USA

• Wright State Solar Tour Event (2010)-

  This presentation was created by Wright State University. It provides information on the “Solar Tour” of their campus, focusing on their newly installed solar thermal hot water heating system for the campus swimming pool.

• Solar Air-Conditioning Systems in North America (2010)-

  This presentation was created by Lucio Mesquita of solar energy company EnerWorks. It focuses on the use and prevalence of solar thermal air-conditioning in the United States.

• Solar Thermal Generation of Electrical Power on California Freeway’s Shoulders and Median (2009)-

  This report was written by Saurin Shah and Tejas Bhagwat of California State University, Sacramento. It focuses on their research into the feasibility of installing solar thermal systems along Californian freeways and highways to generate electricity for use in stoplights, tolls, and other features of the California highway system.

• District Energy Solar Thermal System, St. Paul (2012)-

  This case study focuses on the district energy solar thermal heating system installed on the Saint Paul River Centre in St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time of the installation in 2011, this was the largest known solar thermal hot water heating installation in the United States.

• Solar Water Heaters (2011)-

  This report was compiled by Manaar Zuhurudeen, a Research Assistant at The Saylor Foundation, and posted on Saylor’s website as part of their efforts to support online higher education for free. It supplies and covers the essential information on how the different types of solar thermal water heating technologies.

• Commercial Solar Water Heating California (2010)-

  This brochure was created by San Francisco Environment, a department of San Francisco County and City government. It provides information on solar thermal water heating for commercial and business use. Two solar thermal government incentives are detailed, more of which can be found here.

• Solar Energy Use in U.S. Agriculture Overview and Policy Issues (2011)-

  This report was written by Irene M. Xiarchos and Brian Vick of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). It focuses on the use of solar energy and the policy issues pertaining to it in the agricultural market, including a focus on solar thermal.

• Solar Thermal Power (2007)-

  This brochure was created by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It quickly explains how solar thermal water heating works, the necessity of essential tax credits to the industry, some of the key technology in the systems, and how certification works.

• Solar Water Heater (2010)-

  This report was written by Jean Cariou of the Global Energy Network Institute. It is a comprehensive study of the technology, the economics, and the feasibility of large scale solar thermal installations.

• Solar Thermal Energy Solutions (2008)-

  This report was written by Chamomile Nusz of the Artha Sustainable Living Center. The report presents a comprehensive overview of solar thermal technology and of the solar thermal industry.

• Advancement of Solar Thermal Technologies (2010)-

  This presentation was created by Jane H. Davidson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota. It focuses on large scale power generation for possible industrial use of solar thermal.

• Solar Thermal Trends, Performance-Based Incentives, and RPS (2012)-

  This presentation was created by the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) and was presented originally as a webinar. It focuses on trends in solar thermal and the implementation of solar thermal technology as part of renewable energy statewide portfolios.

• Low-Cost Residential Solar Thermal Systems (2007)-

  This paper comes from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It reports on new technology being used in solar thermal systems, and the materials and designs that make this solar thermal technology possible and feasible for consumer deployment.

• Case Study: University of Texas (2012)-

  This case study was created by Cinco Solar, and provides information on a project they completed at the University of Texas. The installation provides air heating and process heat for the building.

• Solar Power System for Lunar ISRU Applications (2010)-

  This paper was written by Takashi Nakamura and Benjamin K. Smith of Physical Sciences, Inc. It reports on a project their company has undertaken, to create a solar thermal system that can effectively be used as a means of oxygen production from lunar regolith, which is the top layer of material on the moon.

• 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.

• Design of a 2.5kW Low Temperature Stirling Engine for Distributed Solar Thermal Generation (2011)-

  This research paper comes from Mike He and Seth Sandersy of the University of California – Berkeley. It reports on their efforts to design a Stirling engine for distributed solar thermal applications.

• Guide to Solar Thermal Incentives in Washington DC (2012)-

  This report from the District Department of the Environment, Washington DC’s local environmental agency, details how local citizens can use the city’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program (REIP) to receive incentives for using solar thermal systems. Further information on solar thermal incentives worldwide can be found here.

• Solar Hot Water Incentive Program - Connecticut (2012)-

  This brochure was created by Connecticut Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority. It provides information on access to state incentives for solar thermal water heating. It is an updated version of this document with similar information from 2009. For information on other solar thermal incentive programs please click here.

• Solar Thermal Roof Tile Heating Systems (2011)-

  This document was created by American Solar, and it provides information on their innovative solar thermal air heating and water heating roofing systems.

• US Military Solar Thermal Energy Applications (2011)-

  This presentation was created by Ben Gravely of Holocene LLC. It reports on how the US Military has been taking advantage of solar thermal applications.

  The presentation presents examples and photos of solar thermal being used for various hot water heating purposes across the spectrum of US Military needs, and even some state and federal government settings. Solar thermal is used in residential homes on bases, and in the commercial setting that support these homes. The presentation also shows solar thermal being used for schools and post offices.

• Case Study: Maricopa County Jail Complex -

  This case study was created by the technology company Bosch Thermotechnology. It reports on their installation of solar thermal systems throughout the Maricopa County Jail Complex in Arizona.

• Glasses for Solar Energy II: Solar Thermal Energy (2012)-

  This presentation was created by Rui M. Almeida of Lehigh University. It focuses on the use of glass in solar thermal energy applications and systems.

• Advancement of Distributed Solar Thermal Technologies in the U.S. (2009)-

  This presentation was created by Professor Jane Davidson of the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Minnesota. It focuses on where potential growth in the solar thermal market could be in the US and what new technologies could help advance solar thermal.

• Solar Thermal 2012, Milwaukee- SOLAR THERMAL '12 is a national solar heating and cooling event that will be held December 6 to 7, 2012, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The two-day conference and networking event addresses industry professionals including: installers, manufacturers, distributors, engineers, designers, policy makers, code officials, and trainers. The goal of the organisers is to speed solar thermal market transformation by "connecting the dots" across the industry.
• Optimizing Solar Thermal Performance with Data loggers (2009)-

  This white paper from Onset Computer Corporation explains how consumers, engineers, installers and technicians can take advantage of data loggers to make sure their solar thermal systems are running at peak performance.

• Price-Competitive Solar Thermal Flat Plate Systems (2011)-

  This presentation was written and produced by Carin Hall and Michael Magno of Business Review USA. It provides an overview of AET Solar and their solar thermal flat plate collector manufacturing business.

• Bard College Shines (2012)-

  This case study was written by Gerhard Klier of EarthKind Solar. It details an installation project at Bard College in New York that was undertaken with funds from the Recovery Act.

• 5 Day Entry Level Solar Thermal Design & Installation Course Outline (2011)-

  This brochure details an instruction course for entry level solar thermal system design and installation. It provides details on the focus of the course, the topics it will cover, and what those who take the course can say they are qualified to do.

• 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.

• NJ Green Building Manual - Solar Thermal Systems (2011)-

  This excerpt from the New Jersey Green Building Manual focuses on solar thermal water heating systems. It was published by Rutgers University, and includes information on the costs and benefits of solar thermal systems.

• Information Guide: Solar Hot Water Basics (2009)-

  This information guide was published by the solar energy company Sunmaxx. It provides information on different solar thermal systems, technology, and their various applications.

• 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.

• Magdalena Schools Heat Water and Save Money with ARRA-Funded Solar Thermal Systems (2010)-

  This case study comes from the New Mexico Energy Department. It looks at how the Magdalena School District installed solar thermal water heating systems in their schools with federal stimulus money.

  The Magdalena school is small, with a 124,000 square foot building and about 450 children. The schools hot water was being supplied by 2 propane fueled boilers, one at 600,000 BTUs and one at 1,000,000 BTUs. Now, the school has two 20-gallon heat exchangers, both supplied with water heated by four solar thermal panels, saving the school around 20% on its energy costs.

• 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.

• USA: Solar Army Guide recommends optimal System Configurations-

  Dr. Alexander Zhivov of the US Army Corps of Engineers presented the recently developed US Army Guide on Central Solar Water Heating Systems at the Intersolar North America conference in the middle of July 2011 (see attached presentation). The speaker is Senior Principal Investigator at the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the US Army and Project Manager of the Solar Guide. The 321-page study analyses the potential and technical feasibility of domestic hot water production in US Army facilities, such as barracks, dining facilities, hospitals or gyms.
  Photo: US Army

• USA: Solar Water Heaters Survive Energy Star Revisions-

  During the revision of the Energy Star specifications, solar water heaters were in danger of losing the label because of their long financial payback times (see http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/3217). The third draft of the revised requirements, which was published on 19 March, has now put an end to the uncertainty: the EPA has included solar water heaters even in its most recent document. A relief for all solar thermal producers – albeit they still criticise the high solar share required.

• USA: Contractor Runs 7,804 m² Collector System at Prestage Foods Factory-

  There is now one more solar process heat installation in the US – and it is one of the country’s largest, too. Since October 2011, more than 50 people were working onsite, 7 days a week, to put the system in place. 84,000 ft² of collector area (7,804 m²) are going to supply an estimated 100,000 gallon (378,541 litres) of hot water (160-180 °F = 71 to 82 °C) per day. The water will be used in the turkey processor´s company in St Pauls, North Carolina. Contractor and owner of the solar thermal system is FLS Energy, one of the major developers of commercial solar thermal installations in the US. The commissioning of the new system was officially announced at a press conference at the beginning of April.
  Photo: FLS Energy

• Arizona Solar Energy and Economics Outlook (2009)-

  This report was arranged by William P. Patton, Ph. D., Economic and Business Research Center, University of Arizona. The document discusses the need for the United States to make the switch from fossil fuels to solar energy as a more reliable and environmentally sound energy source.

  A study was conducted in Arizona in order to discover the potential for solar electric generation in Arizona and also to figure out the economic and environmental impacts on the increased use of solar power.

• Solar Thermal Community Action – Canada (2008)-

  This is an action manual presented by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) presented in 2008.

  The manual follows an agenda which starts with the solar thermal basics and applications and moves on to why solar thermal energy can succeed in Canada. It mentions the best economic choices for commercial and residential solar thermal systems and includes a solar resource assessment chart. This displays a map that is color-coded for the amount of solar radiation annually in Canada.

• India: Two Solar Desalination Pilot Projects by Tinox-Mage-

  One box on three Euro palettes brings the desalination unit to the site: The MiniSal 1000 purifies up to 1,000 litres of sea or brackish water per day like this installation in the town of Al-Hail in Oman. The first two pilot projects in India are already under way.
  Photo: Mage Water Management

• Regulatory Framework for CST Promotion (2010)-

  This presentation was made during the Southern African Regional Workshop on Concentrating Solar Thermal Power that took place in Botswana in May 2010. The event was organised by the Energy Anchor (ETWEN) and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Resources of the Government of Botswana.

• USA: Slowdown in 2009 while Imports go up-

  Slowdown in the US: After the 2008 peak, the total sold area of medium temperature collectors decreased by 5 % in 2009, to 204,700 m². Exports amounted to only 2,100 m² of collector area, which means that the newly installed collector area in the United States in 2009 adds up to a total of 202,500 m².
  Source: Energy Information Administration

• 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.

• Concentrated Solar Power: Focusing the Sun’s Energy for Large‐scale Power Generation (2009)-

  This factsheet was created by Tracy Jennings and Laura Parsons of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute based in Washington D.C. It focuses on the various system types of concentrating solar power and its key features.

• Solar Thermal Fact Sheet for Domestic Hot Water Systems (2009)-

  This fact sheet covers the essentials of solar thermal hot water heating systems used in residential settings. It was created by Green Energy Ohio.

  According to the Department of Energy, there are currently over 1 million installed solar thermal water heating systems in the US. Germany has a greater amount of solar production than the US, even though the US has greater solar potential. The fact sheet ends by describing for Ohioans how solar thermal should be optimally installed, what the essential parts are, and the things to look for in maintenance and repair.

• Solar Hot Water: Value By Design (2011)-

  This brochure comes from the solar energy company Heliodyne. It explains how solar thermal technology works, its benefits, and offers case studies of solar thermal water heating in action. This document would be useful to anyone interested in examining the current market for solar thermal products in detail.

• Analyzing the Design and Performance of a Retrofit Solar Thermal Combination DHW and Space Heating System (2010)-

  This paper comes from James Dontie of Gustavus Adolphus College. It reports on an analysis of a solar thermal combination domestic hot water and space heating system which was retrofitted into a residence in Minnesota.

• 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: High Subsidy Level and Slow Motion in California-

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

• Concentrating Solar Power -Technology, Cost, and Markets (2008)-

  This report analyzes the current state of concentrating solar power (CSP) technology and its market, and makes predictions on the impact that CSP will have on the broader energy markets in the next decade. It was written by the sustainable technology research firm the Prometheus Institute for Greentech Media, an online sustainable energy focused media company.

• Solar Thermal Applications in the Delmarva Poultry Industry (2006)-

  This report was written for the Delaware Million Solar Roofs Coalition (DEMSR). It focuses on the use of solar thermal installations by the poultry sector in the “Delmarva” area as a result of a Delaware state government initiative to increase the use of renewable energy throughout the state.

• 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

• USA: Massachusetts Supports Commercial Solar Systems with up to USD 25,000-

  In Massachusetts, a new support programme for large-scale solar thermal systems has come into effect recently. Building owners can now apply for grants of up to USD 25,000 (residential and commercial systems) or even USD 30,000 (systems on public buildings) thanks to the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Commercial Pilot Program. Pre-studies can also be funded with up to USD 10,000 – applicants have only to pay 25 % of the costs themselves and will receive the rest as a grant. The photo shows the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
  Photo: Jens Goetzke/pixelio

• USA: Solar Heating and Cooling R&D Renewed-

  
  In policy lobbying even a single sentence included in a bill is, in some cases, already a huge success. This is exactly the case for the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that has recently passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. “The Committee supports ongoing Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) research and development activities within the Building Technologies Program”, is the key sentence in the report that accompanies the bill.

• Diagnosis of Solar Water Heaters Using Solar Storage Tank Surface Temperature Data (2009)-

  This technical paper comes from Jay Burch and Lee Magnuson of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It is an analysis of the efficiency of thermal storage in solar thermal water heating systems being used in residential settings.

• Singapore: World's largest Solar Cooling Plant in Commissioning Phase-

  The solar thermal cooling plant at the United World College (UWC) in Singapore has now entered the commissioning phase. The system's collector surface covers an area of 3,900 m² and powers a 1,500 kW cooling unit, which is based on a single-effect lithium bromide absorption chiller. The United World Colleges are international schools with an emphasis on social and environmental issues. With 2,900 pupils, Singapore's UWC is the largest of the 13 colleges spread around the world.
  Photo: S.O.L.I.D.

• Solar Water Heating Pilot Program Procedures (2009)-

  This document was put out by Progress Energy Carolinas (PEC) in 2009. They wanted to conduct a solar water heating pilot programme in North Carolina to measure and validate the achievable energy savings and coincident peak impacts associated with implementing residential solar water heating. The goal is to determine the demand and energy impacts from solar water heating installations in the Carolinas rather than relying on information from other regions of the country. This document lays out all the objectives, purposes, participant eligibility, and background on PEC.

• Eurosun 2010: Joining Forces for Europe’s biggest Solar Heating and Cooling Conference -

  All signs point to a successful conference: Experienced event organizer AEE Intec from Austria and PSE from Germany, teamed up with the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the members of the International Energy Agency's (IEA SHC) Solar Heating and Cooling Programme to organize this year´s Eurosun conference.

• Solar Victory in the U.S.-

  The first days of October were sunny days for the renewables in the United States. First the Senate and two days later the House of Representatives passed the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 which extends the 30 % investment tax credits (ITC) for solar thermal systems as well as photovoltaics through 2016.

• Wisconsin: Right Place for Solar Thermal Conference-

  Solar water heater systems in the state of Wisconsin: The number of commercial systems made a big jump in 2009, whereas the market for residential systems stagnated. The photo shows a collector field on the roof of a high-school swimming pool.
  Photo: Focus on Energy

• MEDA Limited- Thank you very much for allowing me to introduce myself and my organization. MEDA, is a quality contract and direct placement organization that specializes in Energy Municipal Services, Civil, Government, Engineering, Information Technology, Finance and Project Management. There are several divisions of our organization throughout the United States and Canada which include, MEDA Limited, MEDA Technical Services Group, MEDA E-Quality, and MEDA Engineering and Technical Services, LLC.
• Connect 2011: Making Solar Thermal a Part of Your Business-

  This presentation discusses the main benefits that using solar thermal energy can bring to a business. With charts and other interesting info-graphics, it compares the potential of solar thermal energy to the use of gasoline, coal, oil and uranium. Comparing future costs and output levels, it shows the inherent advantages of installing solar thermal energy systems.

• Making Solar Simple (2009)-

  This presentation was created by the Sierra Club. It covers a number of topics relating to solar thermal, including where in the US is there the best conditions, applications, designs, and the technology that goes into specific solar thermal projects.

• 8 Things to Know About Solar Water Heating (2011)-

  This fact sheet was created by the solar energy company Aztec Solar. It provides some fast facts on solar thermal technology for domestic water heating. This document answers some common consumer questions about solar thermal water heating.

• Solar Thermal Fact Sheet - Harvard Green Campus Initiative (2008)-

  This fact sheet was created by the Harvard Green Campus Initiative. It details and explains what solar thermal technology is and how it can be used for water heating, particularly in a climate similar to that of Harvard’s.

• 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.

• California: CPUC Approves 8-Year Incentive Programme with a Budget of US$ 351 Million-

  On the 21^st of January, the Californian Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) finally approved the “California Solar Initiative (CSI) – Thermal Program”. The eight-year programme has a budget of US$ 351 million and is thought to financially assist home owners and proprietors of commercial buildings who replace natural gas or electric geysers with solar water heaters (see the final decision of CPUC attached).

• US Solar Thermal Market Outlook (2010)-

  This presentation was created by Ed Murray and presented in conjunction with the California Solar Energy Industries Association (CSEIA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It reports on the outlook for the domestic US solar thermal market in 2010. This would be a good document for anyone interested in comparing expected growth versus actualized growth in the solar thermal industry.

• SHELD Solar Thermal Rebate Program (2011)-

  This brochure was created by The Home Energy Loss Prevention Service (HELPS), which provides energy assessment services to Massachusetts customers of The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC). It details the objectives and design of the South Hadley Electric Light Department (SHELD) solar thermal rebate program, which was created by the Massachusetts town of South Hadley. More information on solar thermal incentives can be found here.

• Understanding Federal Tax Incentives for Residential Solar Thermal Systems (2009)-

  This brochure was created by the Beckett Corporation, and explains how consumers can utilize three different tax credits in the United States to install a solar thermal hot water heating system in their home. More information on solar thermal incentives can be found here.

• California Solar Initiative Thermal Program Quarterly Progress Report (2011)-

  This is a progress report on the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Thermal Program, covering October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. It was prepared by the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) on behalf of the CSI Thermal Program Administrators. More information on the CSI Thermal Program and similar solar thermal incentive programs can be found here.

• San Francisco Solar Water-Heated Homes and Organizations (2009)-

  This brochure was created by San Francisco Environment, which is a department of the City and County of San Francisco. It presents two case studies of successful solar thermal water heating installations in San Francisco.

• Solar Hot Water Systems (2009)-

  This report was written by Jeffrey Yago, P.E., CEM, of AMECO Solar. It explains the various kinds of solar thermal water heating systems and the important parts that enable solar thermal water heating to work.

• Solar Water Heater Project: Design for Sustainable Communities (2009)-

  This report was written by Professor Ashok Gadgil of the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at the University of California. The professor and a team of student researchers set out to design a solar thermal water heating system for use by native populations in Guatemala, and the document reports on their success.

• Solar Domestic Hot Water Heating Systems: Design, Installation and Maintenance (2009)-

  This presentation was created by Christopher A. Homola, PE for the American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE). It contains a brief history of solar thermal water heating, information on the environmental and economic benefits of SWH, and information on the science and technology that goes into SWH.

• Solar Thermal – Direct Energy FAQ (2010)-

  This FAQ document was created by the solar energy company WePOWER and focuses on questions relating to solar thermal. The information within focuses on potential energy cost savings and environmental benefits.

• 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.

• Case Study - Bexar County Adult Detention Center Annex (2012)-

  This document is a case study from CincoSolar, Inc. that showcases one of the largest evacuated tube solar thermal systems in the country. The Bexar County Adult Detention Center Annex installed 216 evacuated tube solar thermal panels and is now saving $60,000 annually in energy costs.

• Matthew Carlson Speaks About the 'Solar Thermal Advantage' Initiative - This is an interview with Matthew Carlson, CEO of the US company Sunnvations, made during ESTEC 2011, in Marseille. Matthew Carlson speaks about the innovative products of its company. He also explains the objectives of the US initiative 'Solar Thermal Advantage'. For more Solarthermalworld.org interviews, please check our YouTube Channel.
• 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.

• Sonnenkraft: “We Have a Responsibility to Innovate and Develop Solar Energy”- With the expansion to the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Sonnenkraft’s network of sales offices now spans across nine countries. When adding the company’s partnerships in other markets, the manufacturer is among the solar thermal businesses with the most extensive market coverage across Europe. Solarthermalworld.org spoke to Magnus Wallin (left), who has been Director of new and emerging markets in Sonnenkraft since 2008, and Torben Sørensen (right), CEO of SolarCAP since 2010 (the Danish holding company of Sonnenkraft – among other companies) who came from a position as CEO of Faber and Benthin Group (subsidiaries of VKR Holding), about the market potential in different European countries and the company’s future growth strategy.
  Photos: Sonnenkraft
• Solar Water Heating – Natural Gas Assisted or Stand Alone Solar?" (2011)-

  This presentation was created by Paul Outram of Sun Earth Inc. It provides background information on solar thermal water heating technology, and finishes by making the case for the necessity of hybrid natural gas – solar thermal water heating systems. The presentation is illustrated with photos and graphs throughout.

• Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems in New York City (2011)-

  This report was written by the Community Environmental Center (CEC), which aids in the development and expansion of energy efficient infrastructure. With the support of two solar energy companies, Community Environmental Center installed 18 solar thermal water heating systems in multi-family and commercial buildings in New York City. That project prompted CEC to write this report, which provides technical and economic information on solar thermal water heating.

• Solar Thermal Systems – For Domestic Hot Water (2011) -

  This document was created by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. It extols on the benefits of solar thermal system usage for NY state residents in their homes, and provides resources for consumers to learn more about systems.

• India’s First Reliable Solar Map Coming Soon-

  Until now, there has not been any reliable data on solar radiation levels in India. This is why developers of solar power and solar process heat installations usually refer to NASA and its satellite images when it comes to identifying the locations with the best solar radiation and to forecast the solar yield of a planned system. However, the US space agency’s radiation maps are not as adequate as they might seem to be. Developers of solar power plants have already observed differences between the actual power output and the forecast from satellite data. A new research project supported by the German development agency is now thought to fill the gap. Within the next two years, the SolMap project should be able to offer a solar map of India. The photo shows one of the monitoring stations of the Indian Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET).
  Photo: C-Wet

• Break-even Cost for Residential Solar Water Heating in the United States: Key Drivers and Sensitivities (2011)-

  This technical report was written by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). It examines the technology and economics that determine whether the cost of energy saved by a residential solar thermal hot water heating system will equal the cost of purchasing electricity or natural gas generated heat from the grid. This is known as the break-even cost.

• Getting into Hot Water in the United States: The Case of EnerWorks (2011)-

  This case study was written by Ryan Walter of Ryerson University and was published by the Entrepreneurial Practice Review. It is a business case study on the beginnings of the expansion of Canadian based solar thermal hot water heating company EnerWorks.

• Solar Water Heating: A Guide for Electric Co-op Customers (2010)-

  This brochure was written by the research service arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative (NRECA). It explains how solar thermal hot water heating could be beneficial for electric cooperative consumers and members.

• Solar Water Heating (2011)-

  This brochure is from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It covers the basics of solar thermal hot water heating technology.

• 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.

• Solar Thermal Power and Energy Storage Historical Perspective (2011)-

  This paper comes from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It presents a comprehensive history of the innovations behind solar thermal technology and how it has reached its current state.

• Solar Hot Water Systems (2008)-

  This flyer was created by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Assocation (NESEA). It provides information on the basics of solar thermal water heating and provides resources with information on how to best select a system.

• Solar Heating & Cooling, SEIA, and Your Company (2012)-

  This presentation was developed by Katherine Stainken of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and was used to educate members and nonmembers of the association on the benefits of SEIA policy advocacy activities focused on solar thermal. It is a good summary for those interested in the lobbying efforts of the solar thermal industry at the state level.

• Solar Power for Tomorrow's World (2011)-

  This presentation was created by Ken May of Abengoa Solar, and was published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). It explains the potential of solar thermal to displace conventional electric use and create long term utility savings.

• Solar Thermal Alternative Residential Heating Methods (2011)-

  This report was written by the Kotzebue Electric Association (KEA), which helps provide electricity to the indigenous NANA Region of Kotzebue, Alaska. It reports on test efforts at installing solar thermal heating systems in a number of homes in Alaska that were in need of home heating assistance.

• Total Energy USA 2012, Houston- Total Energy USA will take place in Houston, Texas from 27 to 29 November 2012. The fair assembles all the energy sectors - fossil, renewable and nuclear - to give you a comprehensive look at different energy solutions that will generate energy business and help to address today’s energy challenges. In an event focused on how businesses are impacted by energy and designed to open new opportunities, visitors will have access to the latest information, new technologies and industry connections.
• Solar Hot Water in Alaska (2011)-

  This presentation was written by Harvey Bowers of the Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology (ACAT). It provides information on solar thermal water heating in cold climates and uses a case study and examples from installations in Alaska to demonstrate how solar thermal can be effective in similar settings.

• Colorado Solar Thermal Roadmap (2012)-

  This document presents a roadmap and strategy for developing the solar thermal market in Colorado and positioning the state as a leader in the research and development of solar thermal hot water heating technologies. It was developed by the Solar Thermal Alliance of Colorado.

• Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Rebate Program (2011)-

  This report was written by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. It provides information on the goals and structure of the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 as it pertains to solar thermal hot water heating.