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:
Ian Nelson : Large solar heat plants are cost-effective in the mining sector in Chile
Since 2013 Energia Llaima owns and operates the worldwide largest solar heat plant in a mine which is situated in the middle of the desert in the north of Chile. Ian Nelson explains his business model, the economy of scale and the daily challenges with cleaning the collector panels. Nelson …
John O. Donnell: Economy of scale for solar industrial heat
Economy of scale allows the US-based company GlassPoint to offer solar heat which is below the cost of natural gas. In the interview at SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile John O. Donnell announced that the first 300 MW of solar steam production in Oman are online. Once completed …
Prof Julio Normey Rico: Concentrating solar technologies for Brazil
Improving the operation of concentrating solar thermal collectors is one of the focus points of a research group at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. In the interview on SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile, Prof Julio Normey Rico describes the first demonstration plant …
Alexandra Troi: Exposition highlights successful modernisation of historic buildings
Historic buildings shape the cities in Europe. To keep them comfortable and affordable, they need to be modernised. In an interview on the SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile Alexandra Troi presents an exhibition of 12 rollups with successful examples of retrofitted historic buildings. The touring exhibtion can be …
Sabine Putz: Solar Heat for Cities
Europe follows the role model of Denmark were already more than 120 towns, villages and cities use solar district heating. Adapted seasonal heat storage concepts are the big challenge of the future, says Sabine Putz in an Interview at SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile. Sabine Putz heads the …
Prof. Rodrigo Palma: Chile has big opportunities for solar energy
olar Energy in Mining is one of the focus research areas in Chile. Circular economy within the mining sector to recover materials and energy is one of the challenges of the future, said Prof. Rodrigo Palma in the interview carried out at the SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile …
Duncan Gibb: Highlights of the Renewables 2019 Global Status Report
The Renewables 2019 Global Status Report exposes the different speed of renewable energy development. Whereas a record 100 GW photovoltaic capacity was added in 2018, progress in heating cooling and transport is slow due to a lack of policy support. Duncan Gibb describes the encouraging as well as the alarming …
Dr Uli Jakob: Solar cooling reduces electricity consumption by a factor 2 to 3
Global energy consumption for cooling and air conditioning is increasing rapidly and, if the projections by the Green Cooling Initiative come true, the number of AC units installed around the world will have more than tripled by 2050. Solar cooling is an electricity-saving alternative to the conventional air conditioning technologies …
Wim van Helden: Encouraging faster materials development for compact storage
Compact storage tanks with high heat storage capacity and reduced losses are one of the key component in the energy transition towards renewables. In the interview with Wim van Helden on the SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile, the researcher calls for increased research budgets for energy storage materials …
Dr Korbinian Kramer: PV-Thermal elements allow more energy output from the same roof
The first tested and certified PV-Thermal elements are available on the market. Korbinian Kramer explains the advantages and disadvantages of this technology. The interview was carried out at the SHC 2019 conference in Santiago at the beginning of November. Dr Korbinian Kramer is chair at the test lab of Fraunhofer …
SHC 2019: 15 Expert Interviews highlight technology and market trends on Tape
At the beginning of November, the SHC 2019 conference in Santiago de Chile brought together more than 400 researchers, industry specialists and other experts on solar heating and cooling. With 15 video interviews filmed at the conference, the conference organiser, the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC), highlighted …
Solar Heat for Cities – brochure and infographics
Why is solar heat such a smart way to create sustainable communities? It improves energy security, keeps heat costs stable for at least 20 years and cuts air pollution in towns and cities. To encourage more mayors, local council members and municipal utilities to look into this cost-effective solution, researchers …
