New Twist on Solar Academy Webinars
July 2024 - PDF 0.19MB
By: Robin Wiltshire

The March IEA SHC Solar Academy webinar was a little different from the usual webinars. This webinar tackled a solar heat topic – solar thermal district heating – BUT focused on a specific audience, UK policymakers, and showed how deployment successes in Austria and Germany could be replicated in the UK.

New Twist on Solar Academy Webinars

Poland Joins SHC Programme
July 2024 - PDF 0.12MB
By: Pamela Murphy

The road to membership was a bit long and winding. However, with the perseverance of the new SHC Polish Executive Committee member, Justyna Martyniuk-Peczek of the Gdansk University of Technology will now represent Poland. As noted by Professor Martyniuk-Peczek, the Polish government’s interest grew through grassroots initiatives, with people expressing their desire to participate in IEA programmes. For her, it all began in 2019 with her initial contacts with the Ministry of Energy. Over the years, the ministries were restructured and reorganized with international cooperation activities eventually finding their home in the Ministry of Climate and Environment.

Poland Joins SHC Programme

Reflections from the Chair
July 2024 - PDF 0.07MB
By: Lucio Mesquita

Heating represents 50% of energy end-use, and it is going to take an array of technologies and solutions to decarbonize the heating sector at the required speed. Our sector and our Programme are ready to meet this challenge with reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Reflections from the Chair

SACREEE: Empowering Women in Renewable Heating and Cooling: Boosting Participation and Impact
July 2024 - PDF 0.16MB
By: Selma Fetus

The SOLTRAIN+ project is actively encouraging women to participate in the Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC) sector by first understanding the needs in the five Southern African partner countries, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
 

SACREEE: Empowering Women in Renewable Heating and Cooling: Boosting Participation and Impact

Solar Award 2024: Five Projects Short listed
July 2024 - PDF 0.59MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Five projects shortlisted for the International Energy Agency Solar Heating Programme (IEA SHC) 2024 SHC SOLAR AWARD. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony on August 29th during the ISES and IEA SHC co-organized conference, EuroSun 2024, in Limassol, Cyprus.

Solar Award 2024: Five Projects Short listed

Solar Heat Worldwide - 2024 Edition
July 2024 - PDF 0.33MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Our flagship report, Solar Heat Worldwide 2024 is the most comprehensive evaluation of solar heating and cooling markets, encompassing data from 72 countries. The 2024 edition is available for free on the IEA SHC website. Highlighted below are a few of the findings from this year’s report.

Solar Heat Worldwide - 2024 Edition

Task 63: Planning for Enhanced Solar Access and Utilization in Neighborhoods
July 2024 - PDF 0.3MB
By: Maria Wall

IEA SHC Task 63: Solar Neighborhood Planning completes the work after more than four years, working on solar strategies, planning aspects, business models, stakeholder and citizen engagement, solar planning tools, including examples of real case studies from the 10 participating countries. This article highlights the main topics and some of the results.

Task 63: Planning for Enhanced Solar Access and Utilization in Neighborhoods

Task 65: Design Guidelines for Solar Cooling Applications
July 2024 - PDF 0.12MB
By: Uli Jakob, Puneet Saini, Wolfgang Weiss

The widespread adoption of solar cooling technology in the market is not solely driven by the system’s technical and economic aspects. Equally important is having a systematic approach for designing and installing systems in different climates and technology that can be easily managed by professionals who are not experts on the specific technology. It is for this reason, IEA SHC Task 65 on Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions has published “Design Guidelines.

Task 65: Design Guidelines for Solar Cooling Applications

Task 67: Standardizing Thermal Energy Storage Measurement Procedures
July 2024 - PDF 0.1MB
By: Daniel Lager

The IEA SHC Programme and the IEA Energy Storage Programme began collaborating in 2009. In this third joint Task on Compact Thermal Energy Storage: Materials within Components within Systems (SHC Task 67/ES Task 40), the objective is to accelerate the market introduction of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) materials. Over the past three years, one critical area of work has been developing and validating standardized TES measurement procedures for Phase Change Materials (PCM) and ThermoChemical Materials (TCM) and
maintaining material databases.

Task 67: Standardizing Thermal Energy Storage Measurement Procedures

ECREEE Hosts Solar Training in Cape Verde
December 2023 - PDF 7.24MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

In addition to SACREEE (responsible for Southern Africa) and RCREEE (responsible for North Africa and the MENA region), with which strong cooperation has existed for several years, the cooperation with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) is now also being intensified. As a first step, on-site training for 27 West African experts was conducted within the IEA SHC Solar Academy framework on October 10-12, 2023, in Cape Verde.

ECREEE Hosts Solar Training in Cape Verde

ECREEE Hosts Solar Training in Cape Verde
December 2023 - PDF 1.12MB
By: Werner Weiss, Uli Jakob

The IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) has been working for a number of years to expand its membership beyond the OECD countries, as we believe that the challenges posed by the transition to a sustainable energy supply based on renewable energy can only be met in cooperation with all global players.

ECREEE Hosts Solar Training in Cape Verde

New Work: In the Pipeline
December 2023 - PDF 1.41MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Two projects are under development and scheduled for approval at the June 2024 IEA SHC Executive Committee. Interested in joining? If from an IEA SHC member country, you are welcome to join the planning stages, simply contact the Task Organizer.

New Work: In the Pipeline

Solar Energy Buildings Around the World
December 2023 - PDF 1.38MB
By: Elsabet Nielsen

The analysis of 20 Solar Energy Buildings demonstration cases is wrapping up in IEA SHC Task 66 on Solar Energy Buildings. In this article, you will preview some of the high-solar fraction buildings in this collection.

 

Solar Energy Buildings Around the World

SOLERGY: Solar Thermal Collector Label Now Available in North America
December 2023 - PDF 0.59MB
By: Marisol Oropeza

The Solar Rating Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) and DIN CERTCO partnered to expand the SOLERGY label to North America. Since 2016, DIN CERTCO has been the designated certification body responsible for granting the SOLERGY collector label in Europe. The principal requirement to get the optional label is to have a valid Solar KEYMARK certificate. As of this October, 23 manufacturers and distributors of flat plate, evacuated tube, and PVT collectors have obtained and registered the SOLERGY label through DIN  CERTCO.
 


Task 63: 10 Questions on Solar Neighborhood Planning and Design Strategies
December 2023 - PDF 0.49MB
By: Maria Wall

10 key questions, 12 authors, and 2 years of drafting time led to a comprehensive paper on planning and design strategies for solar neighborhoods published in the journal Building and Environment. Maria Wall, the Task Manager of IEA SHC Task 63 on Solar Neighborhood Planning, spearheaded this initiative. "We worked hard to choose questions that have
relevance not only for researchers but also for policymakers, practitioners, and urban planners," notes Wall. The idea for publishing a "Ten  Questions" series was initiated in 2016 by the editors of Building and Environment.

Task 63: 10 Questions on Solar Neighborhood Planning and Design Strategies

Task 64: Solar Thermal at Work
December 2023 - PDF 0.8MB
By: Bärbel Epp

The inauguration of the 30 MW parabolic trough plant at the Heineken factory in Seville, Spain, on 30 September 2023 was exactly on time. The investor and plant operator Engie España had to put the plant into operation before the end of September to receive the extensive subsidy of EUR 13.4 million from the European Regional Development Fund. With its 30 MW, it is the largest solar industrial heat plant in Europe. It is followed by two flat plate collector fields – 10.5 MW in Nibbixwoud, Netherlands, for the Mol Freesia farm and 10 MW for Boortmalt´s malting plant in Issoudun, Southern France. A week after the inauguration, a group of experts from the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme visited the enormous installation.

Task 64: Solar Thermal at Work

Task 65: Sunbelt Chiller – An Innovative Solar Cooling Adaption
December 2023 - PDF 1.12MB
By: Richard Gurtner, Jan W. Bleyl, Uli Jakob

In 2016, air conditioning accounted for nearly 20% of the total electricity demand in buildings worldwide and is growing faster than any other energy consumption in buildings. The main share of the projected growth in energy use for air conditioning comes from emerging economies. Recognizing this developing market, in July 2020, IEA SHC Task 65 on Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions began its work on innovations for affordable, safe and reliable solar cooling systems for the Sunbelt region. The “innovation” is the adaptation of existing concepts/technologies to the Sunbelt regions using solar energy.

Task 65: Sunbelt Chiller – An Innovative Solar Cooling Adaption

Task 70: Making the right decisions, now!
A new guideline on lighting retrofits
December 2023 - PDF 0.42MB
Editor: Jan de Boer

The new IEA SHC LED Guideline for the Promotion of Lighting Retrofitting provides suggestions for accelerating the replacement of old lighting systems, harvesting the "low hanging fruits" and managing daylight. With lighting being responsible for about 15% of electricity consumption and about 5% of global CO2 emissions, it needs to be brought up to date with climate protection, energy sovereignty, and economic efficiency while ensuring user comfort at the same time.

Task 70: Making the right decisions, now!

SunScreen: Visual Fault Detection for Solar-Thermal Systems
August 2023
By: Lukas Feierl, Torsten Möller, Peter Luidolt
Publisher: IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications

Fault detection is essential to ensure the proper operation of solar-thermal plants. Hence, monitoring personnel frequently analyze the data to detect unusual behavior. While visualization approaches may considerably support the monitoring personnel during their work, no existing application can yet deal with the multivariate and time-dependent sensor data, or does not fully support the users' workflow. Thus, this work introduces the visual framework SunScreen. It allows users to explore the sensor data, automatically detected anomalies, and system events (e.g., already detected faults and services). The feedback from the users shows that they appreciate the tool and especially its annotation functionality. However, the SUS results indicate that it does not meet all requirements yet.

SunScreen: Visual Fault Detection for Solar-Thermal Systems

2014 Award Winner: Montmélian is Still as Sunny as Ever After a Decade
July 2023 - PDF 0.76MB
By: Daniel Mugnier

The advantage of public action is that it allows projects to be implemented over the long term. This is precisely what the town of Montmélian (Ville de Montmélian), aka Montmélian la Solaire, can boast when it comes to solar energy.
 

2014 Award Winner: Montmélian is Still as Sunny as Ever After a Decade

China’s Solar Thermal Market Shifting from Individual Installations to Large-scale Projects
July 2023 - PDF 1.05MB
By: He Tao

In 2021, the cumulative operation capacity of solar thermal systems in China reached 481.94 million square meters, accounting for 72.8% of the world’s installed area. The installed capacity of solar thermal power generation is 588 MW, accounting for 8.3% of the global cumulative installed capacity of solar thermal power generation. In recent years, the total installed solar thermal capacity has plateaued due to competition from heat pumps and photovoltaic systems and a slowing growth rate in the number of traditional small-scale and household solar water heating systems installed. In addition, the overall solar thermal industry growth rate is on a downward trend due to the impact of COVID-19.

China’s Solar Thermal Market Shifting from Individual Installations to Large-scale Projects

European Solar Research Infrastructure for Concentrated Solar Power Begins Operation
July 2023 - PDF 0.6MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

EU-SOLARIS ERIC, the European Solar Research Infrastructure for Concentrated Solar Power, held its constitutive meeting and first General Assembly on January 12th, 2023, marking the beginning of its operation.
 

European Solar Research Infrastructure for Concentrated Solar Power Begins Operation

Lucio Mesquita of Canada Elected New SHC Executive Committee Chair
July 2023 - PDF 0.33MB
By: Pamela Murphy

Lucio Mesquita of Natural Resources Canada is a familiar face to many of us and a longtime Task participant starting with Task 25 on Solar-Assisted Air Conditioning of Buildings in 1999.
 

Lucio Mesquita of Canada Elected New SHC Executive Committee Chair

New Publications Online
July 2023 - PDF 1.23MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

You won’t want to miss the new reports highlighted below. You can read them online or download them for free. Our complete library of publications – online tools, databases, and more – dating back to the start of the SHC Programme can be found on the IEA SHC website under the tab “Publications” or under a specific Task.
 

New Publications Online

Solar Cooling for Emerging Economies
July 2023 - PDF 0.06MB
By: Uli Jakob

Our solar cooling work will continue! In June, the Executive Committee approved the development phase for a new Task on Solar Cooling for Emerging Economies. This new work will build on five earlier SHC Tasks, particularly our current Task, Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions. This new Task is focused on three areas, solar cooling for industrial applications, thermal energy storage, and industrial waste heat recovery. Its aim is to demonstrate the potential for sustainable and efficient heating/cooling solutions as a systems approach in Southeast Asia, the Pacific region, Africa and South America.
 

Solar Cooling for Emerging Economies

Solar Energy’s Potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment
July 2023 - PDF 0.24MB
By: Christoph Brunner

Within the industry’s transition to a circular economy, sustainable wastewater treatment and recovery should be reached without excessive strain on limited energy supplies and by decreasing fossil energy consumption. The efficient supply of energy, the best possible integration of renewable energy sources, and the recovery of resources in a circular economy must go hand in hand. Experts from 14 countries analyzed the potential for solar heat and photons for wastewater treatment in industry and municipal wastewater treatment. This article highlights the most promising outcomes.

Solar Energy’s Potential for Water and Wastewater Treatment

Solar Heat Worldwide – 2023 Edition Now Online
July 2023 - PDF 3.02MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Our flagship report, Solar Heat Worldwide 2023 is the most comprehensive evaluation of solar heating and cooling markets with data from 71 countries. The 2023 edition is available for free on the IEA SHC website. Highlighted below are just a few of the findings from this year’s report.

 

Solar Heat Worldwide – 2023 Edition Now Online

Task 62 Interview: Christoph Brunner - Solar Energy in Industrial Water and Wastewater Management
July 2023 - PDF 0.16MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The SHC Programme finalized its work on Solar Energy in Industrial Water and Wastewater Management (SHC Task 62) at the end of 2022. To learn first-hand about the Task’s impact, we asked the Task Manager, Christoph Brunner of AEE, to share his thoughts on this 4-year project.
 

Task 62 Interview: Christoph Brunner - Solar Energy in Industrial Water and Wastewater Management

Task 64: New Conversion Factor for Concentrating Collector Statistics
July 2023 - PDF 0.42MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

A factor of 0.7 kWth per square meter of aperture collector area for the conversion of area to power for statistics on concentrating collectors is an essential step for international 
market statistics for new solar heat capacities. So far, the factor 0.7 kWth/m² is only used for non-tracking collectors, following a recommendation published by IEA SHC in
2004. However, sales of concentrating collectors are growing worldwide and also need a conversion factor to account for this dynamically developing market segment in global
market statistics.

Task 64: New Conversion Factor for Concentrating Collector Statistics

Task 68: Solar District Heating Info Package for Cities and Towns
July 2023 - PDF 0.55MB
By: Viktor Unterberger

Among the 6,000 cities and towns in Europe with district heating, 266 already feed solar heat into their grid. For municipalities that plan to expand and develop new district heating systems to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels, IEA SHC Task 68: Efficient Solar District Heating (SDH) Systems has developed a solar district heating info package. The 45-page presentation answers the key questions that city officers will have when considering solar heat as part of their energy infrastructure planning. Together with Euroheat & Power and the Covenant of Mayors, SHC Task 68 experts organized three webinars, which shed light on SDH from different angles.

Task 68: Solar District Heating Info Package for Cities and Towns


Using Radiation to Produce Hydrogen and Other Fuels
July 2023 - PDF 0.05MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The demand for “green” energy sources is on the rise! And as countries strive to decarbonize, hydrogen is emerging as an essential commodity. However, the challenge this presents lies in the fact that 99% of hydrogen production still relies on nonrenewable sources. Similarly, other fuels like methane, methanol, and ethanol face this production predictment. Plus, even if these green fuels were exclusively used for industrial purposes, freight and air transportation, the surplus electricity generated from renewable sources such as wind and photovoltaics (PV) combined with electrolyzers could adequately fulfill the demand. Therefore, it is crucial to explore alternative methods - solar energy - to generate these “green gases.” And the IEA SHC Programme is stepping up. 

Using Radiation to Produce Hydrogen and Other Fuels

One year of high-precision operational data including measurement uncertainties from a large-scale solar thermal collector array with flat plate collectors
June 2023
By: Daniel Tschopp, Philip Ohnewein, Roman Stelzer, Lukas Feierl, Marnoch Hamilton-Jones, Maria Moser, Christian Holter
Publisher: Elsevier

This work presents operational data of a large-scale solar thermal collector array. The array belongs to a solar thermal plant located at Fernheizwerk Graz, Austria, which feeds into the local district heating network and is one of the largest Solar District Heating installations in Central Europe. The collector array deploys flat plate collectors with a total gross collector area of 516 m2 (361 kW nominal thermal power). Measurement data was collected in situ within the scientific research project MeQuSo using high-precision measurement equipment and implementing extensive data quality assurance measures. Data compromises one full operational year (2017) in a 1-minute sampling rate with a share of missing data of 8.2%. Several files are provided, including data files and Python scripts for data processing and plot generation. The main dataset contains the measured values of various sensors, including volume flow, inlet and outlet temperature of the collector array, outlet temperatures of single collector rows, global tilted and global horizontal irradiance, direct normal irradiance, and weather data (ambient air temperature, wind speed, ambient relative humidity) at the plant location. Beyond the measurement data, the dataset includes additional calculated data channels, such as thermal power output, mass flow, fluid properties, solar incidence angle and shadowing masks. The dataset also provides uncertainty information in terms of standard deviation of a normal distribution, based either on sensor specifications or on error propagation of the sensor uncertainties. Uncertainty information is provided for all continuous variables, with some exceptions such as the solar geometry, where uncertainty is negligible. The data files include a JSON file containing metadata (e.g., plant parameters, data channel descriptions, physical units, etc.) in both human and machine-readable format. The dataset is suitable for detailed performance and quality analysis and for modelling of flat plate collector arrays. Specifically, it can be helpful to improve and validate dynamic collector array models, radiation decomposition and transposition algorithms, short-term thermal power forecasting algorithms with machine learning techniques, performance indicators, in situ performance checks, dynamic optimization procedures such as parameter estimation or MPC control, uncertainty analyses of measurement setups, as well as testing and validation of open-source software code. The dataset is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license. To the best knowledge of the authors, there is no comparable dataset of a large-scale solar thermal collector array publicly available.

One year of high-precision operational data including measurement uncertainties from a large-scale solar thermal collector array with flat plate collectors

Fault detective: Automatic fault-detection for solar thermal systems based on artificial intelligence
April 2023
By: Lukas Feierl, Viktor Unterberger, Claudio Rossi, Bernhard Gerardts, Manuel Gaetani
Publisher: Elsevier

Fault-Detection (FD) is essential to ensure the performance of solar thermal systems. However, manually analyzing the system can be time-consuming, error-prone, and requires extensive domain knowledge. On the other hand, existing FD algorithms are often too complicated to set up, limited to specific system layouts, or have only limited fault coverage. Hence, a new FD algorithm called Fault-Detective is presented in this paper, which is purely data-driven and can be applied to a wide range of system layouts with minimal configuration effort. It automatically identifies correlated sensors and models their behavior using Random-Forest-Regression. Faults are then detected by comparing predicted and measured values. The algorithm is tested using data from three large-scale solar thermal systems to evaluate its applicability and performance. The results are compared to manual fault detection performed by a domain expert. The evaluation shows that Fault-Detective can successfully identify correlated sensors and model their behavior well, resulting in coefficient-of-determination scores between R²=0.91 and R²=1.00. In addition, all faults detected by the domain experts were correctly spotted by Fault-Detective. The algorithm even identified some faults that the experts missed. However, the use of Fault-Detective is limited by the low precision score of 30% when monitoring temperature sensors. The reason for this is a high number of false alarms raised due to anomalies (e.g., consecutive days with bad weather) instead of faults. Nevertheless, the algorithm shows promising results for monitoring the thermal power of the systems, with an average precision score of 91%.

Fault detective: Automatic fault-detection for solar thermal systems based on artificial intelligence

Solar energy engineering and solar system integration – The solar Decathlon Europe 21/22 student competition experiences
April 2023
By: Karsten Voss, Kalpkirmaz Rizaoglu. Andrea Balcerzak, Heiko Hanse

The Solar Decathlon is a competition for universities from all over the world which focuses on designing, building and operating experimental, solar-powered houses. Participating in the project offers universities a unique and interdisciplinary platform for teaching, learning and research which combines practical experience with research. In 2022, the European edition was held in Germany for the first time. The event took place with a new urban profile to increase both the relevance of the competition and the learning experience. Its main topic was the further development of the European city, and specifically focused on the existing stock of residential apartment buildings. A total of 18 teams from 11 countries with over 500 students took part, with 16 teams ultimately building their houses on a shared solar campus. Demonstrating a balanced or a positive energy balance in practice was one of the essential goals of the competition. This was achieved by 13 of 15 projects in the energy contest. The prerequisites for this were a high level of energy efficiency and the consistent use of solar energy. Both strategies were embedded in convincing architectural concepts. These ranged from the minimised visibility of standard systems on rooftops, through to custom-built systems with full architectural integration in façades. Hybrid solar systems also became a focus, with the goal of making optimum use of the surfaces on the building envelope. This paper focuses on the energy engineering and technical and architectural integration of the solar systems. It also includes the results achieved in the competition linked to the learning experience.

Solar energy engineering and solar system integration – The solar Decathlon Europe 21/22 student competition experiences

2023 Kicks Off With Two New Projects
December 2022 - PDF 0.66MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Two new Tasks were approved at the December SHC Executive Committee Meeting. Both Tasks, one on lighting and the other on life cycle and cost assessment, highlight the breadth of work undertaken by the IEA SHC Programme.
 

2023 Kicks Off With Two New Projects

Inaugural ISES & IEA SHC EuroSun
December 2022 - PDF 0.46MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

At the first jointly organized EuroSun between ISES and IEA SHC, having over 480 solar experts from more than 50 countries gather in Kassel, Germany, was a welcome post-pandemic sight. And the silver lining was having Kassel University, the conference host, provide the perfect backdrop for drawing together new and experienced solar experts.
 

Inaugural ISES & IEA SHC EuroSun

ORVI Social Housing project wins IEA SHC 2022 Solar Award
December 2022 - PDF 0.71MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

ORVI’s housing project provides a simple, affordable, sustainable solar water heating option for 58 locally built homes. Ms. Helvi IIeka, Centre Head, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Namibia Energy Institute, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), and Mr. Leonhard Eins, Managing Director of Solsquare Energy (Pty) Ltd, received the award on behalf of the ORVI Social Housing project during EuroSun 2022, the International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry of IEA SHC and ISES held this year in Kassel, Germany.

ORVI Social Housing project wins IEA SHC 2022 Solar Award

Solar Geysers Beat the Limescale Blues in Limpopo
December 2022 - PDF 0.35MB
By: Karen Surridge

Families and members at Airforce Base Makhado in Limpopo are reaping the benefits of yet another energy efficiency project – this time, solar geysers designed to reduce the damage of limescale buildup and the amount of electricity used to heat water in domestic housing. Piloted as one of the projects implemented through a five-year partnership between the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the military (SANDF), this installation is part of ongoing research to ensure sustainable energy as well as quantify energy, cost, and emissions savings through energy efficient and renewable energy interventions.

Solar Geysers Beat the Limescale Blues in Limpopo

Solar Thermal Partners
December 2022 - PDF 0.8MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Heat Changers and the IEA SHC Programme understand the significance of Solar Heat in the push to reach a carbon-neutral world. With our new partnership, we look forward to demonstrating why Solar Heat is pivotal for our changing energy sectors.
 

Solar Thermal Partners

Solar Thermal Trends 2023
December 2022 - PDF 0.24MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

As 2022 comes to an end and 2023 begins, our team of SHC Task Managers wants to share trends they see coming in their fields of expertise. We hope that by taking the time to stop and think about where solar thermal is headed, we can stay one step ahead of the technological advances and market changes.

Solar Thermal Trends 2023

Task 64: Tips and Tricks to Contract and Design a SHIP Project
December 2022 - PDF 1.32MB
By: Bärbel Epp

It can be a big challenge to contract and design a SHIP (Solar Heat for Industrial Processes) project. SHC Task 64 on Solar Process Heat is working to support planners and investors as they consider such a project. During the recent SHC Solar Academy webinar, three SHC Task 64 experts shared tips and tricks on designing a SHIP project and the success factors to consider. The webinar recording, including the Q&A session, is available at https://www.iea-shc.org/solar-academy/webinar/solar-process-heat.

Task 64: Tips and Tricks to Contract and Design a SHIP Project

Task 65: Future Potential of Solar Cooling
December 2022 - PDF 0.48MB
By: Bärbel Epp

The energy demand for air-conditioning is growing faster than any other energy consumption in buildings.The main share of the projected growth for space cooling comes from emerging economies and will more than triple by 2050 to 6,000 TWh/a globally. What could be the contribution of PV and solar thermal cooling to meet this increasing demand in the next decade? This was the key question that Dr. Uli Jakob, Task Manager of SHC Task 65 on Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Region, elaborated on in his keynote presentation, The Future of Solar Cooling, at EuroSun 2022.

Task 65: Future Potential of Solar Cooling

Task 68: Fault-Detective – Fault Detection Based on Artificial Intelligence
December 2022 - PDF 0.42MB
By: Viktor Unterberger, Lukas Feierl, Sabine Putz

Good monitoring is essential to ensure the performance of solar thermal systems. Only then can solar al systems live up to their full potential and provide as much renewable energy as possible.

Task 68: Fault-Detective – Fault Detection Based on Artificial Intelligence

400 Million Residential Solar Water Heaters by 2030 Heaters by 2030
July 2022 - PDF 0.11MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has provided the solar hot water sector with a clear mission to deploy at least 400 million residential solar systems by 2030.Dr. Richard Hall, a Vice Chair of the Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC), discusses the implications of this new global mission on the structure of the solar thermal sector.

400 Million Residential Solar Water Heaters by 2030 Heaters by 2030

Collaborative Solar Initiatives Shine Bright in Southern Africa
July 2022 - PDF 3.28MB
By: Ivan Yaholnitsky
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The combination of abundant solar energy resources and heavy reliance on fossil fuels has led many African nations to look to the sun for solutions. And not surprisingly, they are finding solar solutions for all different applications and community needs. Here are highlights from four of our Southern Africa member countries.
 

Collaborative Solar Initiatives Shine Bright in Southern Africa

Compact Thermal Energy Storage Materials
July 2022 - PDF 0.6MB
By: Wim Van Helden
Editor: Pamela Murphy

IEA SHC is again partnering with the IEA Energy Storage (ES) Programme to tackle storage issues. Building on earlier projects, IEA SHC and IEA ES are collaborating to push compact thermal energy storage technology developments and accelerate the market introduction of these technologies. To achieve these goals requires a diverse international team of experts from materials research, components development and system integration, and industry and research organizations.

 

Compact Thermal Energy Storage Materials

Fall School 2022 – Solar Neighborhood Strategies & Concepts
July 2022 - PDF 0.05MB
By: r. Caroline Hachem-Vermette
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Preparations for the second Fall School of SHC Task 63 on Solar Neighborhood Planning are underway. The main objective of the course is to introduce and discuss various strategies and methods to assess and evaluate solar neighborhood strategies and concepts from different perspectives and standpoints.

Fall School 2022 – Solar Neighborhood Strategies & Concepts

How Load Profile and Roof Area Limit Solar Fractions of SHIP Plants
July 2022 - PDF 0.29MB
By: Felix Pag
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP) is a pivotal technology to decarbonize the industrial heat demand worldwide. And participants in SHC Task 64 on Solar Process Heat are working on the system level to identify, verify, and promote the role of solar heating plants in combination with other heat supply technologies.

How Load Profile and Roof Area Limit Solar Fractions of SHIP Plants

IEA SHC Solar Award 2022
Four Nominations Shortlisted!
July 2022 - PDF 1.39MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

he SHC Solar Award is given to an individual, company, or private/public institution that shows outstanding leadership or achievements in the field of solar heating and cooling and supports the work of the IEA SHC. This year’s SHC Solar Award will recognize a Solar Heating or Cooling project to reduce energy use and costs in social housing. The winner will be announced during EuroSun 2022 in Kassel, Germany.
 

IEA SHC Solar Award 2022

Projects in the Pipeline
July 2022 - PDF 0.17MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Info on two upcoming projects.

Projects in the Pipeline

Solar Decathlon Europe
July 2022 - PDF 1MB
By: Andreas Haberle
Editor: Pamela Murphy

IEA SHC and ISES (International Solar Energy Society) teamed up to present an Out-ofContest Award during the Solar Decathlon Europe this June in Wuppertal, Germany. The driver behind this collaboration was to shine a light on the team that successfully integrated solar
thermal concepts in their building.
 

Solar Decathlon Europe

Solar Hot Water for 2030 Project Kicks Off in July
July 2022 - PDF 0.35MB
By: Robert Taylor
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Worldwide, 250 million dwellings used solar thermal technologies for water heating in 2020. However, to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, as proposed by the IEA in their Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, we estimate that 170 million new conventional solar thermal technologies (e.g., thermosyphons and pumped circulation systems) and 120 million emerging solar systems (e.g., PV-driven systems) are needed.

Solar Hot Water for 2030 Project Kicks Off in July

Solar Thermal Market Records Year of Growth
July 2022 - PDF 1.1MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Our flagship report, Solar Heat Worldwide 2022 is the most comprehensive evaluation of solar heating and cooling markets with data from 70 countries. The 2022 report has a new design to better highlight all the data but covers the same categories – 2021 market development and trends, 2020 global markets, country statistics, distribution by system types and applications, and contributions to the energy supply and CO2 reductions. The full report and key findings are available for free on the IEA SHC website.

 

Solar Thermal Market Records Year of Growth

An adaptive short-term forecasting method for the energy yield of flat-plate solar collector systems
December 2021
By: Viktor Unterberger, Klaus Lichtenegger, Valentin Kaisermayer, Markus Gölles, Martin Horn
Publisher: Elsevier

The number of large-scale solar thermal installations has increased rapidly in Europe in recent years, with 70% of these systems operating with flat-plate solar collectors. Since these systems cannot be easily switched on and off but directly depend on the solar radiation, they have to be combined with other technologies or integrated in large energy systems. In order to most efficiently integrate and operate solar systems, it is of great importance to consider their expected energy yield to better schedule heat production, storage and distribution. To do so the availability of accurate forecasting methods for the future solar energy yield are essential. Currently available forecasting methods do not meet three important practical requirements: simple implementation, automatic adaption to seasonal changes and wide applicability. For these reasons, a simple and adaptive forecasting method is presented in this paper, which allows to accurately forecast the solar heat production of flat-plate collector systems considering weather forecasts. The method is based on a modified collector efficiency model where the parameters are continuously redetermined to specifically consider the influence of the time of the day. In order to show the wide applicability the method is extensively tested with measurement data of various flat-plate collector systems covering different applications (below 200°Celsius), sizes and orientations. The results show that the method can forecast the solar yield very accurately with a Mean Absolute Range Normalized Error (MARNE) of about 5% using real weather forecasts as inputs and outperforms common forecasting methods by being nearly twice as accurate.

An adaptive short-term forecasting method for the energy yield of flat-plate solar collector systems

Future Role of Solar Heat in the IEA’s Net Zero Roadmap
December 2021 - PDF 0.57MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

In May, the International Energy Agency published the 224-page report, Net Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, challenging policymakers with 400 milestones that governments need to realize to achieve the 1.5 °C target. At the report’s online press conference, IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol made some surprisingly forceful statements about the global net-zero emission targets for 2050 – statements widely quoted in the media since. “This is not a race between nations but a race against time. And no one wins unless everyone finishes,” he said. He also underlined that there is no longer a need for further investment in oil, gas, and coal.

Future Role of Solar Heat in the IEA’s Net Zero Roadmap

INTERVIEW: Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting
Task 61
December 2021 - PDF 0.23MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The SHC Programme finalized its work on Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting (SHC Task 61/EBC Annex 77) in November. To learn first-hand about the Task’s impact on lighting, we asked Jan de Boer, the Task Operating Agent, to share some of his thoughts on this 3.5-year project.

INTERVIEW: Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting

Interview: Renovating Historic Buildings Towards Zero Energy
Task 59
December 2021 - PDF 0.11MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

In November, the IEA SHC Programme finalized its work on Renovating Historic Buildings Towards Zero Energy (SHC Task 59/EBC Annex 76). To learn first-hand about the Task’s impact on historic buildings, we asked Alexandra Troi, the Task Operating Agent, to share some of her thoughts on this multi-year project.

Interview: Renovating Historic Buildings Towards Zero Energy

Solar Academy Update: Training Workshop Explores Economic and Technical Aspects of Solar Cooling in Southern Africa
December 2021 - PDF 0.61MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The IEA SHC Solar Academy and SOLTRAIN (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative) hosted with the support of SACREEE and SANEDI a specialized course for professionals on Solar Cooling for Sunbelt Regions in November at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in South Africa. A total of 46 participants from 7 countries took part, with around 8 of them participating virtually.

Solar Academy Update: Training Workshop Explores Economic and Technical Aspects of Solar Cooling in Southern Africa

Solar Process Heat Simulation Tools to Assess Yield
December 2021 - PDF 0.17MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Solar process heat system yields are simulated during feasibility studies and have a decisive influence on the profitability of the project investment. The large number of simulation tools available means that results can differ significantly and possibly create a lack of trust by investors. This is why a group of IEA SHC Task 64/SolarPACES Task IV: Solar Process Heat researchers, headed by Jose Cardemil, Associate Professor at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, decided to evaluate several tools by analyzing their
limitations and comparing their results.

Solar Process Heat Simulation Tools to Assess Yield

Taking Solar Neighborhood Tools to the Classroom
Task 63
December 2021 - PDF 1.06MB
By: C. Hachem Vermette

Solar neighborhoods are a piece in the puzzle in achieving net-zero energy districts and low-carbon cities. This is why the IEA SHC Task 63: Solar Neighborhood Planning participants are working on solar planning and economic strategies, simulation methods and tools, and case studies. One unique aspect of this project’s work is holding “Fall School” for Ph.D. and Advanced Masters students.

Taking Solar Neighborhood Tools to the Classroom

Task 61 The Best From Both Worlds: Integrated Solutions For Daylight and Electric Lighting
December 2021 - PDF 2.44MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

The IEA SHC Programme has worked on different lighting aspects over the years. The first SHC Tasks looked solely into the benefits of efficient daylight usage then shifted to a broader focus beginning with SHC Task 50: Advanced Lighting Solutions for Retrofitting Buildings, which addressed lighting retrofits. The most recent lighting project, IEA SHC Task 61: Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting, a collaborative project with IEA EBC, looked specifically at the interfaces of electric lighting and daylighting. Up until now, both were often treated as different trades in practice and research – although people work and live in one encompassing lighting environment. This said, the success of highly energy-efficient lighting designs hinges on more than
technological ingenuity. Other key make-or-break factors are smart control strategies and the interaction of lighting users with the built environment. These “other” factors were analyzed over the last three and half years by 55 experts from 37 research institutes, universities, and businesses in 17 countries. This article summarizes the key accomplishments and conclusions of SHC Task 61/
EBC Annex 77: Integrated Solutions for Daylighting and Electric Lighting.

Task 61 The Best From Both Worlds: Integrated Solutions For Daylight and Electric Lighting

The Real Climate Strikers
December 2021 - PDF 0.06MB
By: Dr. Richard Hall

Trade unions, which facilitate collaboration between employees to achieve strategic common employment-related goals, have a complex relationship with the solar sector that can be difficult to untangle. In this article, Dr. Richard Hall, a Vice Chair of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC), delves into this relationship to assess whether the IEA SHC Programme should be engaging more with trade unions, and if so, on what issues.
 

The Real Climate Strikers

The Role of Solar in Switzerland’s Energy Transition
December 2021 - PDF 1.35MB
By: Andreas Eckmanns, Stephan A. Mathez, Andreas Häberle

Switzerland ratified the Paris Agreement on 6 October 2017, setting a commitment to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 from 1990 levels, with partial emissions reductions from abroad. As an indicative target for 2050, the Swiss government decided in August 2019 that Switzerland should aim for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The net zero target is also the subject of a popular 2019 initiative, the “Glacier Initiative.” In response, the government has made a direct counter-proposal, and both the initiative and the counter-proposal are currently under discussion in Parliament.

The Role of Solar in Switzerland’s Energy Transition

Training Workshop Explores Economic and Technical Aspects of Solar Cooling in Southern Africa
December 2021 - PDF 6.65MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The IEA SHC Solar Academy and SOLTRAIN (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative) hosted with the support of SACREEE and SANEDI a specialized course for professionals on Solar Cooling for Sunbelt Regions in November at Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study in South Africa. A total of 46 participants from 7 countries took part, with around 8 of them participating virtually.
 

Training Workshop Explores Economic and Technical Aspects of Solar Cooling in Southern Africa

IEA SHC Welcomes SICREEE & Its Central America Members
July 2021 - PDF 0.85MB
By: Alexandra Arias
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

The Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of SICA (SICREEE) member countries are Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. SICREEE opened its doors in 2021 with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Central American Integration System (SG-SICA).

IEA SHC Welcomes SICREEE & Its Central America Members

Integrating Large SHC Systems into District Heating and Cooling Networks
July 2021 - PDF 1.16MB
By: Sabine Putz
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA ShC

Integrating large-scale solar thermal plants into district heating and cooling grids is playing a crucial role in many countries’ energy transformation to decarbonize their heating sector. Thermal networks offer a dual solution – increasing energy efficiency in urban areas and integrating renewable energies into the heat supply. The participants in IEA SHC Task 55: Integrating Large Solar Heating and Cooling Systems into District Heating and Cooling Networks worked from 2016–2020 on this topic with a holistic focus on solar systems that supply heating and cooling networks with high thermal shares.
 

Integrating Large SHC Systems into District Heating and Cooling Networks

Large-Scale Solar Thermal District Heating and Cooling: One on One with Sabine Putz
July 2021 - PDF 0.24MB
By: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

The SHC Programme wrapped up its third project on large solar systems (Task 55) in December 2020. To learn how the Task impacted this market sector, we’ve asked Sabine Putz, the Austrian Task Operating Agent, to share some of her thoughts on this 4-year project.
 

Large-Scale Solar Thermal District Heating and Cooling: One on One with Sabine Putz

Our Sleeping Giant at a Crossroad – Which Way Will It Turn?
July 2021 - PDF 0.04MB
By: Dr. Daniel Mugnier
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Dr. Daniel Mugnier, the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Technology Collaboration Programme’s former Chair shares his thoughts on the future of solar thermal.
 

Our Sleeping Giant at a Crossroad – Which Way Will It Turn?

PV2heat in South Africa — Almost 12,000 Systems Installed
July 2021 - PDF 0.26MB
By: Angelo Buckley and Karin Kritzinger
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

Through the SOLTRAIN project, coordinated by AEE INTEC and funded by the Austrian Development Agency, the Center for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University in South Africa has been collecting data on PV2heat installations in South Africa since 2018.
 

PV2heat in South Africa — Almost 12,000 Systems Installed

PVT Systems: Heat or Electricity From Solar – Why Only One When You Can Have Both?
July 2021 - PDF 1.34MB
By: Jean-Christophe Hadorn
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

A solar PV/Thermal (PVT) collector produces both heat and electricity thanks to a combination of a PV panel and a solar thermal collector or absorber. IEA SHC Task 60: PVT Systems investigated the possible concepts for the last three years with a group of experts from research laboratories and solar industries. The end results, good examples of different types of installations around the world, simulation models, key performance indicators, and a comparison of concepts. This article summarizes the work and findings of the Task and confirms that PVT technologies can play a vibrant role in the transition towards more solar energy for both heating and electricity production.

PVT Systems: Heat or Electricity From Solar – Why Only One When You Can Have Both?

PVT Systems: One on One with Jean-Christophe Hadorn
July 2021 - PDF 0.17MB
By: Pamela Murphy

The SHC Programme completed its most recent work on PVT Systems (Task 60) in December 2020. To learn how this Task impacted this market sector, we’ve asked Jean-Christophe Hadorn, the Swiss Task Operating Agent, to share some of his thoughts on this 3-year project. 

PVT Systems: One on One with Jean-Christophe Hadorn


Unexpected Solar Thermal Partnership Catalyzes Government Collaboration, Skills, Investment and Emissions Targets
July 2021 - PDF 1.02MB
By: Karen Surridge
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

One of the roles of the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) is to facilitate and coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development, and demonstration through local and international cooperation, technology transfer, and information exchange leading to the deployment and  commercialization of sustainable, efficient, reliable, costcompetitive and environmentally sound renewable  energy technologies.
 

Unexpected Solar Thermal Partnership Catalyzes Government Collaboration, Skills, Investment and Emissions Targets

Risk-Benefit Assessment Scheme for Renewable Solar Solutions in Traditional and Historic Buildings
May 2021
By: C.S. Polo Lopez, E. Lucchi, E. Leonardi, A. Durante, A. Schmidt, R. Curtis
Publisher: Sustainability

Within the framework of IEA-SHC Task 59, a multidisciplinary team of experts from around the world has come together to investigate current approaches for energy retrofit of the built heritage with energy efficiency conservation-compatible measures, in accordance with cultural and heritage values, and to check and adapt the new standard EN-16883:2017 for historic buildings. This paper introduces activities within IEA-SHC Task 59 (Subtask C) focused on retrofit solutions with high impact on sustainability, energy efficiency, and the integration of renewables, which is the main goal of the solar group, focused on the integrated solar systems for historic buildings. Relying on an extensive, detailed, and accurate collection of case studies of application of solar photovoltaic and thermal systems in historic buildings, the assessment criteria of the standard have been reviewed and tailored for better solar implementation evaluation in a heritage context. All this is studied based on technical compatibility, the heritage significance of the building and its settings, the economic viability, the energy performances and indoor environmental quality and use, as well as the impact on the outdoor environment of solar renewables.

Risk-Benefit Assessment Scheme for Renewable Solar Solutions in Traditional and Historic Buildings

Conservation-Compatible Retrofit Solutions in Historic Buildings: An Integrated Approach
March 2021
By: Alessia Buda, Ernst Jan de Place Hansen, Alexander Rieser, Emanuela Giancola, Valeria Natalia Pracchi, Sara Mauri, Valentina Marincioni, Virginia Gori, Kalliopi Fouseki, Cristina S. Polo Lopez, Alessandro Lo Faro, Aitziber Egusquiza, Franziska Haas, Eleonora Leonardi, Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa

Historic, listed, or unlisted, buildings account for 30% of the European building stock. Since they are complex systems of cultural, architectural, and identity value, they need particular attention to ensure that they are preserved, used, and managed over time in a sustainable way. This implies a demand for retrofit solutions able to improve indoor thermal conditions while reducing the use of energy sources and preserving the heritage significance. Often, however, the choice and implementation of retrofit solutions in historic buildings is limited by socio-technical barriers (regulations, lack of knowledge on the hygrothermal behaviour of built heritage, economic viability, etc.). This paper presents the approach devised in the IEA-SHC Task 59 project (Renovating Historic Buildings Towards Zero Energy) to support decision makers in selecting retrofit solutions, in accordance with the provision of the EN 16883:2017 standard. In particular, the method followed by the project partners to gather and assess compatible solutions for historic buildings retrofitting is presented. It focuses on best practices for walls, windows, HVAC systems, and solar technologies. This work demonstrates that well-balanced retrofit solutions can exist and can be evaluated case-by-case through detailed assessment criteria. As a main result, the paper encourages decision makers to opt for tailored energy retrofit to solve the conflict between conservation and energy performance requirements.

Conservation-Compatible Retrofit Solutions in Historic Buildings: An Integrated Approach

How Can Scientific Literature Support Decision-Making in the Renovation of Historic Buildings? An Evidence-Based Approach for Improving the Performance of Walls
February 2021
By: Valentina Marincioni, Virginia Gori, Ernst Jan de Place Hansen, Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa

Buildings of heritage significance due to their historical, architectural, or cultural value, here called historic buildings, constitute a large proportion of the building stock in many countries around the world. Improving the performance of such buildings is necessary to lower the carbon emissions of the stock, which generates around 40% of the overall emissions worldwide. In historic buildings, it is estimated that heat loss through external walls contributes significantly to the overall energy consumption, and is associated with poor thermal comfort and indoor air quality. This paper provides an evidence-based approach on the steps required during assessment, design, and construction, and after retrofitting through a literature review. Moreover, it provides a review of possible measures for wall retrofit within the deep renovation of historic buildings, including their advantages and disadvantages and the required considerations based on context.

How Can Scientific Literature Support Decision-Making in the Renovation of Historic Buildings? An Evidence-Based Approach for Improving the Performance of Walls

Integration of Energy-Efficient Ventilation Systems in Historic Buildings—Review and Proposal of a Systematic Intervention Approach
February 2021
By: Alexander Rieser, Rainer Pfluger, Alexandra Troi, Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa, Kirsten Engelund Thomsen, Jorgen Rose, Zeynep Durmus Arsan, Gulden Gokcen Akkurt, Gerhard Kopeinig, Gaelle Guyot, Daniel Chung

Historic building restoration and renovation requires sensitivity to the cultural heritage, historic value, and sustainability (i.e., building physics, energy efficiency, and comfort) goals of the project. Energy-efficient ventilation such as demand-controlled ventilation and heat recovery ventilation can contribute to the aforementioned goals, if ventilation concepts and airflow distribution are planned and realized in a minimally invasive way. Compared to new buildings, the building physics of historic buildings are more complicated in terms of hygrothermal performance. In particular, if internal insulation is applied, dehumidification is needed for robust and risk-free future use, while maintaining the building’s cultural value. As each ventilation system has to be chosen and adapted individually to the specific building, the selection of the appropriate system type is not an easy task. For this reason, there is a need for a scientifically valid, systematic approach to pair appropriate ventilation system and airflow distribution solutions with historical buildings. 

Integration of Energy-Efficient Ventilation Systems in Historic Buildings—Review and Proposal of a Systematic Intervention Approach

2020 Solar Thermal Trends
December 2020 - PDF 0.09MB
By: Viktor Unterberger

As 2020 comes to an end and 2021 begins, our team of SHC Task managers want to share some trends they see in their fields of expertise. We hope that by taking the time to stop and think about where solar thermal is headed, we can stay one step ahead of the technological advances and market changes.
 

2020 Solar Thermal Trends

France Takes Solar to University
December 2020 - PDF 0.32MB
By: Prof. Monika Woloszyn

France’s Solar Academy Graduate School is on course to become an international scientific reference on the integration of solar energy. Central to its work is integrating solar energy in the built environment by combining training and research at the highest level.
 

France Takes Solar to University

Heat Load Profiles – A Key for Unlocking Renewable Heating Systems Potential
December 2020 - PDF 1.49MB
By: Mateo Jesper and Felix Pag

In the context of IEA SHC Task 64: Solar Process Heat, researchers developed a method to estimate the heat load profiles of companies in industry and commerce to facilitate preliminary designs, feasibility assessments and potential studies on renewable heating systems.

 

Heat Load Profiles – A Key for Unlocking Renewable Heating Systems Potential

IEA SHC & IEA ECES Collaboration Makes Advances in Thermal Energy Storage
December 2020 - PDF 0.75MB
By: Wim van Helden, AEE INTEC, Austria, Alenka Ristic, NIC, Slovenia, Stefan Gschwander, FhG-ISE, Germany, Christoph Rathgeber, ZAE Bayern, Germany, Daniel Lager, AIT, Austria, Ana Lazaro, University of Zaragoza, Spain, Benjamin Fumey, EMPA, Switzerland

Thermal energy storage is key for integrating renewable heat sources into an energy system --from domestic applications to district heating and from industrial applications to the power sector. The flexibility storage provides is necessary for the coupling of energy sectors. When higher temperatures, volume restrictions or very long storage periods come into play, new compact thermal storage technologies are needed, but so is more work on their development for the different energy sectors. It is this need that was the motivation for SHC Task 58/ECES Annex 33: Material and Component Development for Thermal Energy Storage – to further improve the storage materials and components based on a better knowledge of the underlying physics and chemistry.

IEA SHC & IEA ECES Collaboration Makes Advances in Thermal Energy Storage


Lighting Solutions with People in Mind
December 2020 - PDF 0.21MB
By: Barbara Matusiak

The collaborative project, SHC Task 61 / EBC Annex 77 on Integrated Solutions for Daylight and Electric Lighting: From Component to User Centered System Efficiency, is wrapping up its work in June 2021 and results from these three and half year project are coming in. This article presents the first results of the Task’s work on user requirements and design support for practitioners against the backdrop of integrating daylight and electric lighting. 

Lighting Solutions with People in Mind

Material and Component Development for Thermal Energy Storage
Interview with Wim van Helden
December 2020 - PDF 0.32MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

The IEA SHC Programme concluded its joint project with the IEA Energy Conservation through Energy Storage (ECES) Programme on Material and Component Development for Thermal Energy Storage (SHC Task 58/ECES Annex 33). To learn first-hand how this Task supported thermal energy storage market development, we asked Wim van Helden, the SHC Task Operating Agent, to share some of his thoughts on this 3-year project.
 

Material and Component Development for Thermal Energy Storage

Our Heritage is the Unique Factor that can Reduce Carbon Emissions
December 2020 - PDF 1.85MB
By: Burcu Genc

This publication is in Turkish, with a link to the English translation at the top.

Lila Angelaka, Senior Technical Officer of Technical Research Team from the Scottish Historical Environment, points out that the restoration of the historical environment and historical buildings, especially with local and traditional materials, reduces the carbon emitted during both procurement and production of the material: “We advocate to reuse of existing buildings and their refurbishment. Many traditional buildings have an inherent, in-built resilience to climate impacts”.

ekoiq.com/2020/12/09/our-heritage-is-the-unique-factor-that-can-reduce-carbon-emissions/

Our Heritage is the Unique Factor that can Reduce Carbon Emissions

The Curators of Social Capital
Opinion
December 2020 - PDF 0.06MB
By: Dr. Richard Hall

Dr. Richard Hall, a Vice Chair of the Solar Heating and Cooling TCP, discusses the role that IEA TCPs play in curating sectoral social capital and how this elusive form of capital is used by governments to efficiently deploy resources in times of crisis.
 

The Curators of Social Capital

The Netherland’s Solar Heat Roadmap Looks Towards 2050
Country Highlight
December 2020 - PDF 0.38MB
By: Thomas Olejniczak

Being a northwestern European country with a temperate maritime climate, the Netherlands spends a considerable share of its energy to heat buildings. Of the 6,000 PJ consumed overall on a yearly basis, 500 PJ is used as heat for the built environment, most of which is produced using natural gas. As part of the commitments made in the Paris Climate Agreement, the Dutch government plans to phase out the use of natural gas in the built environment by 2050.

The Netherland’s Solar Heat Roadmap Looks Towards 2050

Virtual Workshops Tackle Technical and Market Assessments of Solar Cooling in the Caribbean
Solar Academy
December 2020 - PDF 0.76MB
By: CCREEE

About 30 consultants, researchers, manufacturers, grid operators and CCREEE staff joined a two-day training course organized by the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) as part of the SHC Solar Academy. CCREEE, the newest member of the SHC Programme, welcomed the opportunity to learn about Austria and Greece’s solar thermal work and the new SHC project, Task 65 on Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions.
 

Virtual Workshops Tackle Technical and Market Assessments of Solar Cooling in the Caribbean

A conceptual framework on the integration of solar energy systems in heritage sites and buildings
November 2020
By: E Lucchi, CS Polo Lopez, G Franco

The integration between solar energy systems and building components is highly critical in sensitive heritage contexts. On the one hand there is the need for finding a balance between the preservation of the aesthetic appearance and the historical values, but on the other hand, finding the space where to effectively integrate the systems might be quite challenging. 

A conceptual framework on the integration of solar energy systems in heritage sites and buildings

Risanamento energetico del patrimonio storico
September 2020
By: Cristina Polo López and Massimo Mobiglia

È possibile conservare edifici del passato in modo rispettoso della loro essenza e al contempo migliorarne l'efficienza energetica? Una domanda che concerne non solo i beni culturali riconosciuti, ma anche gli stabili di pregio costruiti negli scorsi decenni, secondo standard diversi da quelli attuali.

Risanamento energetico del patrimonio storico

Assessing the impact of climate change on energy retrofit of alpine historic buildings: consequences for the hygrothermal performance
August 2020
By: L. Hao, D. Herrera, A. Troi, M. Petitta, M. Matiu and C. Del Pero

Climate change will affect future hygrothermal performance of buildings. This could lead to higher risks regarding energy optimization, thermal comfort and historic building conservation depending on the local climate, building construction and retrofit solutions adopted. This paper explores the risks brought by climate change on a typical residential historic building of South Tyrol. The results obtained show that, although the climate warming will reduce the future heating energy demand, an improvement of buildings' energy performance will still be necessary to increase sustainability and ensure their continued use. Natural ventilation would suffice to prevent overheating in the studied location, but a further analysis is needed for warmer alpine regions. Regarding the moisture-related risks for the historic construction, mould growth should be considered when retrofitting a wooden wall and frost damage should be carefully studied in the case of sandstone walls.

Click here to access the full version. 

Assessing the impact of climate change on energy retrofit of alpine historic buildings: consequences for the hygrothermal performance

A Spotlight on Renewables in the Slovak Republic
July 2020 - PDF 0.29MB
By: Artur Bobovnický
Publisher: IEA SHC

The Slovak Republic (SR) became an independent nation in 1993. In 2000, it became a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a Member State of the European Union (EU) in May 2004, a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2007, and then in 2016 joined the IEA SHC Programme.
 

A Spotlight on Renewables in the Slovak Republic

Building Integrated Solar Envelopes: Current Status and Actions Needed
July 2020 - PDF 1.55MB
By: Roberto Fedrizzi

The objective of our Task on Building Integrated Solar Envelope Systems for HVAC and Lighting was to answer how solar envelope systems can become common practice in building construction. The SHC team that tackled this challenge was a group of experts from eight countries representing seven companies, six universities, and four research institutes. How they went about it was to tackle the issue from different angles – simulation of multifunctional envelope systems, review of laboratory tests and norms, and market assessments. The following is what they concluded needs to be done and by whom to push this technology further into the building market.

Building Integrated Solar Envelopes: Current Status and Actions Needed

How to maintain your traditional tenement flat and communal areas
July 2020
By: Lila Angelaka
Publisher: Scottish Construction Now

A short article with information about general maintenance of tenement flats and communal areas within Scotland. This includes links to further information and common repairs.

How to maintain your traditional tenement flat and communal areas

IEA SHC Welcomes Three New Organizations
July 2020 - PDF 1.57MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

SACREEE, the South African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, joins four other UNIDO Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SECs) members in the IEA SHC Programme.  That is exciting is that each GN-SEC member brings a different regional focus to our work. SACREEE brings the perspective and experiences of sixteen Southern African countries.
 

IEA SHC Welcomes Three New Organizations

New Solar Cooling Project
July 2020 - PDF 0.26MB
By: Uli Jakob

The new project, Task 65: Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt Regions, builds upon our past four solar
cooling Tasks. This Task will be different in that it focuses on innovations for affordable, safe, and
reliable solar cooling systems in sunbelt regions. The primary driver for continuing this work is that air-conditioning accounts for nearly 20% of the total electricity demand in buildings worldwide and is growing faster than any other energy use in buildings. If measures are not taken to counteract this increase, the demand for space cooling will almost triple by 2050, with estimates reaching 6,200 TWh or 30% of the total electricity use in buildings.

New Solar Cooling Project

OPINION: Optimism for Solar Beyond the Great Lockdown
July 2020 - PDF 0.08MB
By: Dr. Richard Hall

I write this opinion piece on Sunday the 26th of April 2020, a day when the death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 200,000. Whilst the situation is starting to stabilize in many parts of the world, the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both public health and the economy is something that we will all be dealing with for many years to come.
 

OPINION: Optimism for Solar Beyond the Great Lockdown

Solar Energy in Industrial Water and Wastewater Management
July 2020 - PDF 0.84MB
By: Christoph Brunner
Solar Energy in Industrial Water and Wastewater Management

Solar Heat Worldwide 2020
Megawatt Installations on the Rise
July 2020 - PDF 1.93MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy

Solar thermal for district heating is on the rise worldwide. In Denmark, where the market grew by about 170% in 2019, and other countries like China and Germany, this rise is primarily due to advances in cost competitiveness. Also, driving this growth is the rising demand for industrial and agricultural applications. While residential water heating systems, the largest market sector, were under pressure in China and Central Europe from competing technologies, residential sales increased significantly in South Africa, Greece, Cyprus, and Brazil.

 

Solar Heat Worldwide 2020

Country Highlight: South Africa – Coal Out, Solar and Wind In
December 2019 - PDF 1.11MB
By: Dr. Karen Surridge and Ms. Khothasto Mpeqeke of SANEDI and Ms. Karin Kritzinger of the University of Stellenbosch
Editor: Pam Murphy

South Africa is demonstrating its commitment to a more sustainable future growth path by supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, together with skills development and job creation through fostering a green economy. South Africa is among the highest emitters of carbon dioxide in the world, currently ranked in the top 20 in terms of top emitters per capita, since more than 75% of our primary energy requirement is derived from fossil fuels. The country responded to the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel dependency, diversify the energy mix and supply, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint with a supportive policy and legislative framework that exploits the excellent local renewable energy resources, especially wind and solar.

Country Highlight: South Africa – Coal Out, Solar and Wind In

New SHC Projects in 2020
December 2019 - PDF 0.35MB
By: Pam Murphy

New Task on Solar Process Heat Starts in January / Planning Underway for a Working Group on Life Cycle and Cost Assessment for Heating and Cooling Technologies / 

 

New SHC Projects in 2020

Portugal and Spain’s Innovative Solar Solutions for Waste Management in the Iberian Peninsula
December 2019 - PDF 0.22MB
By: Miguel Miranda, João Cardoso, Pedro Azevedo, David Loureiro, Farinha Mendes and Victor Mantilla of LNEG

The SECASOL project is implementing innovative solar thermal solutions in wastewater sludge and municipal solid waste drying processes in southern Portugal and Spain.
 

Portugal and Spain’s Innovative Solar Solutions for Waste Management in the Iberian Peninsula

Deep renovation of historic buildings: The IEA-SHC Task 59 path towards the lowest possible energy demand and CO2 emissions
October 2019
By: Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa, Franziska Haas, Gustaf Leijonhufvud, Tor Brostrom, Alessia Buda, Valeria Pracchi, Amanda Laurel Webb, Walter Hüttler, Alexandra Troi
Publisher: International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation

Improving the energy performance of historic buildings has the potential to reduce carbon emissions while protecting built heritage through its continued use. However, implementing energy retrofits in these buildings faces social, economic, and technical barriers. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to present the approach of IEA-SHC Task 59 to address some of these barriers.

Deep renovation of historic buildings: The IEA-SHC Task 59 path towards the lowest possible energy demand and CO2 emissions

Economic comparison of reference solar thermal systems for households in five European countries
September 2019
By: Y. Louvet, S. Fischer, S. Furbo, F. Giovannetti, S. Helbig, M. Köhl, D. Mugnier, D. Philippen, F. Veynandt, K. Vajen
Publisher: Elsevier

This study presents a methodology developed in the framework of Task 54 of the Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Program of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to calculate the heat cost per kWh final energy of solar thermal systems. Based on the concept of levelized cost of energy, three indicators are introduced depicting the heat cost of the solar part of the heating system only (LCoHsol,fin), the conventional part (LCoHconv,fin) or the overall solar assisted heating system (LCoHov,fin). The LCoHov,fin enables a comparison with other heating systems using different technologies. Applied to eleven residential systems in five European countries, the results show that the heat cost differs widely, depending on countries and system types. The solar heating system raises the heat cost of the overall solar assisted heating system compared to a reference system without solar assistance (subsidies are not considered) in most studied cases, but some solar domestic hot water systems and solar heating systems for multi-family houses are close to parity under current economic conditions and the assumptions considered in the paper. This work also highlights the importance of calculating the heat cost with a standardized methodology to enable a comparison between different systems.


Performance modeling of PVT collectors: Implementation, validation and parameter identification approach using TRNSYS
September 2019 - PDF 3.03MB
By: Danny Jonas, Manuel Lämmle, Danjana Theis, Sebastian Schneider, Georg Frey

Photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors are hybrid solutions for the conversion of solar energy into electrical andthermal energy. The development of validated and standardized PVT collector models is important for thecomparison of products, informed decision making based on energetic and economic performance, and topromote the market diffusion of PVT technology. This contribution presents a novel PVT performance model,compares different parameter identification approaches, and validates the model and its implementation in acommon simulation software (TRNSYS) for system simulations.

Performance modeling of PVT collectors: Implementation, validation and parameter identification approach using TRNSYS

Microclimatic monitoring of the Duomo (Milan Cathedral): Risks-based analysis for the conservation of its cultural heritage
January 2019
By: N. Aste, R.S. Adhikari, M. Buzzetti, S. Della Torre, C. Del Pero, H.E. Huerto C, F. Leonforte

This research describes the methodology applied to carry out the monitoring campaign on the Milan Duomo, one of the biggest Cathedrals in Italy. The campaign was carried out by means of non-invasive measuring instruments, in order to keep the building intact and ensure the smooth running of the activities. In a second stage, sensors for the long-term monitoring were installed according to the most significant and accessible points inside the Cathedral.

The data collected during one year of monitoring was used to characterize the hygrothermal behaviour of the Cathedral, in order to assess the risks for the main materials which sacred objects, artworks, organs, sculptures and furnishing are made of.

Microclimatic monitoring of the Duomo (Milan Cathedral): Risks-based analysis for the conservation of its cultural heritage

Advanced thermal storages - towards higher energy densities, long term storage and broader operating ranges
December 2018 - PDF 0.19MB
Publisher: IEA SHC Task 58
As the share of renewables in energy production grows so does the role for thermal energy storage. The wide range of applications for thermal energy storage presents a broad range of development conditions for advanced thermal storage technologies to supplement the existing, widely used water-based heat storage technologies. Thermal energy storage could reveal itself as a real game-changer, allowing for a notable decrease in primary energy demand, thus reducing the energy footprint. It could also support the widespread acceptance and use of renewable energy as well as the efficient use of fluctuating energy sources.
Advanced thermal storages - towards higher energy densities, long term storage and broader operating ranges

Building Experts at EuroSun 2018 Discuss What’s Being Done and What Needs To Be Done
December 2018 - PDF 0.21MB
By: Matteo D’Antoni

The 12th EuroSun International Conference on Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry was a big success. On September 10th to 13th, more than 130 oral and 180 poster presentations were given to an audience of researchers, professionals, and experts from all over the world in Rapperswil, Switzerland.

Building Experts at EuroSun 2018 Discuss What’s Being Done and What Needs To Be Done

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.
Country Highlight: Portugal - Sun & Innovation Drive Change

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.
Interview with Daniel Mugnier: New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems

Next Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems
December 2018 - PDF 0.49MB
By: Daniel Mugnier, Bärbel Epp
Publisher: IEA SHC Task 53
For the IEA SHC, we’ve long seen this ever-growing demand for cooling as an opportunity for solar technology and an area for international collaboration. Our most recent solar cooling Task is winding down. For the past four years, an international team of researchers worked on 1) solutions to make solar driven heating and cooling systems cost competitive and 2) building a sustainable and robust market for new innovative solar thermal and PV cooling systems. (Task’s results continue to be posted on the Task webpage task53.iea-shc.org). Both of these goals require methods for assessing and evaluating the technical and economic potential of the technology and benchmarking against conventional systems and different renewable technologies. Two tools developed to do just this are T53E4 and ELISA.
Next Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems

Solar Standards and Certification
December 2018 - PDF 0.13MB
Publisher: IEA SHC Task 57
As 2018 comes to an end so does our most recent Task on Solar Standards and Certification. SHC Task 57 built on the work of Task 43 on Solar Rating and Certification Procedures to develop, improve and promote ISO standards on test procedures and requirements for solar thermal products as well as to harmonize at the international level certification schemes. It is this harmonization work that sets this Task apart from our other work and the work begin carried out by other organizations. Task 57 participants leveraged the SHC platform of international collaboration to push a global certification initiative to improve the harmonization of certification schemes and avoid the need for re-testing and re-inspection of solar thermal products.
Solar Standards and Certification

Outdoor characterization of colored and textured prototype PV façade elements
Proceedings of 35th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition EU PVSEC 2018, Brussels
November 2018 - PDF 0.67MB
By: Tzikas C., Valckenborg R., van den Donker. M., Bognar A., Duque Lozano D., Loonen R.C.G.M., Hensen, J.L.M., Folkerts. W.
Document Number: https://doi.org/10.4229/35thEUPVSEC20182018-6AO.8.

Abstract - The aim of this study is to assess the performance of prototype PV façade elements of various PV technologies, colors and textures. Within this context, a prototype PV façade demonstrator was constructed and monitored at SolarBEAT, Eindhoven. This prototype demonstrator consists of 9 façade PV panels of c-Si and CIGS technologies with flat and textured solar glasses and black, grey and red colors. The field-testing results indicate a limited performance drop of less than 20% for all colors and textures.

Outdoor characterization of colored and textured prototype PV façade elements

Advanced daylighting systems and combined lighting and thermal simulation
13th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Oct. 1-2, 2018, Bern, Switzerland, website: abs.green
October 2018 - PDF 0.34MB
By: David Geisler-Moroder, Christian Knoflach, Silvia Öttl, Wilfried Pohl

Abstract - As the interface between interior and exterior spaces, the façade plays a key role for the thermal and visual conditions in buildings. Advanced daylighting systems should fulfill various and in parts contradictory requirements: they must provide sufficient and adequately distributed natural lighting, avoid visual discomfort (glare) while allowing visual contact to the exterior, provide solar gains for heating in winter and protect from high radiation against overheating in summer. Integrating these functionalities often results in products which are more complex than conventional sunshading systems and thus are often not properly characterized and cannot be applied in standard design workflows. We present approaches for the characterization of advanced daylighting systems and introduce DALEC, a simplified tool for combined lighting and thermal simulations that can account for such systems. (...)

Advanced daylighting systems and combined lighting and thermal simulation

Building retrofit using facade-integrated energy supply systems
ISEC - International Sustainable Energy Conference, Congress Graz, Austria, 03.-05. October 2018
October 2018 - PDF 1.08MB
By: Dagmar Jaehnig, Thomas Ramschak, David Venus, Karl Hoefler, Christian Fink

Abstract - A new approach of highly-efficient thermal refurbishments of multi-family buildings is presented that has a high potential to reduce costs and simplify the renovation processes significantly. This approach is based on prefabricated curtain wall elements that integrate components for the energy supply system such as heat pumps, PV panels and all the necessary pipework for supply and waste water lines. By using pre-fabricated curtain wall elements, scaffolding and the relocation of inhabitants can be avoided. Three different system concepts have been evaluated and compared to a reference retrofit in terms of primary energy and life cycle costs. It has been shown that the new concepts can reduce the primary energy consumption significantly while reducing the costs over the lifetime of the system. Finally, a functional mockup of such as pre-fabricated façade was constructed and successfully tested in the laboratory.

Building retrofit using facade-integrated energy supply systems

Characterization of advanced daylighting systems and combined lighting and thermal simulation
13th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, Oct. 1-2, 2018 - website: abs.green
October 2018 - PDF 0.34MB
By: David Geisler-Moroder, Christian Knoflach, Silvia Öttl, Wilfried Pohl

Abstract - As the interface between interior and exterior spaces, the façade plays a key role for the thermal and visual conditions in buildings. Advanced daylighting systems should fulfill various and in parts contradictory requirements: they must provide sufficient and adequately distributed natural lighting, avoid visual discomfort (glare) while allowing visual contact to the exterior, provide solar gains for heating in winter and protect from high radiation against overheating in summer. (...) We present approaches for the characterization of advanced daylighting systems and introduce DALEC, a simplified tool for combined lighting and thermal simulations that can account for such systems. A comparison between DALEC and TRNSYS proves that the simplified approach is adequate for integrated simulations in early design phases.

Characterization of advanced daylighting systems and combined lighting and thermal simulation

Deep renovation of a MFH with decentral compact heat pumps
ISEC - International Sustainable Energy Conference, Congress Graz, Austria, 03.-05. October 2018
October 2018 - PDF 1.3MB
By: Fabian Ochs, Dietmar Siegele, Toni Calabrese, Georgios Dermentzis

Abstract - Within the framework of the Austrian FFG project “SaLüH!” concepts with high energy efficient and cost-effective decentral small scale heat pumps for heating and DHW preparation for the renovation of small dwellings in multi-story buildings are developed and investigated. Very compact heat pumps are developed in order to enable the integration of these units into the window parapet or into the façade. The wall integration has a high potential in pre-fabrication and leads to an optimal solution for renovation of small apartments. The target is to create a complete renovation package with a decentralized (apartment size) exhaust-air heat pump (HP) for ventilation and heating installed in the kitchen and an air-to-water HP for DHW preparation installed in the bathroom. The solutions aim to be cost effective, involving components and technologies with high efficiency and minimum noise emissions. (...)

Deep renovation of a MFH with decentral compact heat pumps

Living in Light – a transformation concept of existing buildings
13th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Oct. 1-2, 2018, Bern, Switzerland, website: abs.green
October 2018 - PDF 0.7MB
By: Jakob Klint, Vickie Aagesen

Abstract - The intension of Living in Light is to create additional space behind a more transparent and flexible building envelope in a transformation of existing buildings. The purpose is to make a more demand driven concept for renewal and transformation of existing buildings to the benefit of the users, the owners and the environment. The transparent building envelope adds new qualities to the building. A part from more space it creates a “Summer Garden”, with daylight and better indoor environment, active facades (PV and thermal sun power) and better energy performance. The Living in Light Box tests the concept. www.livinginlight.info | Paper | Presentation

Living in Light – a transformation concept of existing buildings

Solar thermal façade systems – An interdisciplinary approach
13th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, Oct. 1-2, 2018 - website: abs.green
October 2018 - PDF 0.74MB
By: P.-R. Denz, P. Vongsignha, S.F. Haeringer, T.E. Kuhn, C. Maurer, M. Hermann, H. Seifarth, K. Morawietz

Abstract - To reach future Net-Zero Energy Buildings as requested by the “Energy Performance of Buildings Directive” the integration of systems for harvesting of renewable energy is decisive. Building integrated solar thermal (BIST) collectors can play an important role in this paradigm shift. In the R&D projects ArKol and TABSOLAR multidisciplinary teams develop different BIST systems for transparent and opaque facades. These solutions help trigger highly qualitative architectural integration of solar thermal collectors and are planned for future realization. This paper describes the basic layout of these systems and the current state of development.
 

Solar thermal façade systems – An interdisciplinary approach

Combining multi-view photogrammetry and wireless sensor networks when modelling the hygrothermal behaviour of heritage buildings
September 2018 - PDF 0.54MB
By: S. Dubois, M. de Bouw, Y. Vanhellemont, D. Stiernon and S. Trachte
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The construction sector has now entered the ‘Digital era’, and professionals are slowly getting familiar with many of these innovative technologies. This paper shows how such innovations improve the investigation phase when it comes to energy retrofits on heritage buildings. More specifically, multi-view photogrammetry and wireless sensor networks can facilitate the implementation and enhance the relevance of building hygrothermal and energy simulations: photogrammetry quickens up the reproduction of the building geometry whereas wireless sensor networks facilitate and enlarge the collection of data relative to the existing behaviour of an occupied building. This paper explores the benefits of using those two technologies compared to more traditional solutions, regarding data quality and general workflow. In this purpose, two case studies from research projects ongoing in Belgium are briefly described.

Click here for the full version, p. 156.

Combining multi-view photogrammetry and wireless sensor networks when modelling the hygrothermal behaviour of heritage buildings

Decision support tool for the innovative and sustainable renovation of historic buildings (HISTool)
September 2018 - PDF 0.71MB
By: W. Hüttler, D. Bachner, G. Hofer, M. Krempl, G. Trimmel and I. Wall
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The HISTool is a software-based tool for the analysis of the current building status, and a decision support tool for the innovative and sustainable renovation specifically of Gründerzeit buildings. These were built between 1840 and 1918 with partially standardized designs and components in CentralEuropean cities. The tool is designed to be applied particularly in the preparation and decision-making stage of renovation projects in the Gründerzeit building sector, prior to the actual planning phase. For the decision-making process, it is essential to provide solid data on different renovation options in an early phase based on life-cycle costs, without a lot of calculation effort. The calculation is based on a model of the building, which consists of 40 elements according to the specifics of Gründerzeit buildings and the selection of predefined renovation measures. The integrated energy performance and life-cycle cost calculation leads to the derivation of life-cycle costs of different renovation variants. A comparison of life-cycle costs of different renovation options leads to information-based renovation decisions. The aim is to stimulate the Gründerzeit sector in the real estate market to implement more energy-efficient and innovative renovations, which are compatible with the specific requirements of historic buildings, and to contribute to the fulfilment of the climate-protection goals. HISTool particularly reflects the environmental and economic goals of sustainable management of historic buildings according to EN 16883, and supports the planning and decision making procedure in the first phase as well as in the detailed planning phase when it comes to the selection of specific measures and assessment against the initial project targets.

Click here for the full version, p. 227.

Decision support tool for the innovative and sustainable renovation of historic buildings (HISTool)

Energy savings due to internal façade insulation in historic buildings
September 2018 - PDF 0.26MB
Editor: Tor Broström, Lisa Nilsen and Susanna Carlsten
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The paper presents desktop analyses of potential energy savings in historic buildings, carried out using standard boundary conditions for calculation of energy savings, as prescribed in the European building energy performance certification schemes. Internal insulation of the building’s façades can potentially reduce the theoretical energy demand for space heating by 9 to 43 % compared to the energy demand of the original building if installed moisture-safe. Combined with other commonly used energy saving measures, 43–78 % reduction of the energy demand was estimated.

Click here for the full version, p. 24.

Energy savings due to internal façade insulation in historic buildings

How to estimate material properties for external walls in historic buildings before applying internal insulation
September 2018 - PDF 0.3MB
By: E.J. de Place Hansen and E.B. Møller
Editor: Tor Broström, Lisa Nilsen and Susanna Carlsten
Publisher: EEHB 2018

Before deciding how to improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings by applying thermal insulation, an estimation of consequences, e.g. changes in heat and moisture flux, must be made. In the EU-project RIBuild, attempts have been made to cluster historic building materials; enabling a user to choose an appropriate material and include uncertainties. Unfortunately, the decisiveness of properties depended on whether e.g. conditions at external or internal surface of the brick wall were considered.

Click here for the full version, p. 43.

How to estimate material properties for external walls in historic buildings before applying internal insulation

Outlining a methodology for assessing deterioration threshold criteria
September 2018 - PDF 0.17MB
By: L. Lång, P. Johansson, C-M. Capener, H. Janssen, J. Langmans, E. Møller, M. D’Orazio and E. Quagliarini
Editor: Tor Broström, Lisa Nilsen and Susanna Carlsten
Publisher: EEHB 2018

This paper describes a methodology for assessing damage threshold criteria. The methodology includes a survey and determination of threshold values for deterioration, which can then be used to evaluate the risk in specific structures of external walls. The work includes summarizing existing knowledge and adapting and developing models for failure modes based on field and laboratory testing. Failure modes include frost damage of the exterior façade layer, rot and mould growth within the building envelope and adjoining structures, as well as discolouring of façade surfaces due to biological growth.

Click here for the full version, p. 34.

Outlining a methodology for assessing deterioration threshold criteria

Potentialities and criticalities of different retrofit guidelines in their application on different case studies
September 2018 - PDF 0.43MB
By: V. Pracchi and A. Buda
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The paper aims to investigate criticalities and potentialities of the Italian Cultural Heritage Ministry’s Guidelines (October 2015) and the European Guidelines for Improving Energy Performance of Historic Buildings (EN 16883 – June 2017), comparing and applying them to selected case studies. The documents represent an instrument to help public authorities and designers to follow an iterative retrofit process; in both cases it is possible to notice some difficulties in their technical application. Thus, we have identified their critical and positive features through the case studies assessment. The scope is to underline possible issues and to suggest new solutions in both cases, improving the existing guidelines with other targets to obtain a calibrated evaluation method, which could guide the retrofit project.

Click here for the full version, p. 285.

Potentialities and criticalities of different retrofit guidelines in their application on different case studies

Removable textile devices to improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings
September 2018 - PDF 0.46MB
By: V. Pracchi, E. Rosina, A. Zanelli and C. Monticelli
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The paper aims to present innovative studies concerning removable devices for enhancing thermal performance or mitigating criticalities in listed buildings. The first concerns a “high tech” curtain studied for preventing air drafts from the windows, causing different forms of decay in the Sala delle Asse in Castello Sforzesco (Milano), world known for the Leonardo Da Vinci fresco. The second body of research deals with a new type of “arazzo” (removable and usable seasonally) to improve the insulation of the walls. The study case regards the collection of historic “arazzi” in Sala della Balla, in Castello Sforzesco as well.
The focus is to investigate how the main properties of the removable devices  affect the thermal exchange with the air and the surfaces where they are applied. A third study case is a masterpiece of listed modern architecture, Casa del Fascio in Como, where the new uses require cooling with the addition of a shadowing system.

Click here for the full version, p. 129.

Removable textile devices to improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings

The “Waaghaus” of Bolzano
September 2018 - PDF 0.48MB
By: D. Exner, M. Larcher, A. Belleri, A. Troi and F. Haas
Publisher: EEHB 2018

The present paper analyzes the renovation project of a heritage medieval building located in the city center of Bolzano–the “Waaghaus”. The building has been used as case study in the EU-project 3encult, where it has been extensively studied both from heritage and energy efficiency points of view. Our analysis, partly based on the experience gained in the EU-project, aims at validating and improving the renovation project that was developed by a design team commissioned by the owner. In particular three aspects of the renovation are mainly investigated: 1) Reduction of the energy demand 2) Indoor climate and air quality 3) Hygrothermal risk in critical points. Results show that the proposed renovation cuts the energy demand to 60 percent. Moreover they demonstrate that, when renovating a historic building, it is crucial to carefully investigate the ventilation strategy and the critical construction details. Not considering these two aspects can lead to poor air quality and to a significant risk of surface mould and condensation formation.

Click here for the full version, p. 137.

The “Waaghaus” of Bolzano

The effect of climate change on the future performance of retrofitted historic buildings
September 2018 - PDF 0.15MB
By: L. Hao, D. Herrera and A. Troi
Publisher: EEHB 2018

Historic buildings account for more than one quarter of Europe’s existing building stock and are going to be crucial in the achievement of future energy targets. In order to ensure their endurance, conservation compatible solutions are needed. Nevertheless, some alteration in the climate is already certain and therefore the impact of climate change on retrofitted historic buildings should be considered in terms of occupants’ comfort, heritage conservation, and energy performance. Inappropriate interventions might weaken the potential of original passive climate adaptive system, such as thermal mass and night cooling, leading to higher risks of overheating. Similarly, retrofit solutions will change the moisture dynamics of historic envelopes, which might lead to moisture damages when combined with more extreme precipitation events. This paper reviews recent literature that provides evidence of climate change’s impact on retrofitted buildings, reveals potential future risks, and thereby throws light on new factors influencing the retrofit decision-making process.

Click here for the full version, p. 62.

The effect of climate change on the future performance of retrofitted historic buildings

What’s behind the façade?
September 2018 - PDF 0.55MB
By: G. Leijonhufvud, M. Tunefalk and M. Legnér
Publisher: EEHB 2018

Energy efficiency policies might have a negative impact on the heritage values of buildings, an issue widely recognized in Sweden during and after the extensive energy efficiency programme ‘Energy savings plan for existing buildings’ (EBB 1977–84). The purpose of this paper is to assess the long-term impact of the EBB on an urban district in Gävle, Sweden. The district comprises 69 single- and multi-family detached houses built between the 1920’s and 1950’s. Using archival sources and field studies we describe how the buildings have been modified and trace the role of the EBB on the district as a whole. The results show that despite that the EBB has had a major impact on the district, it is difficult to disentangle its role in relation to other factors. The study raises concerns over the common approach in policy making to draw distinct lines in the sand between heritage and non-heritage buildings.

Click here for the full verison, p. 193.

What’s behind the façade?

Concept for adaptive wall elements with switchable U- and g-value
VIII Int. Congress on Architectural Envelopes, June 20-22, 2018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
June 2018 - PDF 0.42MB
By: Nikolaus Nestle, Thibault Pflug, Christoph Maurer, Frank Prissok, Andreas Hafner, Frank Schneider

Abstract - This contribution will present a concept for (translucent) wall elements with switchable U- and g-values. The basic concept of the element consists of an insulation panel (preferably realized by a translucent and light-guiding foam grid or in the future by transparent vacuum glazing) which is arranged inside a glazed closed cavity so that thermally driven convection around the element can either be enabled or suppressed. Supression of convection is realized by a rollable second insulation inside the cavity which can reflect incident solar radiation: If the secondary insulation is fully retracted resulting in high U and g-value and daylight being guided inside the building. By successively rolling down the insulation, convection can be suppressed and the g-value can be varied from almost unchanged to almost zero. In the case of the secondary insulation being rolled fully down, the U-value of the element is also minimal. This state is favourable in a cold winter night or during hot daytime hours in summer. The high translucence, low-U-value case is favourable in conditions where solar gains and good insulation are favourable and the translucent high-U-value case is favourable for example in a summer night to cool the building (...).

Concept for adaptive wall elements with switchable U- and g-value

Low Temperature Solar Thermal System for Building Envelope Integration
VIII Int. Congress on Architectural Envelopes, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, June 20-22, 2018
June 2018 - PDF 0.53MB
By: Marina Palacios, Roberto Garay, Ignacio Gomis, Paul Bonnamy, Saed Raji, Koldobika Martin

Abstract - In this article it is presented an innovative façade system with a solar thermal system. The developed solar system can be classified as modular unglazed collector, designed for low temperature energy capture. It is compatible with a solar combined system that integrates a solar heat pump. The external appearance of the building remains untouched thanks to this innovative system. Experimental works at façade collector level are presented. The integration of the unglazed collector in a heat pump based combined solar system, its performance levels and economic figures are presented.

Low Temperature Solar Thermal System for Building Envelope Integration

Simulation-based performance prediction of an energy-harvesting façade system with selective daylight transmission
VIII Int. Congress on Architectural Envelopes, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, June 20-22, 2018
June 2018 - PDF 0.6MB
By: Saini, H., Loonen, R.C.G.M., Hensen, J.L.M.

Abstract - Shading devices are effective in controlling glare and solar heat gains in buildings. However, this occurs at the expense of daylight and outside view. This paper evaluates the thermal and daylight performance of Lumiduct, a sun-controlling dynamic façade system that permits only diffuse radiation inside the building, while producing electricity. This imparts Lumiduct a unique characteristic of acting as a shading device while providing useful daylight and view to the outside. The first part of the paper briefly illustrates the working principle of Lumiduct and its functional characteristics and then, introduces the basic principles of the modelling and simulation strategy used to predict its performance. (...) The results show a significantly higher daylight utilization along with a reduction in glare and energy use for heating and cooling the building.

Simulation-based performance prediction of an energy-harvesting façade system with selective daylight transmission

Fassadengekoppelte Energieversorgungskonzepte für die Sanierung
February 2018 - PDF 0.32MB
By: D. Jähnig, C. Fink, T. Ramschak, D. Venus, K. Höfler

Abstract  - Im Rahmen des von 2014 bis 2017 laufenden Projektes „Vorgefertigte Fassadenelemente mit maximal integrierten HVAC-Komponenten und -systemen zur Bestandssanierung“ wurden neue Lösungsansätze für intelligente Bestandssanierung aufgezeigt bzw. entwickelt, wobei es unter anderem um die Synergieeffekte für die Modernisierung der Gebäudehülle und der Gebäudetechnik bei konsequenter Nutzung erneuerbarer Energieträger ging. Erklärtes Ziel dabei war die Erreichung eines hohen Vorfertigungsgrades in Verbindung mit Holz- Vorhangfassaden und damit kurze Sanierungszeiten mit geringsten Belastungen der Bewohner, reduzierte Abhängigkeiten von der Witterung im Sanierungsprozess sowie eine gesichert hohe Ausführungsqualität. Entsprechende Energieversorgungskonzepte stellen die auf die Fassade auftreffende Solarenergie effizient dem Gebäude zur Verfügung.

Fassadengekoppelte Energieversorgungskonzepte für die Sanierung

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?
Heat Decarbonization - What Role can Solar Thermal Play?

Is Solar Thermal a Viable Solution for a Future Renewable Energy System?
December 2017 - PDF 0.13MB
Solar thermal integration might in some situations be counter-beneficial for a renewable transition, especially when considering an energy system supplied by high shares of renewable energy. This is one of the conclusions from a study performed by Aalborg University as part of SHC Task 52 on Solar Heat and Energy Economics in Urban Environments. This conclusion was reached by performing a series of energy system analyses under various conditions of four national energy systems in Germany, Austria, Italy and Denmark. The solar thermal potentials were identified for each country today and in a future energy system converted to 100% renewable sources in the heating and electricity sectors. However, mixed results were found regarding the impacts on economy, environment and energy consumption when installing these solar thermal potentials.
Is Solar Thermal a Viable Solution for a Future Renewable Energy System?

Large Scale Solar Installations – The Actors & Activities
December 2017 - PDF 0.22MB
Industry and researchers are collaborating to assess how best to integrate large scale solar thermal installations in combination with hybrid technologies into district heating and cooling networks. Besides the international scope of this work, what also makes it unique is that the IEA SHC Programme has teamed up with the IEA District Heating and Cooling Programme to ensure that the right stakeholders are involved.
Large Scale Solar Installations – The Actors & Activities

Solar Energy in Urban Planning: Interview with Maria Wall
December 2017 - PDF 0.25MB
The IEA SHC Programme is finishing its work on Solar Energy in Urban Planning (Task 51). To learn first hand about the impact Task 51 has had in this field, we asked Maria Wall, the Task Operating Agent, a few questions as a teaser before next year’s wrap-up article on the Task’s results.
Solar Energy in Urban Planning: Interview with Maria Wall

IEA SHC Task 54: Solar Thermal Cost Reductions
November 2017
By: Eva Augsten
Publisher: Solarthermalworld.org

The objective of IEA SHC Task 54 is to reduce the purchase price of solar thermal systems by up to 40 % across the entire value chain. To achieve this, the project partners have been evaluating technical and non-technical cost-saving potential, with low-cost materials, such as polymers, and production technologies bound to play an important role. At an early October workshop in Linz, Austria, about 50 project partners and guests discussed cost reductions made possible by new distribution channels, digital solutions and systems thinking approaches.


Switchable Windows - Spectral Transmission and Switching Times
ISES Solar World Conference and Solar Heating Conference. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), 29.10.-02.11.2017
November 2017 - PDF 0.95MB
By: Lemarchand, P., McLean, E., Norton, B.

Abstract - The switching time and spectral transmission in fully clear and fully opaque states of polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC), suspended particle device (SPD) and electrochromic (EC) switchable windows were evaluated to assess their suitability to control solar heat transmission though glazed façade and comfort to building occupants. The transmission measurement on a SPD film showed a very effective absorption modulation in the visible range but fast decrease in the near infrared region. The switching speed was demonstrated to be related strongly to wavelengths. A SPD film with a larger absorption and faster switching speed in the infrared region was shown to be preferable to control solar heat transfer through glazings and thermal comfort. The PDLC window did not modulate transmission but rather modulated scattering. In the opaque state, the PDLC window was highly scattering resulting in spectral transmission varying at short distances from the window while being constant in the far field ... [read full Abstract and Paper]

Switchable Windows - Spectral Transmission and Switching Times

Performance assessment of an unglazed solar thermal collector for envelope retrofitting
Alternative and Renewable Energy Quest, AREQ 2017
February 2017
By: Roberto Garay Martinez, Beñat Arregi Goikolea, Ignacio Gomis Paya, Paul Bonnamy, Saed Raji, Jerôme Lopez

Abstract - Present trends on solar thermal systems for building integration define the need of integrated solar technologies for façades. Although other possibilities exist for solar thermal systems in new buildings, solutions for a suitable integration of solar thermal systems into building retrofitting actuations are needed. This paper presents a solar thermal collector system which hybridizes already existing ventilated façade cladding systems into a low temperature solar thermal collector. Numerical and experimental data is presented. Access full paper on Research Gate

Performance assessment of an unglazed solar thermal collector for envelope retrofitting

Performance assessment of façade integrated glazed air solar thermal collectors
International Conference – Alternative and Renewable Energy Quest, AREQ 2017, 1-3 February 2017, Spain
February 2017
By: Roberto Garay Martineza, Julen Astudillo Larraza

Abstract - Present trends on solar thermal systems for building integration define the need of integrated solar technologies for façades. The integration of solar systems in façades allows for the direct connection of solar systems to heated spaces, and automated air solar collectors based on the trombe-mitchell provide a suitable technology for its adoption in multi-rise buildings with decentralized-individual HVAC systems in Central-European and Mediterranean heating dominated climates. This paper reviews the main principles of such building envelope components, and the construction and design considerations of two air-based solar thermal collectors. Full scale preliminary prototypes of these systems were tested at the KUBIK by Tecnalia test facility in an Oceanic Climate (Koppen Geiger Cfb zone). The observed thermal performance is analyzed, and the process of a full scale installation in a real building envelope retrofitting process of a building in Spain is reviewed. Access full paper on Research Gate

Performance assessment of façade integrated glazed air solar thermal collectors

Advanced Lighting Solutions for Retrofitting Buildings
Interview with Jan de Boer
December 2016 - PDF 0.14MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC
The IEA SHC Programme wrapped up its work on Advanced Lighting Solutions for Retrofitting Buildings (Task 50) this year, and is developing a new Task on the topic of Integrated Solutions for Daylight and Electric Lighting: From Component to User Centered System Efficiency. To learn first hand about the impact Task 50 has had in this field, we asked Jan de Boer, the Task Operating Agent, a few questions.
Advanced Lighting Solutions for Retrofitting Buildings

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.
Canadian Solar Community Hits 100% Solar Heating

European SDH Projects – The Next BIG Solar Step
December 2016 - PDF 0.14MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
A team of experts from the city of Graz, Austria, has decided to take a lead in the analysis and evaluation of a major proposed local Solar District Heating (SDH) project to determine if it is technically feasible, is feasible within realistic costs, and if it will even be a profitable business opportunity.
European SDH Projects – The Next BIG Solar Step

Improving Lighting Retrofits
December 2016 - PDF 0.66MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
The recent IEA SHC Task on lighting set out to accelerate retrofitting of daylighting and electric lighting solutions in the non-domestic sector using cost effective, best practice approaches that could be used on a wide range of typical existing buildings.
Improving Lighting Retrofits

Industry and Research Join Forces on Reliability Testing of Collectors and Materials
December 2016 - PDF 0.13MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Publisher: IEA SHC

Solar thermal collectors and their components are commonly exposed to a wide range of climatic influences. Next to UV radiation, factors like humidity, wind, extremely high or low temperatures, salt, sand and other particles in the atmosphere affect the surfaces and performance of these products. Although these influences are decisive factors for the lifetime and long-term efficiency of solar thermal collectors, there are no validated or binding test procedures for reliability assessment over time or models that allow a location-specific service life prediction.

Industry and Research Join Forces on Reliability Testing of Collectors and Materials

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.
Slovakia Joins IEA SHC!

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.
Solar Thermal in Qatar Today and Tomorrow

Nordic Built - Active Roofs and Facades and Living in Light urban renewal in Valby, Copenhagen
Task 56 session at 12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, 02.-03.10.2016 - website: abs.green
October 2016 - PDF 0.56MB
By: Peter Veisig, Cenergia, Denmark

Abstract - In the on-going Nordic Built Living in Light project, coordinated by Kuben Management, a new concept of urban renewal will be tested at Gl. Jernbanevej in Valby in Copenhagen. Here a 4 storey old housing block from around year 1900 will have new roof top apartments together with an approx. 2 m extension of the housing block towards the courtyard. The extension mainly consists of an innovative window structure from the Danish window company Velfac, and it increases the daylight quality of the apartments considerably without compromising comfort and energy use. At the same time building integrated PV solutions secures an overall CO2 neutral design for the renovation project.

Nordic Built - Active Roofs and Facades and Living in Light urban renewal in Valby, Copenhagen

Prefabricated timber-frame envelopes for building retrofit with integrated ventilation, heating system & building services
Task 56 session at 12th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern, Switzerland, 02.-03.10.2016 - website: abs.green
October 2016 - PDF 1.2MB
By: Sebastian Hernandez, Gumpp & Maier, Germany; Fabian Ochs, University of Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract - The objective of the EC-funded project iNSPiRe is to reduce the problem of high-energy consumption of existing buildings by producing systemic renovation packages that can be applied to residential and tertiary buildings. The renovation packages aim to reduce the 2 primary energy consumption of a building to lower than 50 kWh/(m a) for ventilation, heating/cooling, domestic hot water and lighting. These renovation packages need to be suitable for various climates in Europe while ensuring optimum comfort for the building users. One major goal of iNSPiRe is the development of multi-functional renovation kits that make use of innovative envelope technologies, energy generation systems (including RES integration) and energy distribution systems [...]

Prefabricated timber-frame envelopes for building retrofit with integrated ventilation, heating system & building services

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.
2016 Solar Thermal Trends

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.
ISES Joins IEA SHC!

Solar Rating & Certification
Interview with Jan Erik Nielsen
May 2016 - PDF 0.12MB
By: Pam Murphy

The IEA SHC Programme wrapped up its work on Solar Rating & Certification (Task 43) in 2015, and in 2016 started a new Task on Solar Standards and Certification (Task 57). To get a better understanding of the impact of Task 43, we asked Jan Erik Nielsen, the Operating Agent, a few questions.

Solar Rating & Certification

Task 42: Compact Thermal Energy Storage
Collaboration Leads to Groundbreaking Work
May 2016 - PDF 0.68MB
By: Matthias Rommel
For the first time international teams of materials experts and application experts collaborated to tackle together issues confronting thermal energy storage. This one of a kind research platform was created jointly by the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) and the IEA Energy Conservation through Energy Storage Programme (IEA ECES).
Task 42: Compact Thermal Energy Storage

Task 49: Solar Heat in Industrial Processes
Interview with Christoph Brunner
May 2016 - PDF 0.14MB
By: Pam Murphy
Solar Update (SU): Why was this project needed? Christoph Brunner (CB): SHC Task 49/SolarPACES Annes IV: Solar Heat Integration in Industrial Processes was initiated to foster market penetration of this rather young technology that has large worldwide potential.
Task 49: Solar Heat in Industrial Processes

Task 53: The Future of Solar Cooling
May 2016 - PDF 0.35MB
By: Daniel Mugnier
The increasing demand for refrigeration and air conditioning has led to a dramatic increase in peak electricity demand in many countries. With the increase in demand comes the increase in the cost of electricity and summer brownouts, which have been attributed to the large number of conventional air conditioning systems running on electricity. As the number of traditional vapor compression cooling machines grows (more than 100 million units sold in 2014) so do greenhouse gas emissions, both from direct leakage of high GWP refrigerant, such as HFCs, and from indirect emissions related to fossil fuel derived electricity consumption. An obvious counter to this trend is to use the same energy for generation of cooling that contributes to creating the cooling demand—solar energy.
Task 53: The Future of Solar Cooling

Sustainable church heating: The Basilica di Collemaggio case-study
March 2016
By: Niccolò Aste, Stefano Della Torre, Rajendra S. Adhikari, Michela Buzzetti, Claudio Del Pero, Fabrizio Leonforte, Massimiliano Manfren

Historic building heating and, in particular, church heating represents a challenging task because many objectives have to be reached simultaneously; in facts, adequate thermal comfort levels have to be guaranteed for the occupants while ensuring an optimal internal climate suitable for the preservation of valuable and often fragile building components and artworks. Moreover, current requirements for sustainability impose to make efforts, where possible, to minimize the amount of energy needed and the consequent environmental impact. For such reasons, the present work addresses in detail the church heating topic, by analysing different feasible strategies and developing subsequently an original technology, able to combine energy efficiency and cultural heritage preservation aspects.

Sustainable church heating: The Basilica di Collemaggio case-study

Novel solar thermal collector systems in polymer design – Part 3: aging behavior of PP absorber materials
2016 - PDF 0.43MB
By: Markus Povacz, Gernot M. Wallner, Michael K. Grabmann*, Susanne Beißmann, Klemens Grabmayer, Wolfgang Buchberger, Reinhold W. Lang
Publisher: Energy Procedia, Elsevier
A novel, accelerated aging test method was used to characterize the long-term stability of commercial black-pigmented polypropylene (PP) model materials for solar thermal absorbers at elevated temperatures. The PP model materials investigated, PP-B1 and PP-B2, are based on carbon black pigmented PP block copolymer grades. Using an automatized planning technique, sliced 100 µm thick specimens were prepared, aged in hot air and heat carrier fluid (mixture of 60 vol.-% deionized water and 40 vol.-% commercial propylene glycol) at 95°C, 115°C and 135°C for up to 15,000 hours, and characterized in terms of various aging indicators (i.e., remaining primary stabilizer content, oxidation temperature, carbonyl index and ultimate mechanical properties). In general two major trends were discerned. First, the aging processes of the PP compounds depend on the stabilizer system, but even more heavily on the interaction of the stabilizers with the carbon black pigments and the structure and morphology of the polymer. Although the compound PP-B2 exhibited much faster stabilizer loss and an associated drop in oxidation temperature than PP-B1, mechanical investigations proved a better long-term stability for PP-B2. Second, it was shown for the compounds investigated that exposure to hot air causes harsher aging than exposure to hot heat carrier fluid. This is, presumably related to the reduced quantity of dissolved oxygen and triazole-based corrosion inhibitors used in the heat carrier fluid. While PP-B1 is use for absorbers in unglazed collectors and overheating-protected glazed collectors, the investigations clearly revealed that PP-B2 is a promising alternative.
Novel solar thermal collector systems in polymer design – Part 3: aging behavior of PP absorber materials

Novel solar thermal collector systems in polymer design – Part 5: Fatigue characterization of engineering PA grades for pressurized integrated storage collectors
2016 - PDF 0.94MB
By: Joerg Fischer*, Patrick R. Bradler, Mathias Schlaeger, Gernot M. Wallner, Reinhold W. Lang
Publisher: Energy Procedia, Elsevier
A novel aging test method considering the superimposed mechanical and environmental (temperature and environmental medium) loads representative for pressurized integrated storage collectors (ICS) is described. Engineering polyamide (PA) grades with short glass fiber (GF) reinforcement, which are of high relevance for endcaps of steel-pipe ICS absorbers or all-polymeric absorber/storage-tanks, are characterized on a specimen level. Therefore, specific test devices and test arrangements for fracture mechanics specimens with or without weld-line are implemented on an electro-dynamic test machine. Fatigue crack growth kinetics data are obtained by conducting cyclic mechanical loads under various environmental testing conditions. The experimental results of two glass-fiber reinforced PA grades, using compact type specimens, performed at two different temperatures (23 °C and 80 °C) and in two environmental media (air and water), are compared in terms of crack growth kinetics. Moreover, the influence of welding on the crack growth kinetics for one PA grade is shown. For all specimens (unwelded and welded) the fatigue crack growth rates are enhanced in water compared to air. In welded specimens the fatigue crack growth resistance is significantly reduced compared to unwelded specimens.
Novel solar thermal collector systems in polymer design – Part 5: Fatigue characterization of engineering PA grades for pressurized integrated storage collectors

Polymeric materials in solar-thermal systems - performance requirements and loads
2016 - PDF 1.91MB
By: Thomas Ramschak, Robert Hausner, Christian Fink
Publisher: Energy Procedia, Elsevier
A major basic problem in selecting appropriate polymeric materials and processing technology routes is related to the lack of well-defined functional and performance requirements on the component level and to material property requirements on the specimen level. Hence, in a first step several reference climate regions were defined for pumped systems (continental (Graz/Austria), moderate climate (Beijing/China)) and non-pumped systems (Mediterranean (Athens/Greece), hot and dry (Pretoria/South Africa), hot and humid (Fortaleza/Brazil)), respectively. For each of these reference regions various solar-thermal plant types (e.g., domestic hotwater systems for single family houses (pumped and thermosiphon); domestic hot-water systems for multi-family houses; solar combi-systems for domestic hot-water and space heating (pumped) were pre-defined and evaluated and optimized virtually by modelling and simulation. To determine performance requirements on the component level and to derive material property requirements on the specimen level all-purpose modelling and design tools for collectors were implemented and used which allow for the description of temperature profiles, stagnation conditions, efficiency curves, pressure losses, distribution of fluid and heat flow and the thermal and hydraulic optimisation of the whole collector.
Polymeric materials in solar-thermal systems - performance requirements and loads

Lifetime modeling of polypropylene absorber materials for overheating protected hot water collectors
January 2016 - PDF 0.48MB
By: G.M. Wallner, M. Povacz, R. Hausner, R.W. Lang
Publisher: Solar Energy, Elsevier

For the utilization of polymeric materials in high-demanding applications like solar thermal systems it is of utmost importance to define the performance requirements and to investigate the applicability of components for defined systems under service relevant conditions. This paper deals with the lifetime estimation of black-pigmented polypropylene (PP) absorber grades for overheating protected solar thermal collector systems for hot water preparation in five representative climate zones. Based on experimental aging data in hot air and heat carrier fluid at elevated temperatures (95 °C, 115 °C and 135 °C) and climatic input data, as well as deduced loading conditions and absorber temperature distributions, the lifetime was calculated using a theoretical and an empirical extrapolation approach and assuming cumulating damages in service relevant temperature intervals. Depending on the PP grade, the extrapolation method and the location, endurance limits ranging from 8 to 50 years were obtained. The PP grade with ß-spherulithic structures and less carbon black exhibited a superior performance (factor 2) compared to a well-established grade which is currently widely used for swimming pool absorbers.

Lifetime modeling of polypropylene absorber materials for overheating protected hot water collectors

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.
A Fundamental Look At Supply Side Energy Reserves For The Planet

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.
Country Highlight: Spain - A Sunny Paradise Truncated by a Financial Crisis: The Building Code Experience

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.
Solar Thermal = Savings of Over 118 Million Tons of CO2 Annually

Task 46: Best Practices: Solar Irradiance Measurements with Rotating Shadowband Irradiometers (Summary from SHC Newsletter)
November 2015 - PDF 0.16MB
By: S. Wilbert, N. Geuder, M. Schwandt, B. Kraas, W. Jessen, R. Meyer, B. Nouri
Publisher: IEA SHC
Large-scale solar thermal projects, such as those producing industrial process heat for mining areas in Chile or district heating in Denmark, require diligent solar resource assessments. Unfortunately, high accuracy irradiance data are scarcely available in many regions, which are attractive for solar energy applications. This holds especially true for solar thermal technologies using concentrating collectors to produce high temperatures. For these systems, the focus of the resource assessment lies on direct normal, or beam irradiance (DNI). Satellite data can only be used in combination with ground data to estimate inter-annual variability and longterm mean values. Hence, new ground measurements have to be collected for projects using concentrating collectors, such as high temperature process heat or district heating systems. Read Full Report: http://task46.iea-shc.org/data/sites/1/publications/INSRSI_IEA-Task46B1_BestPractices-RSI_150819.pdf
Task 46: Best Practices: Solar Irradiance Measurements with Rotating Shadowband Irradiometers (Summary from SHC Newsletter)

Task 53: Solar Cooling 2.0 A New Generation Is Growing Up
November 2015 - PDF 0.17MB
By: Riccardo Battisti, Ambiente Italia
Publisher: IEA SHC
The September workshop on New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems focused on the status of solar cooling technology research and market developments. About 40 professionals gathered in Rome for this half day event, which was organized by IEA SHC Task 53: New Generation Solar Cooling & Heating Systems and the German Eastbavarian Institute for Technology Transfer, OTTI e.V. the day before OTTI’s 6th International Conference on Solar Air-Conditioning. Participants learned first hand about the first outcomes of SHC Task 53 that began its collaborative work in March 2014 and includes the participation of ten countries from across the globe.
Task 53: Solar Cooling 2.0 A New Generation Is Growing Up

Task 54: Price Reduction of Solar Thermal Systems
November 2015 - PDF 0.11MB
By: Michael Köhl, ISE Fraunhofer
Publisher: IEA SHC

Driving down the costs of solar thermal systems is not just about cheaper collector production. In fact, post-production processes, such as sales, installation and maintenance account for up to 50% of the price that end consumers pay. This new IEA SHC Task, Price Reduction of Solar Thermal Systems, will investigate these other factors and find ways to reduce systems costs. The Task’s kick-off meeting was hosted by Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, Germany the end of October. Researchers and industry representatives from all over the world participated.

Task 54: Price Reduction of Solar Thermal Systems

Case Study: Twin wall sheet testing
IEA-SHC Task 39 INFO Sheet C7.4
May 2015 - PDF 0.38MB
By: Andreas Piekarczyk, Alyin Durson
When using polymeric materials for solar thermal flat plate collectors, one distinct difference in physical properties compels us to reinvent the absorber design. Due to the low thermal conductivity of polymeric materials, the absorber, in order to prevent local overheating and to increase the collectors’ efficiency, needs water contact throughout the whole surface. In general only few absorber designs fulfill this requirement, e.g. thin plastic film absorbers, tube absorbers or twin wall sheets. The latter two are in the focus of recent development due to mechanical stability and economic efficiency. In order to investigate changes in the mechanical properties of the used materials as closely to the product as possible suitable mechanical testing methods need to be applied. For pipes, methods to test different mechanical loads already exist, but for twin wall sheets none of these can be applied.
Case Study: Twin wall sheet testing

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.
Country Highlight: Netherlands High Energy in a Low Country

Task 40: What Market Adoption of NetZEBs Need
May 2015 - PDF 0.08MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
To mainstream market adoption of NetZEBs, what is needed is a wide consensus on clear definitions and agreement on the measures of building performance that could inform “zero energy” building policies, programs and industry building practices, as well as design tools, case studies and demonstrations that would support industry adoption.
Task 40: What Market Adoption of NetZEBs Need

Task 49: Guidelines Developed for Process Heat Integration
May 2015 - PDF 0.42MB
Editor: Pamela Murphy
Solar planners, energy consultants and process engineers now have access to a general procedure to identify and rank suitable integration points and solar thermal system concepts when integrating solar heat into industrial processes. The guidelines were developed within SHC Task 49: Solar Heat Integration in Industrial Processes.
Task 49: Guidelines Developed for Process Heat Integration

Task 50: Bypassing Barriers to Lighting Retrofit: Is Solid State Lighting Already Changing the Game?
May 2015 - PDF 0.24MB
By: Marc Fontoynont
In comparison with a lighting solution using fluorescent sources, Solid State Lighting (LED) comes with different technical, operational (maintenance) and economical parameters. Work within IEA SHC Task 50: Advanced Lighting Solutions for Retrofitting Buildings studied the impact of these fast changing parameters on lighting retrofits – intending to give sound advice to decision makers.
Task 50: Bypassing Barriers to Lighting Retrofit: Is Solid State Lighting Already Changing the Game?

Task47: Non-Residential Building Renovation – The Potential, Opportunities and Barriers
May 2015 - PDF 0.85MB
By: Fritjof Salvesen
A 50 - 90% reduction in heat consumption and a 50 - 70% reduction in overall energy demand are possible when renovating a building. Twenty exemplary renovation projects highlighted in SHC Task 47: Solar Renovation of Nonresidential demonstrate how this can be achieved. Two buildings of these buildings achieved the plus-energy standard and one of them received the highest possible BREEAM score of “Outstanding.” And, all these buildings used commercially available products and systems.
Task47: Non-Residential Building Renovation – The Potential, Opportunities and Barriers

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.
Turkey: Solar Era Is Just Beginning

Development of an energy evaluation methodology to make multiplepredictions of the HVAC&R system energy demand for office buildings
May 2014 - PDF 4.88MB
By: Jinkyun Choa, Seungho Shina, Jonghurn Kimb, Hiki Hong
HVAC&R systems are the most energy consuming building services, representing approximately half of the final energy use in the building sector. Despite their significant energy use, there is a lack of a consistent and homogeneous framework to efficiently guide research, mainly due to the complexity and variety of HVAC&R systems, but also to insufficient rigor in their energy analysis. Quantifying the energy consumption characteristics of HVAC&R system is complicated, because the energy savings provided by this system depend on various factors. This research evaluates energy consumption characteristics of HVAC&R systems, with the aim of establishing a common idea for the analysis of building energy efficiency. The objective of this study is to develop an energy evaluation methodology and a simple simulation program that may be used by engineers and designers to assess the effectiveness and economic benefits of HVAC&R systems. Our approach deals with the concept of HVAC&R system energy use aggregation levels that are composed of subsystems. To carry out a techno-economical estimation of HVAC&R systems considering different types of subsystems, the matrix combination analyzed, and a total of 960 HVAC&R systems can be implemented for a large-scale office building. The methodology of energy analysis that was carried out in this study highlights how to plan and design toward utilizing the most effective HVAC&R systems.
Development of an energy evaluation methodology to make multiplepredictions of the HVAC&R system energy demand for office buildings

Simulation of a solar collector array consisting of two types of solar collectors, with and without convection barrier
2014 - PDF 0.54MB
By: Federico Bava*, Simon Furbo, Bengt Perers
Publisher: Energy Procedia, Elsevier
The installed area of solar collectors in solar heating fields is rapidly increasing in Denmark. In this scenario even relatively small performance improvements may lead to a large increase in the overall energy production. Both collectors with and without polymer foil, functioning as convection barrier, can be found on the Danish market. Depending on the temperature level at which the two types of collectors operate, one can perform better than the other. This project aimed to study the behavior of a 14 solar collector row made of these two different kinds of collectors, in order to optimize the composition of the row. Actual solar collectors available on the Danish market (models HT-SA and HT-A 35-10 manufactured by ARCON Solar A/S) were used for this analysis. To perform the study, a simulation model in TRNSYS was developed based on the Danish solar collector field in Braedstrup. A parametric analysis was carried out by modifying the composition of the row, in order to find both the energy and economy optimum. © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review by the scientific conference committee of SHC 2014 under responsibility of PSE AG.
Simulation of a solar collector array consisting of two types of solar collectors, with and without convection barrier

Fulfillment of net-zero energy building (NZEB) with four metrics in a single family house with different heating alternatives
September 2013 - PDF 2.13MB
By: Ayman Mohamed, Ala Hasan, Kai Sirén
This study aims to investigate the fulfillment of four Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) balances, NZEB-PE, NZEB-site, NZEB-emission and NZEB-cost, considering the four metrics of primary energy (PE), site energy, CO2-eqemissions and energy cost, respectively, using weighting factors based on Finnish and international reference data. The study analyzes five conventional energy systems and seven biomassbased standalone and shared combined heat and power (CHP) systems. These systems are connected to a single family house located in Helsinki, Finland, with two energy efficiency levels: a standard house and a passive house, simulated by Trnsys software. The annual balance of the import and export of the operational thermal and electrical energies is applied. The simulated results indicate that the NZEB-emission, NZEB-PE, NZEB-cost, and NZEB-site are arranged in that order according to the ease of fulfilling the annual balance. Making the house high in thermal energy efficiency (or adding solar thermal collectors) for all the studied systems is a step towards achieving NZEB-PE, NZEB-cost, and NZEB-site. On the contrary, achieving the NZEB-emission by the shared CHPs connected to the standard house is easier than the passive house. The NZEB balance is more attainable by the shared CHPs than the standalone CHPs. The NZEB-PE is easier to achieve using the international factors than using the Finnish PE factors.
Fulfillment of net-zero energy building (NZEB) with four metrics in a single family house with different heating alternatives

Development of an integrated solar-fossil powered steam generation system for industrial applications
January 2013
By: Bernd Hafner, Olaf Stoppok, Christian Zahler, Michael Berger, Klaus Hennecke, Dirk Krüger
Publisher: Elsevier, Energy Procedia

Solar Steam Cooking Made Possible in the Treacherous regions on Ladakh
January 2013
By: Thermax Solar
Publisher: EQ International April 2013 Issue, Page 57

Solar Thermal Marking New Frontiers
January 2013
By: Thermax Solar
Publisher: EQ International March 2013 Issue, Page 61

Nearly-zero, Net zero and Plus Energy Buildings – How definitions & regulations affect the solutions
December 2012 - PDF 0.39MB
By: Karsten Voss, Igor Sartori, Roberto Lollini
The topic of Zero Energy Buildings (ZEBs) has received increasing attention in recent years, up to inclusion in strategic energy policy papers in several countries. However, despite the emphasis placed on the goals, the various ZEB definitions applied mostly remain generic and are not yet standardised.
Nearly-zero, Net zero and Plus Energy Buildings – How definitions & regulations affect the solutions

Photovoltaics and Zero Energy Buildings: A New Opportunity and Challenge for Design
October 2012 - PDF 1.21MB
By: Alessandra Scognamiglio and Harald N. Røstvik

Starting from the end of 2020, all new buildings will have to be Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (Nearly ZEBs—ED 2010/31/EU recast). This new ‘energy paradigm’ might be a revolution for architecture and for Photovoltaics (PV) too, but there are both cultural and technical obstacles to overcome. There is a need to re-think the way buildings are designed (integrating renewables for being ZE). There is a need to re-think the way PV is designed in buildings. PV will be gaining an increasing relevance in the ZEBs design, thanks to its features and potentialities (suitability for any kind of energy demand of the building, easiness of building integration, cost). In a ZEB scenario, PV is very suitable for generating energy, ‘on site’ and ‘at site’; this enlarges the perspective of use of PV from the architectural scale to a wider scale, including the space close to the building or even to the urban and landscape scale. In such a new context, the existing research on the relationships between PV and architecture, focusing mainly on the way the PV components are used in relation to the envelope (Building-integrated PV/Building-added (Attached) PV), is no longer sufficient. The authors envision possible formal results, opportunities and challenges, for the use of PV in ZEBs, as well as new research issues for the future relationships between PV and ZEBs from the architecture and landscape design point of view. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Photovoltaics and Zero Energy Buildings: A New Opportunity and Challenge for Design

Net zero energy buildings: A consistent definition framework
February 2012 - PDF 0.68MB
By: Igor Sartori, Assunta Napolitano, Karsten Voss
The term Net ZEB, Net Zero Energy Building, indicates a building connected to the energy grids. It is recognized that the sole satisfaction of an annual balance is not sufficient to fully characterize Net ZEBs and the interaction between buildings and energy grids need to be addressed. It is also recognized that different definitions are possible, in accordance with a country’s political targets and specific conditions. This paper presents a consistent framework for setting Net ZEB definitions. Evaluation of the criteria in the definition framework and selection of the related options becomes a methodology to set Net ZEB definitions in a systematic way. The balance concept is central in the definition framework and two major types of balance are identified, namely the import/export balance and the load/generation balance. As compromise between the two a simplified monthly net balance is also described. Concerning the temporal energy match, two major characteristics are described to reflect a Net ZEB’s ability to match its own load by on-site generation and to work beneficially with respect to the needs of the local grids. Possible indicators are presented and the concept of grid interaction flexibility is introduced as a desirable target in the building energy design.
Net zero energy buildings: A consistent definition framework

Europe Asia Solar Cooling Gains Traction
January 2012
By: Bärbel Epp
Editor: Solarthermalworld
Publisher: Solarthermalworld
Large Japanese and Chinese companies have recently taken a greater interest in solar cooling. The photo shows an installation by Chinese company Jiangsu Huineng New Energy Technology (Huin), which started supplying solar cooling systems this year. New system kits help drive down costs, although investments in sorption chillers are still higher than for compression chillers. After the Intersolar Europe conference in Munich, Germany, and its dedicated solar cooling session, Uli Jakob, Vice President of the German sorption chiller association Green Chiller, noted: “Solar cooling was one of the highlights of the conference.”

Keeping Cool with the Sun
Latest Developments on Solar Cooling and Task 48 Short Presentation
January 2012 - PDF 1.36MB
By: Daniel Mugnier (TECSOL) & Uli Jakob (SOLEM Consulting)
Publisher: International Sustainable Energy Review
Worldwide, the energy consumption required for cold and air conditioning is rising rapidly. Usual electrically driven compressor chillers (split units) have maximum energy consumption in peak-load periods during the summer. In the last few years in Southern Europe this has regularly led to grids working to maximum capacity and blackouts. In recent years, the sales figures of split units with a cooling capacity range of up to 5KW have risen rapidly. www.internationalsustainableenergy.com
Keeping Cool with the Sun

Solar process heat for sustainable automobile manufacturing
January 2012
By: Oliver Iglauera, Christian Zahler
Publisher: Elsevier, Energy Procedia, Vol 30, Pages 775-782

IEA SHC Task 54 Investigating Cost Factors Along the Value Chain
By: Baerbel Epp
Publisher: Solarthermalworld.org

Researchers have worked intensively for one-and-a-half years across national borders to find ways of reducing the costs of solar thermal systems and making them more attractive to end users. The members of Task 54 of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme, Price Reduction of Solar Thermal Systems, have discussed the effects of standardised product designs or changes in product offerings on cost structures. They have also analysed the entire value chain from component manufacture to system assembly and installation to help identify cost-cutting potential. This is the first time that methods of Process Cost Analysis are being adapted for the solar thermal business.


Il Castello di Doragno. Restauro e sostenibilità energetica.
By: Maria Mazza and Stefano De Angelis Effrem

Il rispetto per gli edifici storici può portare a escludere a priori la possibilità di introdurvi nuove tecnologie per il risparmio energetico. Con l'intervento al Castello di Doragno, lo studio deltaZERO mirava a ripristinare «l’anima» dell'edificio dotandolo al contempo di tutte le tecnologie necessarie per garantire le odierne esigenze di comfort.

Il Castello di Doragno. Restauro e sostenibilità energetica.

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.
Interview with Jan Erik Nielsen: Solar Standards and Certification