The China Academy of Building Research (CABR), on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), officially joins the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC). China becomes the 21st member of the SHC Programme, which promotes the research and deployment of solar heating and cooling technologies and solar buildings.

26 April 2012

"We welcome China as a new member", says IEA SHC chairman Werner Weiss. "China is not only the largest market for solar thermal but also a center for RD&D in solar heating and cooling technologies. Our collaboration will help speed up development and deployment of solar thermal worldwide."

China will be represented on the IEA SHC Executive Committee by He Tao and Zhang Xinyu, both of CABR's Center for Quality Supervision and Testing of Solar Heating Systems. "After joining IEA SHC, we can collaborate and share successful experience with the outstanding solar thermal experts from the member countries, which will promote rapid and wide application of solar thermal in China", says Mr He.

The Solar Heating and Cooling Programme was founded in 1977 as one of the first multilateral technology initiatives ("Implementing Agreements") of the International Energy Agency. Its mission is to "advance international collaborative efforts for solar energy to reach the goal set in the vision of contributing 50% of the low temperature heating and cooling demand by 2030."

The member countries of the Programme collaborate on projects (referred to as "Tasks") in the field of research, development, demonstration (RD&D) and test methods for solar thermal energy and solar buildings.

Current research topics range from solar resource assessment to solar architecture and from solar cooling to solar heat for industrial processes. Many of these topics will be discussed 9-11 July 2012 in San Francisco, USA, at the IEA SHC's first International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry.

Further information:
• CABR website: www.cabr.com.cn/engweb/index.htm
• IEA SHC website: www.iea-shc.org
• SHC 2012 conference: www.shc2012.org

About the International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC):

The Programme was established in 1977.
Its objectives are co-operative research, development, demonstration and exchange of information regarding solar heating and cooling systems.
20 countries and the European Union are IEA SHC members.
The research topics of the current 9 projects range from more general topics, such as "Solar resource assessment and forecasting" , system research, such as "Large solar thermal systems" to material research, such as the use of "Polymeric materials for solar thermal applications."
Additional information: www.iea-shc.org