Small Scale / Buildings Working Group
The Small Scale Working Group focuses on solar thermal systems for residential and tertiary buildings, including public buildings, hotels, and commercial centers. This segment, while currently the largest part of the solar thermal market, requires better positioning due to competition from other technologies. Key tasks include:
- Monitoring market data for the Small Scale market and ensuring timely release for effective communication and sector awareness.
- Influencing EU legislative processes to promote ST uptake in buildings, particularly under the EU Green Deal, including monitoring and reacting to formal adoption of Renewable Energy, Energy Performance of Buildings, and Energy Efficiency Directives.
- Providing input on positioning with other techs, advising on the general strategy of Solar Heat Europe, and assessing needs for data gathering or studies to promote synergies and energy efficiency cases for ST.
- Addressing the digitalisation of the sector.
- Advising on alliances and networks for optimal efficiency and ensuring information sharing with the PVT WG and other relevant networks.
- Advising on the positioning of thermal storage and defining new activities at the central level by SHE.
Large Scale (SHIP & SDH) Working Group
The Large Scale Working Group combines the former taskforces on Solar District Heating (SDH) and Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP), both experiencing significant growth in numbers and scale. Key tasks include:
- Advising on optimal sources and tools for Large-Scale market data, ensuring timely release for impactful communication and sector awareness. Collecting testimonials for best practices.
- Promoting ST technology awareness among potential end-users by identifying priority target audiences.
- Advocating for holistic combined solutions and subsidy schemes, exploring synergies with other RES heat sources and Concentrated Solar Thermal companies.
- Influencing EU legislative processes to support ST uptake in industry and district heating, including monitoring Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives.
- Discussing and assessing financial support needs for Large-Scale projects from EU and national funding, banking, and the private sector.
- Contributing guidance to main policy files and advising on alliances and networks for more impactful advocacy.
- Ensuring information sharing with relevant networks, promoting storage solutions, and assessing subsidy structures at EU and national levels.
PVT Working Group
The PVT Working Group at Solar Heat Europe is dedicated to enhancing awareness and positioning of PVT technology.
The WG’s key tasks include:
- Raising awareness on PVT technology, showcasing its potential and technical aspects.
- Advocating for increased recognition of PVT in research and innovation priorities.
- Identifying certification needs and addressing gaps, particularly through the Solar Keymark Network.
- Providing technical input for revising Ecodesign/Energy Labelling criteria to position PVT as a relevant technology for water heaters.
- Influencing EU legislative processes to promote the uptake of PVT in buildings, aligning with the EU Green Deal objectives.
- Collaborating with the Small Scale Working Group on positioning with other technologies, emphasizing synergies and energy efficiency.
- Advising on statistics/market data collection for PVT in Europe and facilitating information sharing within Solar Heat Europe.
- Identifying potential new members active in the PVT sector.
Communications Working Group
In the current policy context with the intense energy debate and calls for advancing the energy transition, the Solar Heat Europe Communication Working Group (WG) plays a pivotal role in positioning solar thermal technology.
The WG’s key tasks include:
- Advising on market data strategy.
- Refreshing brand identity and communication materials.
- Developing a new website.
- Guiding internal communication.
- Supporting events and stakeholder engagement.
- Assessing participation in B2C campaigns and industry events.
Through these efforts, we aim to increase the visibility and strengthen the position of solar thermal in the energy landscape.
Information for Members
If you are interested in joining this Working Group, please reach out to the Solar Heat Europe Secretariat!Join us