Posted: October 24, 2024

Brussels, 22 October 2024. The International Energy Agency today officially accepted the application of Solar Heat Europe as an official member (in the category of “Sponsors”) of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. IEA SHC is the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme coordinating all research related to Solar Heat technologies.

IEA SHC’s mission is “to bring the latest solar heating and cooling research and information to the forefront of the global energy transition”. With its participation, Solar Heat Europe becomes the first international industry association to join IEA SHC, alongside many experts from academia, research centers, industries and NGOs from all over the world. Today more than 55 countries are represented within the Programme. IEA SHC leads worldwide research on key topics, including Solar Energy in Buildings, Solar Heat for Industrial Processes, Efficient Solar District Heating Systems, Compact Energy Storage Materials, etc. It also raises awareness of the potential of solar heating and cooling with its Solar Academy and SHC Solar Award, and is a reputable source of information for global market data in the sector.

Lucio Mesquita, Chair of the IEA SHC, said: “We are very happy to have SHE joining our Programme. Solar Heat Europe and its members bring unique perspectives and invaluable experience to our work. This is an important step to make sure IEA SHC will continue to support a just energy transition through technologies that are not only cost-effective and sustainable but also locally manufactured.”

Valérie Séjourné, Solar Heat Europe Managing Director, commented: “ Solar Heat Europe has been partnering already for many years with IEA SHC, notably through its market data collection as well as through the work of experts in our membership actively engaged in various Tasks. With Europe being such a great leader and strong industrial actor, comprising hundreds of companies supplying solar heat worldwide, I am glad that Solar Heat Europe is officially joining the IEA SHC community today. This collaboration will also help link the valuable work of the experts and research community and the policy makers with whom our Association interacts on a daily basis, providing them further evidence on the contribution of solar heat to achieve the goals of climate neutrality.”