Grants for 600,000 renewable heating systems in England

In early August, the UK government announced a GBP 2 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 England can apply for vouchers.

The best way to renovate Europe’s building stock

One area that requires immediate action, according to the European 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 roadmap is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of 2020.

Support the European Solar Thermal Industry Pledge

Mid July, Solar Heat Europe launched a 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.

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 plans to set up an extrusion line for producing plastic absorbers.

Little support for PV-thermal despite high yields

PVT applications do not receive nearly as much support as solar thermal or PV systems do. Incentive schemes especially often do not include funding for PV-thermal components. In addition, special PVT grants are offered only in Germany but not in Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland or the UK.

Export champions from Greece offer good value for money

The Greek solar thermal industry tripled its collector area sold to customers abroad from 200,000 m² to 600,000 m² in only 10 years. Greek manufacturers took advantage of opportunities around the world while demand for their cost-competitive and reliable products also grew at home.

Region with high solar ambitions joins IEA SHC

One of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme’s new sponsors is SACREEE, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, set up by the Southern African Development Community. SADC represents a dynamically developing solar thermal region encompassing 16 countries with around 300 million population.

Webinar

The next IEA SHC Solar Academy webinar titled Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting will be offered two times in different time zones. Experts from Europe and America join on 24 September 2 PM GMT/UTC and experts from Australia take part on 25 September 6 AM GMT/UTC. The second group needs to register two times. Check out: https://www.ises.org/webinars/706

Solar heat to be part of IRENA Cost Report 2021

The Renewable Power Generation Costs Report from the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA created a great deal of interest, worldwide. To fill the gap on solar thermal, solrico supported by the international project Solar Payback has partnered with IRENA with the aim of adding cost data and analysis of solar thermal heat projects in next year´s cost report.