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:
Eurosun 2022: Engaging keynotes by a unique mix of policy and research experts
From 25 to 29 September, Kassel, Germany, will be the venue for the Eurosun 2022 conference. The event will offer a packed programme of keynote speeches, lectures and workshops on a variety of green energy transition issues related to buildings and industry. On 29 September, attendees can then take part …
Insights into global PVT market development
The demand for PVT collectors has grown rapidly in the last two years. Annual sales of PVT area increased 57 % to 167,165 m2 in 2021, after growth of 20 % in 2020. The largest markets for new PVT additions in 2021 were France, the Netherlands, Israel, Germany and Spain …
Nominated projects for Solar Award described in Solar Update Newsletter
The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme has nominated four outstanding projects from Australia, France, Namibia and South Africa for the Solar Award 2022. The nominated projects aimed at reducing energy use and costs in social housing. The winner will be announced during the Eurosun 2022 conference in Kassel, Germany, …
Solar Heat Worldwide: launch of IEA SHC flagship publication
The global solar thermal market saw 3 % growth in 2021 after seven years of decline. Noteworthy development was reported from some of the largest solar heat markets such as Brazíl, United States, Greece and Italy. Solar thermal capacity in operation reached 522 GWth, providing green heat to 109 million …
Solar Award recognises outstanding solar building concepts
On 16 June in Wuppertal, Germany, two very convincing and transferable solar integration concepts realised in Solar Decathlon Europe buildings received the Solar Award. The first solar prize went to the team VIRTUe of the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands (see photo) and the second solar prize was …
16 living spaces for a better world
Solar Decathlon – the world’s largest construction competition for universities – will open for visitors in mid-June in Wuppertal, Germany. More than 1,200 students have worked over three years to prepare the exhibition, which will include 16 full-scale (1:1) flagship buildings for sustainable urban living. Two additional teams from Thailand …
IEA SHC initiative to increase quality and market volumes of smart solar hot water systems
Providing reliable and long-lasting solar-driven hot water solutions for households – this is the main objective of the planned research platform called Solar hot water for 2030 within the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. During the last 12 months experts from all around the world have discussed the key …
Ammonia recovery to serve as fertilizer and energy fuel
Production of ammonia as a fertilizer is a huge global industry with an enormous energy demand. The Austrian institute AEE INTEC has successfully operated a membrane distillation (MD) pilot plant 24/7 at a municipal waste water treatment plant (see photo). It has the potential to gain ammonia with a lot …
Testing of improved thermochemical storage in a real environment
The session Emerging Heat and Cold Storages during the ISEC conference in April in Austria was a deep dive into thermochemical heat storage. Two speakers from the German research project Heat2Share presented technical improvements at the material, component and system levels of a thermochemical storage unit used in district heating …
Certification and labelling: Experts answer questions from the industry
Third-party quality control is key for consumers. Labelling of products supports customers in taking the right decisions. For solar collectors in Europe, Solergy is such a quality label. It shows how much collectors can contribute to a CO2-free heat supply in different locations and at different temperature levels. In close …
How to get renewable energy to buildings in dense urban areas
On 23 March 2022, the first industry workshop organised by IEA SHC Task 66 – Solar Energy Buildings showcased solar building ideas from different corners of the globe, including the first mandatory solar building regulations in China and Mexico’s rules on energy efficiency and solar energy in the construction sector …
Guidelines for wastewater treatment technologies in preparation
Operating a wastewater treatment plant is a complex task in itself. If you start thinking about using solar energy to drive certain separation or disinfection processes, the task becomes even more challenging (as the graphic above shows). Water treatment plant operators who want to harness more solar energy would benefit …
