Solar Heating and Cooling Research & Innovation Roadmap available for public consultation

BRUSSELS - Feb. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- Solar thermal industry stakeholders are given the opportunity to review the Solar Heating and Cooling Research & Innovation Roadmap developed by the experts of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC‑Platform).

The solar thermal technology panel of the RHC-Platform developed a Solar Heating and Cooling Research & Innovation Roadmap. This document, which is now available for public consultation until 28 February 2014, is an important tool for the implementation of the Solar Thermal Strategic Research Priorities, as well as the RHC-Platform Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.

This technology roadmap focuses on three main solar thermal solutions for important 2020 societal challenges, such as: industrial applications, retrofitting opportunities and the new-build sector, and the NZEBs (Nearly-Zero Energy Buildings). These solutions are provided by solar heat for industrial processes (SHIP), solar compact hybrid heating systems (SCOHYS) and the solar active house (SAH).

The version released for consultation incorporates contributions gleaned at a dedicated validation workshop, which took place on 22 January 2014 at the Renewable Energy House in Brussels. Solar thermal industry stakeholders are invited to contribute their expertise to improve this document; the deadline for feedback submissions is 28 February 2014. They are also invited to send formal support letters for the goals expressed in the roadmap.

“The solutions proposed in this roadmap will play an important role in the future competitiveness of the sector and will help to place solar thermal among the main renewable heating and cooling options in the market”,said Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, President of the RHC-Platform. “We invite the industry to formally support this roadmap. Their support is crucial for this document to gain strong recognition from national and European decision makers”, he added.

“The Solar Heating and Cooling Technology Roadmap highlights the challenges and goals for Solar Thermal technologies and research programmes for 2020 and beyond. In order meet these goals industry, research institutes and policy makers must work together to provide sustainable, secure, cost effective solar thermal technologies for today and the future. Kingspan Environmental fully endorse the roadmap and are proud to play a part in the solution”, said Dr Tommy Williamson, Product Development Director at Kingspan Environmental

Further information about this document and the consultation process can be found at www.rhc-platform.org.