the final energy demand in the EU, the use of solar thermal technologies should be considered as a very valuable option for EU member States when drafting the national renewable action plans, resulting from the so-called RES 2020 Directive (2009/28/EC).

  • Solar Thermal Power Plants –Firm Capacity with 100% Renewables (2009)-

    This is a presentation from the company Solar Millennium AG, made during the CUEN (Cambridge University Energy Network) 3rd annual energy conference in June 2009. It provides an overview of solar energy capacity, opportunities, technologies and market evolution possibilities. After a brief panorama of the world’ solar potential, by geographical location and type of technology, the authors explain the evolution of solar technologies since 1912 until now.

  • Low Carbon Future (2011)-

    This is an overview presented by the Southern Africa Solar Thermal and Electricity Association (SASTELA) concerning the potential, developments and future perspectives for both solar thermal and PV energy in Africa, especially in South Africa. The main objective is to develop and interconnect the African nascent grid to the EU electrical grid by 2050. Following a brief presentation of SASTELA’s 10 objectives, the document provides some context information linked to the CSP (concentrating solar power) potential of Africa and the main activities under development.

  • Solar Energy in Argentina (2007)-

    This document, published by INENCO Instituto UNSa-CONICET (Instituto de Investigación en Energías No Convencionales), provides an overview of solar energy in Argentina.

  • How Upper Austria Become the World's Leading Solar Thermal Market (2010)-

    This paper, produced by O.O. Energiesparverband, the energy agency of Upper Austria, allows the reader to understand what makes Upper Austria a leading market for solar thermal in Europe. The publication goes through the general concepts of solar thermal to the specific case of Austria and its application in single-family houses, apartment buildings, hotels, restaurants, public, commercial and institutional buildings. This interesting publication also passes in review policy and financial instruments used by government to boost the use of this technology.

  • 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.

  • The Renewables Market in MENA – Opportunities and Challenges (2010)-

    This document produced by the law firm Freshfields provides a rich overview of the use of renewable energy sources in the Middle East and North Africa region, also known as MENA region. It includes country briefings on Saudi Arabia, UAE, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and North Africa.

  • Assessment of the Techno-Economic Potential of CSP for Electricity and Desalination in Mediterranean Partner Countries (2010)-

    This document is one of the deliverables of the MED-CSD project. The main aim of this FP7 project is the assessment of the technico-economic potential of CSP for electricity and desalination in the Mediterranean region. The document explores the demand for water and electricity in the Mediterranean and assesses the market potential of CSP in a number of countries (Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Jordan, Israel, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon).

  • A Common Framework for a Coordinated/Harmonised Policy on Renewable Heating (2010)-

    The present document was prepared in the framework of the RES-H Policy project (Policy development for improving RES-H/C penetration in European Member States). The RES-H Policy project, supported by the European Commission through the IEE programme, has the objective of supporting EU Member States (Austria, Greece, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland and UK) in the implementation of the so-called RES 2020 Directive (2009/28/EC).

  • The Financial Benefits of Solar Hot Water Systems to Barbados (2010)-

    This presentation, brought by the Barbadian company Solar Dynamics Barbados, touches upon the success story of Barbados and solar water heating installations.

    Two important factors explain this success: the government's recognition of the need and the benefits of going solar and the fast development of the industry at a time of rapidly rising electricity and energy costs.

    The presentation goes through the evolution verified, the support schemes that were created together with other measures leading to such a remarkable success of solar thermal in Barbados.

  • Renewable Desalination Market Analysis: Oceania, South Africa, Middle East & North Africa (2010)-

    This report was released as part of the Project ProDes (Promotion of Renewable Energy for Water production through Desalination). The project ProDes (2008-2010) brings together 14 European organisations in order to support the market development of renewable energy desalination technology in Southern Europe. At present the main renewable energy technology options for powering desalination (reverse osmosis or distillation technologies) are: solar thermal, concentrated solar power, photovoltaic, wind power, geothermal energy and ocean energy.

  • Yemen: Framework to Promote Domestic Solar Water Heaters (2009)-

    This presentation was made during the Regional Workshop on SWH Certification and Standardization organised by RCREEE (Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency) in Tunisia in autumn 2009. The presentation shows the results of a study on the framework needed for the introduction of domestic solar water heaters in Yemen.

  • Potential Analysis for a New Generation of Solar Thermal Systems in the Southern Mediterranean Countries (2007)-

    This document is one of the deliverables of the Solarterm Project. The project, funded by the European Commission 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, gathers 18 partners including eight southern Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia) and the five EU countries (Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Malta and Spain). The objective of the project is to boost the use of solar thermal and cooling systems in the southern Mediterranean countries.

  • Thematic Review of GEF-Financed Solar Thermal Projects (2001)-

    This paper reports the developments of four projects financed by the UN Global Environment Facility (GEF) in India, Morocco, Mexico and Egypt. The GEF chose those countries to develop solar thermal power technology as it has shown to be one of the most cost efficient options for renewable bulk power production, besides being the most cost-effective way of producing electricity from solar radiation.

  • Renewables for Heating and Cooling (2007)- This document, prepared by the International Energy Agency, comes as a follow-up of the 2006 seminar “Renewable heating and cooling – from RD&D to deployment technology and policy” aimed at exploring guidelines and policy initiatives to boost technology development and market deployment for renewable heating and cooling (REHC).
  • Commitments Toward Wind and Energy Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy Integration in Algeria, Jordan, Tunisia and Turkey (2009)-

    The REMAP Project (Action Plan for High Priority Renewable Energy Initiatives in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Area) is a two years initiative funded under the European Commission FP6 with the goal of investigating two electricity generation technologies: wind power and concentrated solar power, in nine European and Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Jordan, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey).

  • Solar Energy for Heating Purposes - Soon Profitable in Norway? (2009)-

    This report provides a brief summary of the technological status of solar thermal technology in Norway.

    The report discusses if the use of energy for heating purposes will be possible for Norway in the near future. The utilisation of solar energy to supplement the energy supply has a relatively small distribution in Norway, compared to other Nordic countries such as Denmark and Sweden.

  • The Missing Piece in Climate Policy: Renewable Heating and Cooling in Germany and in the US (2008)- This document released by the Heinrich Böll Foundation goes through the renewable heating and cooling market status and existing policy support both in the US and in Germany.
  • 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.

  • The Solar Thermal Market in Thailand-

    The Thai market could reach a 40% use of solar thermal energies in ten years time if the correct policies are put into place, concludes a study presented during a Renewable Energy Conference, in 2007, in Bangkok.

  • Evaluation of the Renewable Energy Application in Mediterranean Hotels. Case Study: the Balearic Islands` Hotels (2006)-

    In the services sector, hotels are a high energy consumer, which offers a good opportunity to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including solar thermal, in the tourism sector, especially in the Mediterranean region, as this paper emphasizes. This paper goes through the potential of the RES' use in the total energy consumption of hotels situated in the Spanish Balearic Islands, a very famous touristic destination, with about half a million beds available.

  • Overview of Solar Thermal Technologies (1999)-

    This document, from 1999, provides an overview of key solar thermal applications - parabolic troughs, power towers and dish/engine systems - their characteristics, the kind of application they are best suited for, system performance, technologic comparison, together with a cost vs. value analysis.

  • 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.
  • Solar Thermal in China (2002)-

    This document of the Zhejiang Energy Research Institute, from 2002, provides an overview of the evolution of solar thermal use in China, since its start in early 50s until recent days, emphasising the resolutions of both the 2000-2015 Development Plan and the five -year Plan for the New and Renewable Energy Industry Development of China.

  • Global Potential of Concentrating Solar Power (2009)-

    This paper presented at the 2009 SolarPaces Conference in Berlin sets out an analysis of the potential of concentrating solar power (CSP) on a global scale. The paper starts with assessing the level of direct normal solar irradiation needed for CSP plants which is combined with an analysis of the suitable land resources based on various site criteria.

  • UNEP Report on Green Jobs (2008)-

    The Worldwatch Institute has put together this report, funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the emergence of a “green economy” and its impact on the world workforce in the 21st Century. It gathers information for current green jobs in key economic sectors (renewable energy, buildings and construction, transportation, basic industry, agriculture, and forestry) and presents estimates for future green employment.

  • Solar Thermal Energy - Solar “thermal” energy designate all technologies that collect solar rays and transform their energy into usable heat, either for directly satisfying heating needs (notably space heating, water heating – and space cooling) or for producing electricity and fuels. The latter includes concentrating solar power technologies, and other concepts such as solar updraft towers and ocean thermal energy. This paper thus considers all direct forms of solar energy except photovoltaic, assessing resource potential, technology status, and supporting policies.
  • Renewable Energy Resources in Lebanon: Practical Applications (2005)-

    As Lebanon is among the few countries in the Middle East that are not endowed with fossil fuels it is crucial for the country to find alternative energy sources. This document prepared by the Lebanese American University looks at the various renewable energy sources, assessing its application in Lebanon. The document concludes that solar thermal water heating for residential houses is the best renewable energy alternative for Lebanon. It is proved to be the most cost effective system, requiring minimum initial investment.

  • Thermal Storage Analysis in CSP Plants (2009)- This presentation, prepared by Leonardo Energy, describes and discusses ways to improve solar thermal storage technologies, notably melted salt and concrete storage. The improvement of these technologies would allow a better profit of the energy produced by power plants.
  • Solar Cooling Malaysia (2009)-

    This document was submitted by the company Solar District Cooling to the ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub-Sector Network for the ASEAN Energy Awards 2009. The document explains the efforts of the company in boosting solar cooling technologies in Malaysia. The document includes an overview of the potential of Malaysia in solar energy, an explanation of solar cooling and comparison with electric cooling, especially on what regards technical and operating costs and energy consumption. A solar cooling roadmap for Malaysia is also provided.

  • Solar Cooking in Central American Solar Energy Project (CASEP)-

    This document and website provide detailed information about the Central American Solar Energy Project (CASEP), which promotes the construction and use of solar cookers in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The project has an environmental purpose - promoting the use of solar thermal energy for cooking – as well as a social function, empowering women, by helping them to develop other skills, through constructing and using solar cookers.

  • The Solar Thermal Market in Tunisia- This document, dated from 2002, provides background information on the implementation of solar thermal energies in Tunisia. The first distributions of solar heaters in Tunisia date back to the early 1980’s, but the real take-off only happened thanks to a World Environment Fund (WEF) project. The project objective was to stimulate the market, overcome financial barriers, by reducing the purchase price (a 35% subsidy of the investment cost of SWH was put in place), and to create a local base of industrialists and operators.
  • Green Chiller: Promoting Solar Air Conditioning-

    solar cooling of malta retirement house Cooling with the sun: This retirement home in Kalkara, Malta, is conditioned by a chillii Solar Cooling Kit PSC10 (10 kW cooling capacity). 38 m² flat plate collectors are used to generate the heat for the ammonia/water absorption chiller.
    Photo: SolarNext

  • Tunisian Market Growing Rapidly- The Tunisian solar thermal market has increased tenfold in only the last four years. Before starting the grant programme Prosol II in 2005, only 7,000 m2 had been installed in Tunisia (4.9 MWth). Last year already showed installations of 60,000 m2 (42 MWth), 74 % more than in the previous year. For 2008, the official target is 80,000 m2 (56 MWth) of newly installed collector area.
  • Medium Scale Solar Crop Dryers for Agricultural Products in Barbados-

    Solar crop dryers are a cost effective solution to tackle problems related to food preservation in sunny climates. In some communities, solar energy is often the only heat source which can be used to dry low cost agricultural products economically. However as natural gas prices are very cheap in Barbados, this solar application tends to lose its attractiveness for most operators.

  • Lebanon Solar Thermal Market (1996)- A comprehensive overview of the Lebanese market for solar thermal technology is offered by this document, taken from Sun in Action 1 (published in 1996). The document emphasizes aspects like the finance and incentive methods, the estimated annual production, product types and solar thermal applications and the prospects for market development. A short directory of companies is also provided. Download document here or read it below
  • Austria: a Key Solar Thermal Market in Europe (2007)-

    This presentation provided by Austria Solar in 2007 offers relevant information about the Austrian solar thermal market, its evolution, the existing subsidies, publicity campaigns, training courses, together with the key figures that proof the remarkable development it has achieved in the last years.

  • Pilot Project for the Installation of Solar Collectors on Easter Island (2006/2007)-

    These two reports provide a technical and economic evaluation of a Pilot Project on Easter Island, integrated in the Chile National Plan to promote the use of Solar Collectors. The Easter Island was selected as pilot region for the implementation of this national plan due to its favourable weather conditions. The preliminary conclusions of this initial report confirm the potential of solar thermal energy for sanitary water heating in Chile.

  • Commercial combined Solar and Pellet Heating Systems (2004)-

    Electrical heaters are often used as the auxiliary heat source for solar thermal heating systems, but the use of wood pellets in pellet stoves and pellet boilers is becoming more and more popular. In Sweden, which is the most developed European market for pellet heating systems for one-and two-family houses, an estimated 30000 pellet heating units had already been installed by the end of 2001.

  • Market Study on Solar Collectors in Chile (2006)-

    In 2004, the consumption of primary energy sources in Chile was still very significant (oil 39%; natural gas 19%; hydroelectricity 18%; coal 10% and wood and other fuels 14%). Given this high dependence on fossil fuels, the Government of Chile has set a target of supplying 15% of the new electric generating capacity with renewable energy sources between 2006 and 2010. With this in mind, the Chile Energy National Commission commissioned this study in order to help developing a national plan for the promotion of solar thermal energy in Chile.