Decarbonization Avenue : Low & medium temperature solar thermal

Challenges

Lack of awareness of solar thermal applications

Commercial & industrial customers in many regions worldwide are still unaware of the benefits of solar thermal based water heating and drying.

This is especially the case with industrial customers. Industry sectors such as food, diry, chemicals, automotive etc., can use solar thermal for at least preheating for their process heating or drying applications, but this is not well known. Most consider solar thermal to be qualified only for residential water heating, which is not the case.


Relevant for

  • Public relations professional
  • Advertising & communications professional

Innovation sector

  • Renewable energy sciences

Other Challenges

Lack of awareness of solar thermal applications

Competition from low natural gas prices

Ineffective policies and incentives

No significant cost decreases for solar thermal systems

Competition from heat pumps

Low throughput and long drying times of solar dryers

High cost of active solar dryers

Performance challenges with solar cookers

Timing challenge with solar cookers

Stakeholders

  • Corporate management