5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference

As the ENEOs Show opened its doors in Lyon on 15 February 2011, Xavier Noyon, Secretary General of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and Thierry Autric, Managing Director of Qualit’EnR announced the signing of a partnership for the organization of a session wholly dedicated to Qualisol installers at ESTEC 2011 – the 5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference taking place in Marseille on 20 and 21 October 2011.

"Installer certification and hence the quality of installations are crucial to the development of solar thermal in this highly competitive market for renewable heat; this is the key message we want to convey at ESTEC 2011", said Xavier Noyon.

Thierry Autric commented that "… with Qualit’EnR and the Qualisol mark, the French market benefits from a highly efficient quality certification scheme which is both a benchmark and an example of good practice across Europe".

ENERPLAN, co-organizer of the conference with ESTIF and prime mover in initiating the partnership, welcomed this agreement as voiced by its Managing Director Richard Loyen: "We have noticed that all European policies promoting renewable heat are stressing the role of installers and that France is ahead of the game, we hope that ESTEC 2011 will showcase the French solar thermal sector".

For the first time, the European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, ESTEC, will take place in France at Parc Chanot in Marseille. On this occasion, a specific programme will be wholly dedicated to installers, members of Qualisol. Currently Qualisol comprises around 8,000 businesses committed to the quality of domestic solar water heaters in France. Thanks to this quality assurance scheme, developed by Qualit’EnR over 5 years ago, anyone can find locally a competent person able to provide information, give advice and install solar thermal systems. Since 2007, 10 000 domestic solar water heaters have been audited and the number of installations deemed to be failing has decreased threefold – over 85% inspected installations are now either satisfactory or excellent.

ESTEC is the European Solar Thermal Energy Conference

The 5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference – ESTEC 2011 – is organized by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and ENERPLAN with the support of ADEME. 

ENERPLAN, the French Trade Association for Solar Energy

ENERPLAN represents the interests of the entire solar energy sector in France (manufacturers, designers, consultants, installers, architects, energy specialists, etc.). Its mission: Encourage the promotion and development of solar energy. Its strategy: Represent stakeholders in the solar industry, stimulate and shape the sector, develop applications.

ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation

ESTIF is the voice of the solar thermal industry, actively promoting the use of solar thermal technology for renewable heating and cooling in Europe. With around 100 members from 19 European countries, ESTIF represents the entire supply chain.

Qualit’EnR, the French association for quality installation of renewable energy systems

Founded by five national professional bodies in early 2006,Qualit’EnR is the French association for quality installation of renewable energy systems: solar thermal, photovoltaic, biomass, aerothermal and geothermal. Qualit’EnR is involved in promoting the highest quality of service.

www.estif.org

www.enerplan.asso.fr

www.qualit-enr.org