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General Programme Publications

Country Highlight: Portugal - Sun & Innovation Drive Change
December 2018 - PDF 1.44MB
By: Maria João Carvalho, João Farinha Mendes
Publisher: IEA SHC

Portugal has one of the highest solar energy resources in Europe, but the solar thermal market in Portugal is not in line with this fact as can be seen in the most recent publication of the IEA SHC’s Solar Heat Worldwide (see Figure 2). Portugal’s cumulated installed capacity is lower than in other European countries with much lower solar resources.

Interview with Daniel Mugnier: New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems
December 2018 - PDF 1.06MB
Publisher: IEA SHC Task 53

The IEA SHC Programme concluded its work on New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems (Task 53) earlier this year and is now finalizing the last reports. To learn first-hand on how the Task supported the market development of the next generation of solar driven cooling and heating systems, we asked Daniel Mugnier, the Task Operating Agent, to share some of his thoughts on this 3-year project.

Heat Decarbonization - What Role can Solar Thermal Play?
December 2017 - PDF 0.09MB
Heat accounts for more than half of global final energy consumption. However, heat production remains heavily fossil-fuel based and is a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, accounting for 39% of total annual energy-related emissions globally. To achieve the ambitious targets of the Paris climate change agreement, heat decarbonization is a must. But what role can solar thermal play?

Canadian Solar Community Hits 100% Solar Heating
December 2016 - PDF 0.3MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
The Drake Landing Solar Community in Okotoks, Alberta hit a new solar performance milestone record – 100% solar space heating for the 2015-2016 heating season. This is the first community in the world to accomplish this feat. The community of 52 energy efficient homes is heated by a solar district heating system combined with a borehole seasonal heat storage designed to store abundant solar energy underground during the sunny summer months and recover this heat for space heating during the cold winter months.

Slovakia Joins IEA SHC!
December 2016 - PDF 0.06MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme welcomes Slovakia as the first country from Eastern Europe to join the Programme. Participation by the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA) in the IEA SHC builds on collaboration by Slovakia in the Programme’s lighting retrofit work.

Solar Thermal in Qatar Today and Tomorrow
December 2016 - PDF 0.24MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
In recent years, the population of Qatar has grown at an increased rate than was previously seen and so has carbon emissions. As the population has grown at a faster rate than previously seen and demand for resources that will result in further increases in the rate of carbon emissions. Considering the wider impacts of carbon emissions on our climate, it is vital to reduce these emissions using effective renewable solutions.

IEA SHC Publishes 2016 Edition of its Seminal Report – Solar Heat Worldwide
June 2016 - PDF 0.17MB
By: Pam Murphy
June 2016. The International Energy Agency, Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) released the 2016 edition of its report on the global status of the solar thermal heating and cooling market. As the 2014 solar thermal market felt the impact of slowing markets in China and Europe, the largest world markets, growth was seen in two important areas – large-scale solar thermal systems and solar heat in industrial processes. And, solar heating and cooling still remains by far the solar technology with the largest total capacity (435 GWth) compared to PV (227 GWth) and solar thermal power (5 GWth).

IEA SHC Solar Award – Brau Union Austria wins for putting the sun in beer
June 2016 - PDF 0.21MB
The Green Brewery Göss wins the International Energy Agency Solar Heating Programme (IEA SHC) SHC SOLAR AWARD. Brewery Göss has taken the path-breaking decision to use renewable energy for all its processes and now runs a 100% renewable energy production process. The Master Brewer, Mr. Andreas Werner, received the award on behalf of the brewery at Gleisdorf SOLAR 2016 in Gleisdorf, Austria.

2016 Solar Thermal Trends
May 2016 - PDF 0.18MB
By: Pam Murphy
With 2016 underway, it’s important to stop for a moment and think about where solar thermal is headed in the short-term and how current work can support or be adjusted to keep pace with technological advances. Several SHC Task Operating Agents have weighed in on trends in their areas of expertise.

International Solar Energy Society Joins IEA SHC
May 2016 - PDF 0.13MB
By: Pam Murphy
The IEA SHC Programme welcomes the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) as its newest Sponsor member. This development offers expanded opportunities for ISES members to participate in technical activities under the IEA SHC, and places ISES at the IEA SHC table as a member of its Executive Committee.

ISES Joins IEA SHC!
May 2016 - PDF 0.52MB
By: Pam Murphy
The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme welcomes the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) as its newest Sponsor member. This development offers expanded opportunities for ISES members to participate in technical activities under the IEA SHC, and places ISES at the IEA SHC table as a member of its Executive Committee.

A Fundamental Look At Supply Side Energy Reserves For The Planet
November 2015 - PDF 0.15MB
By: Richard Perez, Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, University at Albany, Statue University of New York and Marc Perez, MGH-Energy
Publisher: IEA SHC
This is an update of the April 2009 Solar Update article. The objective of the 2009 article was to put in perspective the potential of often-cited nuclear and renewable alternatives to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emitting fossil energy sources. Its main conclusion was that although a mix of alternatives, including hydropower, biomass/biofuels, geothermal, ocean thermal energy conversion, waves, tides, wind and solar, appeared like a sound approach to bringing about the desired economically and environmentally sustainable energy future (akin to putting future energy eggs in different baskets), a review of their potential clearly showed that the solar resource dwarfed all other renewables (and fossil/nuclear alike) by orders of magnitude. And therefore, the desired economically and environmentally sustainable energy mix of the future should be essentially solar-based.

Country Highlight: Spain - A Sunny Paradise Truncated by a Financial Crisis: The Building Code Experience
November 2015 - PDF 0.24MB
By: Ricardo Enríquez Miranda, Ph.D., CIEMAT
Publisher: IEA SHC
In the recent past decades, Spain has pioneered two solar revolutions: mandatory inclusion of solar thermal in new and refurbished buildings and solar thermal electricity. The 2008 financial crisis deeply impact the industry and the future recovery and development will depend strongly on these and other adopted policies.

Solar Thermal = Savings of Over 118 Million Tons of CO2 Annually
Solar Heat Worldwide
November 2015 - PDF 0.15MB
Publisher: IEA SHC
The IEA SHC Programme’s Solar Heat Worldwide is the most comprehensive publication on the global solar heating and cooling market. This year’s report includes data from 60 countries, or 95% of the solar thermal market and can be downloaded for free.

Country Highlight: Netherlands High Energy in a Low Country
May 2015 - PDF 0.16MB
By: Lex Bosselaar
Within the next 20 years the supply of fossil fuels, mainly oil and gas, will not be sufficient to provide for the world’s economies. Anticipating this shortage, the Dutch government policy focuses on a completely sustainable energy supply system by 2050. Renewable heat and heat storage will be key issues to achieve this goal.

Turkey: Solar Era Is Just Beginning
May 2015 - PDF 0.55MB
By: Dr. Bulent Yesilata
In parallel with its population and GDP growth, Turkey has been experiencing rapid demand growth in all segments of the energy sector for decades. Turkey is developing an integrated energy policy aimed at securing a reliable supply of energy, as well as achieving a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable future. Turkey also intends to promote employment and economic growth through its energy development. Solar energy plays a major role in Turkey’s renewable energy roadmap due to the fact that is geographically located the “solar band” region.

Net-Zero Energy Buildings – New Addition to SHC Book Series
April 2015 - PDF 0.14MB
By: Pamela Murphy
New addition to SHC book series published by Wiley. This book aids designers in optimally using simulation tools for net-zero energy building design. It presents advanced modeling techniques as well as in-depth case studies. The IEA SHC Programme is publishing a book series covering a diverse array of solar heating and cooling topics. Modeling, Design, and Optimatization of Net-Zero Energy Buildings is the second book in this series.

New ISO Partnership Promotes Solar Energy Standards
April 2015 - PDF 0.14MB
By: Pamela Murphy
The International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) has formalized relationship with ISO TC 180 Solar Energy. This liaison creates a clear path for IEA SHC results to be implemented in ISO standards. “Measuring the solar resources available for solar applications is an important goal of this partnership,” says Ms. Erandi Chandrasekare, Secretary of ISO TC180 “As well as improving the performance of solar heating and cooling systems by standardizing the measurements of performance, reliability and durability.”

Turkey & UK join the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme
February 2015 - PDF 0.16MB
GÜNDER, the Turkish Section of the International Solar Energy Society, on behalf of the Government of Turkey, and DECC, the UK’s Department of Energy & Climate Change, on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom, officially joined the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC).

Global Standards - Solar Heating and Cooling ISO TC180 Solar Energy
Presentation at SHC 2014
October 2014 - PDF 0.95MB
By: Ken Guthrie
Presentation at SHC 2014

SHC Overview at SHC 2014 in Beijing
October 2014 - PDF 0.51MB
By: Ken Guthrie
Presentation at SHC 2014

Country Status Reports Summary
November 2013 - PDF 0.06MB
By: Uwe Trenkner
This report of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) summarises the findings of the country status reports published on www.iea-shc.org/country-status-reports.

Technology Roadmap: Solar Heating and Cooling
July 2012 - PDF 3.32MB
Publisher: IEA
Solar heating and cooling (SHC) can provide low-carbon emission energy from solar resources that are widespread throughout the world. SHC describes a wide range of technologies, from mature domestic hot water heaters to those just entering the demonstration phase, such as solar thermally driven cooling. This roadmap envisages development and deployment of solar heating and cooling by 2050 to produce 16.5 EJ (4 583 TWhth; 394 Mtoe) solar heating annually, more than 16% of total final energy use for low temperature heat, and 1.5 EJ solar cooling, nearly 17% of total energy use for cooling by that time.

The Potential of Solar Thermal Technologies in a Sustainable Energy Future
Results from 32 Years of International R&D Cooperation
February 2010 - PDF 3.94MB
By: Gerhard Faninger
By collaborating with others, the IEA SHC Programme is working to increase awareness of solar thermal energy‘s potential to contribute significantly to the future supply of energy worldwide. This report supports the awareness to create a Future Sustainable Energy System, based on R&D results from more than 30 years of international co-operation in the IEA Solar Heating Programme.

Highlights of 2007
2008 - PDF 3.03MB
This report highlights the recent accomplishments of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme.

The Time for Solar is Now
IEA-SHC Brochure
2007 - PDF 0.37MB
This document is a full color brochure about the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme

Solar Energy Activities in IEA Countries 2005
2006 - PDF 1.11MB
Learn what your country and others are doing in the area of solar from the status of government policies, funding levels, R&D, technology advances, and commercial development. This latest edition begins with an overview of national activities and key trends followed by individual country reports with detailed information on national solar activities.

Solar Energy Activities in IEA Countries 2002
December 2002
Editor: Pamela Murphy, Executive Secretary, IEA SHC
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The eighth edition of this SHC document reports on the latest status of solar building technologies, funding levels, research, technology advances and commercial developments in 14 IEA countries.

Solar Thermal Collector Market In IEA Member Countries 1999-2000
December 2002 - PDF 0.91MB
By: Werner Weiss and Gerhard Faninger
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This report analyzes solar thermal collector data compiled by the SHC Programme.

The Power of Solar: Integrating Solar Energy Into Today's Buildings
2002 - PDF 0.13MB
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Formed in 1974 as an autonomous body within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the International Energy Agency (IEA) carries out a program of energy cooperation, including joint research and development of new and improved energy technologies.

Application Guide for Daylight Responsive Control Systems
February 2001 - PDF 0.33MB

25th Anniversary of The Establishment of The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Agreement
2001 - PDF 0.9MB
The power point presentation was prepared on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Agreement.

Chairman's Report: Highlights of 2000
January 2000 - DOC 0.05MB
By: Mr. Lex Bosselaar, Executive Committee Chairman

Solar Energy Activities in IEA Countries 1999
November 1999
Editor: S. Blum, International Planning Associates, Inc.
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This updated edition outlines the national solar building technology activities in the member countries of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme since 1997. The country reports provide insights into the status of government policies, funding levels, research emphasis, technology advances, and commercial development.

Customer satisfaction: A focus for research & practice
September 1999 - PDF 0.13MB
By: Hans Westling Promandat AB
Report for the CIB 99 Joint Triennial Symposium, Stockholm, Sweden

Solar Energy Activities in IEA Countries 1993
November 1993 - PDF 0.49MB
Editor: S. Blum, International Planning Associates, Inc.
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This brochure provides a glimpse of some of the activities and This report outlines the national solar building technology activities in the member countries of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. The country reports provide insights into the status of government policies, funding levels, research emphasis, technology advances, and commercial development.

Working Together for a Solar Future
July 1991
Editor: S. Blum, International Planning Associates, Inc.
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This brochure provides a glimpse of some of the activities and accomplishments of the long-term international collaboration of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme to create the solar buildings of the future.

Interview with Jan Erik Nielsen: Solar Standards and Certification
PDF 0.2MB
Publisher: IEA SHC Task 57

The IEA SHC Programme will wrap up its work on Solar Standards and Certification (Task 57) this month. To learn first-hand of this Task’s impact on standards and certification of solar thermal systems, we asked Jan Erik Nielsen, the Task Operating Agent, to share some of his thoughts on this 3-year project.

Solar Collectors and their Fields of Application
Publisher: http://www.zreu.de/