European Solar Thermal Industry Federation

Challenges for Price Reduction of Solar Thermal Systems

Date: 30 Jun 2016
Category: Solar Heat News

Successful Task 54 Workshop in Brussels on 25 May 2016

The first IEA SHC Task 54 workshop was held in the framework of the ESTTP workshop "Solar Thermal Energy for Europe" (24-25 May 2016) in Brussels, Belgium. Jointly organized with the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation ESTIF, the event attracted solar thermal specialists from industry, research and politics who joined in lively discussions on the challenging goal of Task 54.

Unlike other projects dedicated to cost reduction, Task 54 seeks to purse savings potentials along the entire value chain. This includes cost-efficient innovations on material and component level, design studies and the introduction of standardized components. In addition, non-technical cost factors such as distribution channels, O&M and installation costs are investigated for different markets and climatic regions. This paves the way for completely new system developments and innovative business and distribution models.

As first step towards the envisaged price reduction of up to 40% for the end user, Task 54 defines reference systems for selected regions by simultaneously analysing current system costs and installation routines. These are approached by questionnaires which are currently distributed amongst Europe. The data collection on installation, for example, aims at making single working steps more transparent to facilitate them and support installers in their daily business. “Most solar thermal systems are offered in connection with complex installation sets and specific regulations for piping and connections which makes the installation effort more difficult than it has to be”, Dr. Michael Köhl, Operating Agent of Task 54 explains. “If we know the decisive factors for timely and costly installation, we can consider them in the design of new systems and components”, he describes only one of the many approaches pursued by Task 54’s international experts.

While all workshop participants agreed that all approaches are necessary to arrive at satisfactory results, there is still a long road ahead as pricing structures differ from country to country and system to system. How Task 54 can tackle the complex framework and revive the solar thermal market in Europe was discussed actively and will be part of the next experts meeting in early October 2016. 

If you'd like to learn more about the event and about Task 54 work items feel free to contact Task 54 and join the next experts meeting in Stuttgart, Germany.

More information: http://task54.iea-shc.org/      

Contact: sandrin.saile@ise.fraunhofer.de

 

Solar Thermal Markets
in Europe

Trends and Markets
Statistics 2015

Summary
(published November 2016)

 

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