CONTACT

Franck Lucas

Olivier Marc

DUREE
2006-2010

After ten years of numerous research, development and demonstration activities in the field of Solar air-conditioning, in particular within the IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme but also in many other national and European R&D projects, the market penetration of SAC remains small. Therefore, it is important to take a look at the achievements and the recent position of solar cooling technology. It is also important to understand the future perspective of this technology and formulate the needs related to both R&D and market stimulation in order to exploit the potentials. This is also important in order to understand the potential of solar heating and cooling technologies (SHC) to contribute to the achievement of politically set targets in the reduction of energy consumption. This paper describes the recent position of solar cooling technology and develops an outlook about the potential and needed actions.

Given the global challenges related to climate change and resource shortages, much more is required than incremental increases in energy efficiency. Currently, a prominent vision proposes so called "net zero energy", "zero net energy", "net zero carbon" or "EQuilibrium" buildings. Although these terms have different meaning and are poorly understood, several IEA countries have adopted this vision as a long-term goal of their building energy policies .

What is missing is a clear definition and international agreement on the measures of building performance that could inform "zero energy" building policies, programs and industry adoption.

Energies Durables

Agence Internationale de l'Energie http://archive.iea-shc.org/task38/, ADEME