As a source of energy for brine heat pumps, a PV-thermal collector field is well suited to reducing power demand in existing and to-be-renovated single-family homes, researchers at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences have found.

IRENA identifies solar heat potential in central and south eastern Europe
by Frank Stier

The 18 countries participating in the Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity Initiative (CESEC) could use renewables to meet 34 % of their energy demand by 2030, with solar thermal installed in buildings being the cheapest replacement option for fossil fuel equipment. The 2030 solar heat potential of all CESEC countries combined is 93 GW_th, or 133.1 million m² of collector area.

“Balance your solar mandate between what the market is ready for and what you want to achieve”
by Bärbel Epp

In August 2000, the Spanish city Barcelona adopted solar building regulations that required a predefined share of solar-heated water for new and renovated buildings. In the last two decades, the obligation has been the main driver behind the municipality becoming a mature solar thermal market.

“Solar thermal cooling reduces the strain on the power grid”
by Bärbel Epp

IEA SHC Task 65, called Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions, aims to provide countries in Africa, Asia and the MENA region with specifications and know-how of solar thermal and PV air conditioning. It was thus an encouraging sign that more than 10 component producers and system integrators attended the task’s most recent meeting in September.

Hybrid solutions are key to decarbonising industry
by Bärbel Epp

A mid-November workshop organised by partners to the EU-funded INSHIP project explained how industrial solar heat options can become affordable when SHIP systems work in concert with other renewable technologies.