TASK 57: Solar Standards and Certification

The scope of the task is test procedures, standardization and certification at international level of solar thermal systems and components.

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IEA-SHC Solar Heating & Cooling Programme International Energy Agency

IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme

The Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) was established in 1977, one of the first programmes of the International Energy Agency, to promote the use of all aspects of solar thermal energy. The Programme's work is unique in that it is accomplished through the international collaborative effort of experts from member countries and the European Union.

The benefits of this approach are:

  • accelerates the pace of technology development
  • promotes standardization
  • enhances national R&D programmes
  • permits national specialization
  • saves time and money

Collaborating Organizations

What's New
  • Combining the strengths of collector technologies - Task 55 of the IEA SHC Programme is currently studying the benefits of systems equipped with both flat plate and parabolic trough collectors to supply thermal energy to district heating networks. Preliminary results from a project in Taars, Denmark, have been encouraging, indicating how their combined strength can be an asset across a wide range of solar district heating applications. (Posted: 2018-07-16)
  • Solar district heating potential of small towns in Europe - Most small European towns connected to a district heating network have enough land available for a solar field to meet 20 % of heat demand. In all, 93 % of the identified solar heat potential can be produced at a price of less than 50 EUR/MWh. These are the key findings from a study by PlanEnergi, a Danish consultancy. Its authors analysed maps showing 2,480 district heating networks in 22 countries that have no means of using waste heat for the task. (Posted: 2018-07-12)
  • Water-Energy Nexus in Industrial Sector - Water and energy are the most important resources globally. The term ‘water-energy nexus’ was coined to underline their close connection, and the phrase has become increasingly popular with international environmental organisations. (Posted: 2018-07-09)
  • Daniel Mugnier Is New IEA SHC Chairman - The new chair of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme, also known as IEA SHC, will be Daniel Mugnier, a leading expert in solar cooling. Mugnier, who heads the R&D department at French-based Tecsol, was elected during an executive committee meeting in Stockholm on 21 June and will hold the position for two years. (Posted: 2018-06-29)
  • PVT increasingly used for net zero energy buildings - A rising number of manufacturers and suppliers in Europe are offering combined photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, also known as PVT units. This was one of the main messages of the International Workshop on the Status of PVT Systems, organised by Fraunhofer ISE on 16 May 2018 in Freiburg. (Posted: 2018-06-06)
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Solar Heat Worldwide
Solar Heat Worldwide
Solar Heat Worldwide 2017

The cumulated solar thermal capacity in operation by end of 2017 was 472 GWth (675 million square meters). Compared to the year 2000 the installed capacity grew by the factor 7.6.  -- Read More

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Publication Highlight
Solar Update
Solar Update

The July 2018 edition of the IEA SHC Newsletter, Solar Update is now available. The Newsletter contains information on Solar Heat Worldwide 2018, Solar and Urban Planning, Solar Heat and Electricity, SHC Solar Academy, New Testing Standards, Trending in 2018, Country Highlight: Sweden, New SHC Publications, New Projects, SHC Members,and more. -- Read More

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