The Soltherm Europe Initiative – SOLTHERM

The declared goal of this project (EU programme Altener) triggered off the greater use of solar thermal plants at European level as a basis for the attainment of the goals of the EU white paper (100 million m² of collector area in the year 2010).

A central internet platform was established at European level in co-operation with more than 50 institutions and a crucial participation of Austria (www.Soltherm.org). Apart from information on the European solar thermal network, this extensive data bank provides an overview of the auxiliary materials and tools available in Europe to implement solar thermal systems. The basic tools are available to download in at least two languages and range from detailed market analyses to campaign guidelines and guidelines on the quality assurance of solar thermal systems in European countries. On the basis of the extensive information and the Soltherm partnerships already established, over 20 new solar initiatives were developed within the 13 partner countries and in addition more than 30 ongoing activities were supported. It was in this way possible to implement around 100,000 m2 of solar collectors within the duration of the project and within Soltherm campaigns. Approximately 50,000 m² are initialised as a result of supporting activities. The best proof of the extremely successful outcome of the project is seen in the fact that the project was awarded the European prize for the Best Promotion in the field of renewable forms of energy by the European Commission (Campaign for Take-Off Award) in January 2004.

The project strategy in Austria mainly focused on starting and supporting initiatives to build up new market areas (multiple-storey buildings, sport centres, industry applications, etc.) and on the other hand on the improvement of the system quality standard.

Highlights from the Soltherm Austria activities are, in this respect, the establishment of a national network with more than 30 partners, active dissemination activities (Soltherm Austria Newsletter, more than 20 specialist articles, an event respectively the co-organisation of ten workshops and conferences, etc.), the initiation of training to become a “certified solar energy installer“ respectively a “certified solar energy planner“, the initialisation of solar initiatives for sports centres in Salzburg and Styria (over 900 m² collector area), more than 30 case studies with a result of over 2,000 m² of installed collector area, and much more.

The start of the “klima:aktiv” programme “solarwärme” can be named as one of the greatest successes of the national project activities. This was prepared within the framework of the Soltherm Europe Initiative. The starting signal for this extensive market stimulation programme (duration of four years, main focus on single-family homes, multiple-storey buildings and tourism) was sounded by the Federal Minister, Josef Pröll, in September 2004. Within the framework of all the national project activities, more than a quarter of a million people in Austria were reached directly which represents a good basis for the continuation of initiatives and the wide-spread implementation of solar thermal plants.