Solar thermal energy is a renewable energy source from which hot water is produced. In contrast to photovoltaics, which generate electricity from solar radiation. Solar thermal systems on heating networks offer a solution for heating water that is complementary to boiler systems that use conventional fossil fuels.
Although it has existed since antiquity and is widely used in environments with high levels of sunlight, it is less common to consider a solar thermal power plant in cloudy regions with changing climates. However, for heating water in large quantities, solar thermal energy is a significant renewable resource for reducing the use of fossil fuels. With this in mind, the company Fengtech has developed a new generation of solar thermal power plants to optimise the conversion of available solar radiation into heat. With these new generation solar thermal installations, it is possible to satisfy between 50 and 70% of the needs of an activity that requires hot water.
In the context of our current ICaRe4Farms project, the FengTech solar thermal energy system embodies this ambition to move ever further towards the cleanest and most complete energy transition possible, in all circumstances, seasonal and geographical. The aim is to combine the greatest possible energy savings with profitability for the end users.
Solar thermal energy is one of the renewable energies and can benefit from public aid to encourage its installation. Depending on the country, various structures are in charge of monitoring, certifying and registering environmentally friendly devices and several aids are available to support the adoption of these new technologies.
For example, in France, one may note that the ADEME is responsible for watching and certifying systems that are judged to be adequate and in compliance with efficiency and homologation requirements. Likewise, the Fonds Chaleur or the Energy Transition Tax Credit, to name but a few, consist of governmental aid aimed at the deployment and democratisation of these innovative technical solutions.