Bulgaria

In May 2011, the Bulgarian government published its new Renewable Energy Act, with considerably less favourable conditions for investors in wind farm and photovoltaic projects. However, it removed some hurdles for installing solar collector systems on residential housing by eliminating construction permits for solar water heater installations. Solarthermalworld.org has asked some solar thermal system providers if this new requirement supported market development. The photo shows a solar thermal installation in the village of Lozen in the south-west of Bulgaria.
Photo: Frank Stier

South-East European Solar Exhibition (SEE Solar) will present up-to-date photovoltaic and solar thermal systems and bring together manufacturers, installers, investors, designers and consultants. The exhibition will take place parallel to the 8^th South-East European Congress & Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Sofia, Bulgaria from 28 to 30 March 2012. Both events are organized by Via Expo.

Running until 2012, “Widening the Thermal Solar Energy Exploitation by the Successful Models" (WidetheSee) is a project developed by 11 South-Eastern European countries and co-financed by the EU. It aims at promoting the usage of solar thermal technologies for domestic hot water appliances in the context of European policies concerning renewable energy sources and the reduction of fossil fuel dependence.

The countries of South-East Europe are facing numerous environmental challenges. The increasing of energy efficiency and renewable energy application is the best way for sustainable economic development of the Region. The 8^th International Congress and Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources takes place from 28 - 30 March 2012 in Sofia.

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

This is a presentation on different solar energy technologies, including photovoltaics and thermal. After a brief schematisation on what is the solar energy and how it can be used, the author explains the main differences between passive and active solar systems.

This is a brochure made by a Bulgarian company Bulgaria Therm about a solar concentrator which can be used for heating and cooling in a winter, such as in a summer period.

A comparison between this product and a solar collector is provided by graphics and schemes. Functional and technical characteristics are detailed and visually presented and the utility of its use in systems of cooling and heating are presented with a better ratio of efficiency than a solar collector. This solar concentrator can be linked to an energy network or to a private house.

The city of Shumen in the northeast of Bulgaria is becoming the centre of the national solar thermal industry. Right next to already established solar system manufacturer New Energy Systems, Bulgarian company Tesy has built up a solar tank and collector production unit last year. The company invested EUR 5 million for the new building and machinery.
Photo: Tesy

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

The 7th International Congress and Exhibition on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources takes place from 13 - 15 April 2011 in Sofia. Speakers from Bulgarian and foreign companies, institutions and associations will present the latest achievements and novelties in the field of the renewable energy and energy efficiency: technologies for solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and bio energy, energy efficient solutions, project financing and investment. Germany is again the Strategic partner of the event.