Since the beginning of the 1990's, professionals working in the thermal solar sector have developed collective solar systems for hot water supply, using a quality approach adapted to present day needs. It is now possible to guarantee by contract the technical and economic performance of a solar thermal system using the Guaranteed Solar Results (GSR) procedure, first developed in France and then disseminated throughout EU15 with the support of Thermie and ALTENER programmes.

This project has 3 main objectives to promote the competitive use of solar thermal energy and stimulate the market:

• Adaptation of the GSR quality approach to Eastern European Member States and Candidate countries,
• Pro-active promotion and networking between solar energy professionals and public/private decision-makers,
• Implementation of pilot project and feasibility studies to show reliability for collective applications to support the process.

The main expected results for the project, from 2006 to 2008, are the following:

• To transfer the GSR experience to Eastern European countries adapting the GSR chart, improving the quality of the solar thermal equipment and its installation in Eastern Europe.
• To train the professionals to increase professional know-how regarding design and operation of collective thermal solar systems,
• To prepare a better acceptance of solar thermal systems in the building construction process, by equipping one existing solar plant per country with a complete telemonitoring system.
• To realize feasibility studies on Domestic Hot Water (DHW) solar systems (using GSR contract) on new potential sites for presenting bankable projects to financial institutions and promoters.
• To network and implement associated dissemination activities as an integral part of the promotion process to finally drive potential clients and investors to consider thermal solar technology mature and trustworthy, and possibly build a new trade and industry on solid foundations at enlarged Europe level.

Project Fact Sheet (final) Solar thermal applications in EASTern Europe with Guaranteed Solar Results (EAST-GSR),pdf, 145Kb Updated December 2008