The Global Solar Thermal Energy Council (GSTEC)'s September newsletter describes Serbia's potential to develop its solar thermal energy industry, Lebanon's subsidy programme for solar water heaters (SWH), and Chinese and Japanese companies interest in in solar cooling.
October 2012: The Global Solar Thermal Energy Council’s (GSTEC) September newsletter features stories on the potential for solar thermal energy in Serbia, a national subsidy programme for solar water heaters (SWH) in Lebanon, and interest in solar cooling among Chinese and Japanese companies.
The report describes progress in installing SWH’s under Lebanon’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), which established an energy efficiency roadmap. As part of NEEAP, the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) has implemented a prequalification scheme for SWH manufacturers and suppliers that enables SWH companies to benefit from a national SWH subsidy programme. Over 55 companies have qualified, based on their company performance and eligibility of products used in installations.
In another piece, it notes that Serbia’s government has stated its intent to join the European Union, which the newsletter notes would mean that Serbia would have to align its energy policies with the European directive promoting renewable energies. Serbia’s climate is well suited for solar energy development although the use of solar energy is still limited, according to the newsletter, which suggests significant potential to develop Serbia’s solar thermal industry.
It goes on to talk about Chinese and Japanese companies’ increased interest in solar cooling and that they have begun offering solar cooling kits and systems as part of their product lines, the newsletter reports. It attributes a standardized design system as a key reason for reduced solar cooling costs, which have decreased 20% between 2009 and 2011. The newsletter notes that the higher costs of sorption chillers, compared to compression chillers, have held back the solar cooling market. The newsletter also includes a story on amendments to Italy’s tax deductions policies, including on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and on the potential for solar water heaters in India’s textile industry.
The GSTEC is a web portal for solar thermal professionals that is part of the Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative. This global initiative aims to accelerate the global commercialization and sustainable market transformation of SWH and is implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). It is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). [Publication: GSTEC September Newsletter] [UNEP initiative description]