Based in Brussels, the International Copper Association (ICA) Europe is the leading advocate for the copper industry in Europe. As ICA’s European branch, the organisation represents companies that mine, smelt and recycle copper for use across the economy, in the electricity system, buildings, transport and industry. Through a team of policy, industry and scientific experts, ICA Europe promotes copper as an essential material for achieving the EU’s ambition of a resilient, climate-neutral Europe and seeks to ensure that EU policies enable the sustainable production of copper to serve Europe’s future needs.

Solarthermalworld.org was initiated by ICA Europe in 2008 with the aim of providing stakeholders from research, public and private sector all around the globe with first-class information about solar heating and cooling to stimulate market growth. The ICA Europe has supported the hosting of the website until 2021 as well as the content gathering continuously since 2008.

Please see below our most recent articles:

“Project sponsors need to offer banks sufficient securities and guarantees”

“Project sponsors need to offer banks sufficient securities and guarantees”

French-based NewHeat has just announced that it secured a EUR 13 million bank loan for a pool of five large commercial solar heat systems. The company, founded in December 2015, regards itself as an “independent and integrated solar heat producer.” As an energy service company (ESCO), it offers solar heat …
NewHeat secures EUR 13 million loan to finance 5 solar heat plants

NewHeat secures EUR 13 million loan to finance 5 solar heat plants

French project developer NewHeat has successfully closed a EUR 13 million finance deal with Triodos Bank, Germany, and Crédit Coopératif, France, to cover the costs of putting up five solar heat plants with a total capacity of 28 MWth. The project pool comprises the industrial solar heat plant started up …
Join 190+ pledge supporters by Friday

Join 190+ pledge supporters by Friday

Since mid-July, more than 190 organisations across Europe have shown their support for Solar Heat Europe’s #SolariseHeat initiative by signing the European Solar Thermal Industry Pledge, promising to deliver a green recovery. The association has now launched a second call for signatures, offering both public and private entities to put …
German solar thermal business index hits 10-year high

German solar thermal business index hits 10-year high

The German government’s decision to extend funding opportunities for clean heating projects this January has led to rising demand for solar thermal systems. During the first seven months of 2020, businesses sold 14 % more flat plate and vacuum tube collectors than in the same period last year, according to …
Slovenia: Falling sales despite funding increase

Slovenia: Falling sales despite funding increase

In February, Slovenia adopted its Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, intending to make buildings across the country carbon neutral by 2050. As a next step, the southeast European country is planning to cut energy consumption by 35 % by 2030 and, at the same time, raise the share of …
Grants for 600,000 renewable heating systems in England

Grants for 600,000 renewable heating systems in England

In early August, the UK government announced a GBP 2 billion (USD 2.61 billion) Green Homes Grant scheme that will fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements, including solar thermal systems, heat pumps and insulation, for over 600,000 residential buildings. From the end of September, households in …
The best way to renovate Europe’s building stock

The best way to renovate Europe’s building stock

One area that requires immediate action, according to the European Commission’s Green Deal, is the renovation of the continent’s building stock. After all, the EU’s aim is to become climate neutral by 2050. Consequently, the commission has started public consultation on a new Renovation Wave initiative, for which a draft …
Support the European Solar Thermal Industry Pledge

Support the European Solar Thermal Industry Pledge

Today, Brussels-based Solar Heat Europe launched a brand-new initiative called The Solar Thermal Industry Pledge – Delivering a Green Recovery. The aim is to see as many organisations as possible join forces to advance the solar heating and cooling market. “We want to demonstrate that the European solar thermal industry …
Norwegian investor sees huge potential for building-integrated solar solutions

Norwegian investor sees huge potential for building-integrated solar solutions

Inaventa Solar, a new start-up business based in Norway, specialises in manufacturing and designing building-integrated solar thermal systems. Founded in the last three months of 2019, the company has already started up an assembly line to make flat plate collectors at its factory in Kvelsrud Gård near Oslo (see photo) …
GGF funds 1,400 solar thermal systems in 10 years

GGF funds 1,400 solar thermal systems in 10 years

The Luxembourg-based Green for Growth Fund (GGF) has recently entered its 11th year in operation. A pioneering public-private partnership, it was launched by the European Investment Bank and the German KfW bank in December 2009 and supports energy efficiency and renewable energy projects primarily in southeast Europe. Since its founding, …
Solar requirement dropped from building regulations in Spain

Solar requirement dropped from building regulations in Spain

During the last 8 years, the Spanish market for solar water heating was fairly stable, with capacity additions ranging between 200,000 and 250,000 m2 annually (see chart). In 2019, the total was 207,000 m2 (145 WMth), 1 % above the prior year. Much of the growth was the result of Spain’s …
Webinar: Strategies in the digital world

Webinar: Strategies in the digital world

Social media channels gained further importance over the last years. Politicians all around the world are tweeting to get their messages out. Lobbyists are networking via digital media, LinkedIn groups are discussing new trends in research and technology, Facebook is replacing company websites etc. You need to find your own …