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Italy: Round-table on Ways Out of Crisis
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Dear Solarthermalworld.org Reader, Recently
we have noticed a growing number of studies being published one after
the other: two roadmaps (EIA and Germany), as well as three market
reports on the solar heating and cooling sector (ESTIF, REN and
EurObserver) have been published over the last weeks – all painting a
similar picture. The publications confirm the current weak demand on the
major European solar thermal markets, but predict a large potential for
solar heating and cooling technology in the long run. This potential,
however, could only be tapped through reliable and long-term framework
conditions. The papers' results are not without consequences: in
Italy, the associations are having detailed discussions with the
ministries about which paths to choose to get out of the current crisis.
The German Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) is preparing a
significant increase in subsidies for industrial applications, which
would come into effect on 15th of August (details will
follow). And the French Energy Agency ADEME commissioned a study to
analyse the competitiveness of solar thermal technology. Sunny regards, The editorial team
Read more»
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Germany: BSW Solar Presents Solar Heat Roadmap - Finally
by Eva Augsten
With
half a year delay, the German solar industry association BSW Solar
officially presented its Roadmap for Solar Heat at the Intersolar Europe
in June 2012. The roadmap describes scenarios to develop solar thermal
in Germany and shows the policies needed to implement them. While the
roadmap’s outlook is being criticised for being too optimistic, one
of the authors, Matthias Reitzenstein, emphasises that the paper is not
meant to be a prediction of what will happen but rather a guide about
what needs to be done.
Read more»
Arab Countries /Germany: Kick-off Meeting for ARSOL Certification Programme
by Bärbel Epp
A
new strategy to promote solar thermal technology in the Arab region is
bearing fruit: hosted by the German Institute for Solar and Heating
Technology, SWT, the kick-off meeting of the Solar Water Heaters
Certification Programme, ARSOL, took place in the south of Germany at
the beginning of June. The initial strategy is to create an ARSOL
network based on a certification programme similar to the Solar Keymark
in Europe or the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) in
the US.
Read more»
Global Roadmap: IEA Calls on Stakeholders to Realise Vision
by Bärbel Epp
The
International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Technology Roadmap Solar Heating
and Cooling sees a huge untapped potential when it comes to replacing
fossil fuels and electricity. The Roadmap targets a 20% share in
low-temperature industrial heat (3,200 GWth) and 16% in overall low-temperature heat by 2050 (3,500 GWth).
All stakeholders were called on by the IEA to work towards realising
this aim. The 44-page study was first presented at the International
Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry, SHC
2012, in San Francisco, USA, in July 2012.
Read more»
Russia: High-Quality Façade Systems in Siberia
by Vladislava Adamenkova
2011
was a very successful year for the Russian solar thermal manufacturer
CEFT. The company, which is located in the autonomous Siberian Republic
of Buryatia, has set up one of its largest installations so far for a
local grammar school with 720 students. The solar hot water system cost
the republic EUR 122,207. It includes two collector fields: one with 56 m2 integrated into the façade of block 1 and another 168 m2 mounted on the roof of block 4 in four rows. This puts the specific costs of the system at 545 EUR/m2.
Read more»
India: SMS Promotion Boosts Helpline Traffic
by Jaideep Malaviya
India
has one of the largest mobile phone databases worldwide. This and the
high market penetration (84%) prompted the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy (MNRE) to initiate a pilot project for an SMS-based solar
thermal awareness campaign. Between January and April 2012, text
messages pointing to the toll-free hotline for solar water heaters were
sent to half a million prospective buyers of solar hot water systems,
such as architects, car owners, doctors and real estate agencies. This
campaign has increased helpline traffic significantly from a basic
monthly rate of 1,000 to 5,500 calls in March, around 8,000 in April and
11,000 in May.
Read more»
Italy: 55 % Tax Deductions until 30 June 2013
by Valeria Verga
The
latest amendments to Italy’s tax deduction policies resulted in good -
and bad - news. According to the “Decree on Growth”, which became
effective on 25 July 2012, the 55 % tax deductions will stay unchanged
for another six months, until 30 June 2013. Originally, the tax
reductions were to expire on 31 December 2012, with the Decree on Growth
draft reducing the percentage to 50 %. So far, so good! But, Italy’s
solar thermal industry association Assolterm also had some other
requests – which were not met. Read more
Italy: 55 % Tax Deductions until 30 June 2013
by Valeria Verga
The
latest amendments to Italy’s tax deduction policies resulted in good -
and bad - news. According to the “Decree on Growth”, which became
effective on 25 July 2012, the 55 % tax deductions will stay unchanged
for another six months, until 30 June 2013. Originally, the tax
reductions were to expire on 31 December 2012, with the Decree on Growth
draft reducing the percentage to 50 %. So far, so good! But, Italy’s
solar thermal industry association Assolterm also had some other
requests – which were not met. Read more
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