International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme
The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Programme has over 35 years of international collaborative work in the field of research, development, demonstration (RD&D) and test methods for solar thermal energy and solar buildings. The results of this work are available for researchers, policy makers, industry, utility and business representatives, builders, architects and teachers
The IEA SHC Programme is a member-based Programme with 20 member countries and 5 member organizations. Its mission is “To enhance collective knowledge and application of solar heating and cooling through international collaboration to fulfill its vision of solar thermal energy meeting 50% of low temperature heating and cooling demand by 2050.”
Highlighted in the section below are some of our most recent publications:
A special start to EuroSun2026: IEA SHC expert meetings and anniversary celebration
It is well worth arriving in Freiburg, Germany, a day early for EuroSun2026! On Monday, 14 September, a series of expert meetings for different Tasks of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) will take place throughout the day, offering a unique opportunity to connect with experts from …
IEA SHC to celebrate 50th anniversary at EuroSun2026 in Freiburg
The International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Technology Collaboration Programme will mark 50 years of international collaboration with a special anniversary event during EuroSun2026. Taking place on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the University of Freiburg, Germany, the evening is titled Celebrating Five …
IEA SHC Solar Award 2026 – five projects and products shortlisted
The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Programme has unveiled the five finalists for the 2026 SHC Solar Award, recognizing outstanding innovations that are advancing solar heating and cooling technologies. This year’s award highlights solutions developed within the past five years that demonstrate sustainability, measurable market impact, and a technology …
Making thermosyphon systems future-proof: market insights and durability solutions
The global network of scientists within the IEA SHC Task 69 on Solar Hot Water for 2030 has been examining thermosiphon markets worldwide from July 2022 to March 2026. They analysed technical characteristics, innovations and typical sources of error and how to avoid them. The network has now published the …
IEA SHC Task 70 researchers define the future of daylight modelling
Creating high-performance lighting systems is important not only for saving energy but also for improving indoor comfort and occupant well-being. Complex fenestration systems can control daylight and solar radiation. This improves both visual comfort and indoor thermal conditions. Micro-prismatic materials are one option for optimizing fenestration systems towards low carbon …
EuroSun2026 opens registration: Secure your early-bird discount before 1 July
The initial programme for the EuroSun2026 conference in Freiburg this September has been finalised. The International Conference on Sustainable and Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry will take place from 14 to 18 September in Southern Germany. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme that will keep them busy …
IEA SHC Task 73 tackles the challenge of testing transpired air collectors
PVT collectors that use air as the working fluid are being evaluated within IEA SHC Task 73 entitled PVT Heating Systems. They can preheat ventilation air in buildings while producing electricity, as demonstrated by the installation at John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal, shown in the …
Namibia study comparing thermosiphon and PV-to-heat systems sparks interest at ISEC 2026
ISEC 2026 in Graz, Austria, became a major international meeting point for the energy transition. Around 550 experts from 42 countries gathered to discuss technological developments, global research cooperation, regulatory frameworks and renewable energy projects. The conference was organized for the fourth time by the Austrian research institute AEE INTEC …
Webinar to introduce Eurosun2026 and SolarPaces 2026 cooperation
The international solar thermal community will gather in Freiburg, Germany, from 14 to 18 September 2026 for EuroSun2026, one of the sector’s leading scientific conferences. At the same time, Germany will also host SolarPACES 2026, creating a unique opportunity for closer collaboration between the global communities focusing on solar heat, …
Main takeaways from IEA SHC Task 71: Towards unified metrics of LCA and LCoH for heating technologies
Karl-Anders Weiß has spent the past three years intensively working on the life cycle and cost assessment of alternative heating technologies. The researcher from the German institute Fraunhofer ISE has led Task 71 of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme on this very topic, which has now concluded after …
Momentum builds for solar thermal in Poland: Major plant, new tenders and EU Project LIGHT
The beginning of the year has brought a series of important developments for Poland’s solar thermal sector. Construction has started on the country’s largest solar district heating plant – an 12.3 MW installation in Gliwice in southern Poland (see photo) – with more calls for tenders for similar projects expected …
“We need tailed concentrating optics to boost the hydrogen production without cooking the reactor”
One of the strengths of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme is its ability to bring together scientists working on similar topics from across continents to exchange ideas. This was once again successfully demonstrated within Task 72 on Solar Photoreactors for the Production of Fuels and Chemicals. Prof. Craig …
