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:

European Energy Label: A+++ for Solar Packages in 2015

European Energy Label: A+++ for Solar Packages in 2015

On 6 September 2013, the official journal of the European Commission published the regulations for the eco-design and energy labelling of water, space and combi heaters under the Ecodesign Directive (2005/32/EC). The documents were also translated into all EU-member states’ languages. Until now, this has been the latest official step …
Germany: Task 39 Showcases Solar Collectors Made of Polymers

Germany: Task 39 Showcases Solar Collectors Made of Polymers

An exhibition taking place as part of the International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) 2013 between 23 and 25 September 2013 unveiled how solar collectors manufactured from plastic materials may look like in the future. Under the motto Efficiency and Design, the exhibits provided an insight into research …
Germany: Time to Upload Abstracts for SHC 2013 Conference

Germany: Time to Upload Abstracts for SHC 2013 Conference

After the successful launch of the SHC 2012 in San Francisco, the SHC 2013 will be the second event in this new series of annual scientific conferences on solar heating and cooling. The SHC 2013, the International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry, is going to …
USA: Second Workshop for Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

USA: Second Workshop for Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

The 2nd Workshop for Solar Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration, taking place in Las Vegas on 2 February, will bring together top experts from Europe and North America – among them Christian Holter, SOLID (Austria), Steve Hunter, Vanir Energy (California/US), Daniel Mugnier, TECSOL (France), and Tom Lopp, Power Partners, Athens (Georgia/US) …
Jan Erik Nielsen von Plan Energi”

Task 43: Worldwide Harmonisation of Solar Rating and Certification Procedures

The international harmonisation of norms is advancing: On behalf of operating agent Jan Erik Nielsen from Plan Energi, experts are working on the alignment of EN and ISO norms under Task 43 of the Solar Heating & Cooling Programme managed by the International Energy Agency. Photo: ITW …
IEA-SHC 43: On the Way to Harmonize Testing and Certification

IEA-SHC 43: On the Way to Harmonize Testing and Certification

At the request of the US Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC), the International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) formed Task 43, the “Solar Rating and Certification Procedure”. Photo: IEA SHC …