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| Solar energy in Germany back in a positive light  The German solar energy sector is showing signs of expansion with new growth expected for 2011. Along with great technological advancements, the political framework conditions for solar energy in Germany are seen as the most dependable in a worldwide comparison. That points towards new investments in the German market.Photovoltaics, solar thermal energy and solar cooling build the three main pillars of solar energy, and they can be easily combined with other technologies such as heat pumps or electric mobility. The German market offers stable framework conditions for integrating this technology into building and renovation projects. As an additional plus, German companies are already at the forefront of technological development in the sector, providing key components such as parabolic mirrors, collector tubes and steam turbines. In the area of solar cooling, the International Energy Agency is expecting an increase in demand and huge market potential. Due to climate change and increasing temperatures, the demand for air-conditioning in Europe will climb. Solar air-conditioners offer climate neutral solutions and help reduce the peak demand in the power grid. Researchers and engineers have been working for years on the development of machines that use heat for cooling applications. In the Canadian province of Ontario, a German-Canadian co-project began in November of 2010 that will supply the senior living center Oxford Gardens heat in winter and air-conditioning in summer with 162 solar collectors. The project is currently the larges solar operated heating and cooling system in Canada. In Germany, solar cooling is subsidized by the state. The Oxford Gardens project was initiated by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and the German Energy Agency (dena), and it is supported with German funding. The technology is not only being supported on the national level, but on the EU level as well. The guidelines for "Renewable Energies" that went into effect on May 1st should help spur the expansion of solar cooling. The 3rd International Symposium on Solar and Renewable Cooling will take place on February 10th, 2011 as part of the CEP CLEAN ENERGY & PASSIVEHOUSE in the Messe Stuttgart and discuss the topic in detail. The symposium will deal with the newest technological and economical developments in the area of solar thermal cooling and biomass. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Exhibition News :: home page |