Consolar marks 25 years of efficient solar thermal solutions
by Bärbel Epp

On 20 September, German-based solar system supplier Consolar celebrated its 25^th anniversary in Frankfurt. The business’s founders, Ulrich Leibfried, Hans Stork and Andreas Siegemund, who are still running the company, also used the opportunity to present their PV-thermal panel called Solink, an efficient source of energy for heat pumps.

SWH performance label proposed in India
by Jaideep Malaviya

In mid-August, the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency hosted a debate with stakeholders to discuss its proposed Standards and Labelling (S&L) rules on solar water heaters. This sort of proposal is especially important in India, where the market is being flooded with imported, sub-standard vacuum tube systems. Initially, compliance with S&L rules will be voluntary, at least for a year. 

Solar planning experts meet in France
by Bärbel Epp

Between 22 and 24 October, the University of Savoie Mont Blanc, France, will be the venue for the first meeting about research platform Solar Neighborhood Planning. One of its aims is to develop solar planning strategies for new and existing neighbourhoods and offer summer schools to postgraduate students.

Global support for solar cooling in sunbelt regions
by Bärbel Epp

Transferring knowledge and solar cooling technology to sunbelt countries is a topic that fits under the roof of the Innovation Challenge No. 7 (IC#7), Affordable heating and cooling of buildings, set up by the global Mission Innovation initiative. A concept paper has been well received by those spearheading the IC#7 effort (UAE, UK and EC). The first preparation meeting is set to take place in Santiago, Chile, on 7 November, following the SHC 2019 conference.

The multiple ways to promote solar heat
by Marisol Oropeza

The first-ever Intersolar Mexico offered a platform to promote solar heat in more ways than one. A Solar Heat Workshop drew in over 40 industry professionals. In addition, a film crew from Germany produced a video on Mexico’s market for industrial solar heat. The video includes a visit to parabolic trough collector manufacturer Inventive Power and a dairy that is using the manufacturer’s technology.