Introduction to the Task 39 Info Sheets
July 2015 - PDF 0.15MB
Task 39 ”Polymers for Solar Thermal Applications“ of the International Energy Agency’s Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC) was a joint endeavor by polymer and solar thermal experts from industry and research. It started in 2006 with a variety of studies on polymeric materials’ suitability for the application in solar heating components. Investigations on novel designs that allow for alternative materials were elaborated as well as accompanying studies on the cost-reduction potential resulting from the efficient combination of material and product design.

100 Percent Renewable Energy Scenarios – Relevance of Plastics for Solar Thermal Technologies
IEA-SHC Task 39 INFO Sheet A2
May 2015 - PDF 0.35MB
In order to estimate the future demand for polymeric materials in solar thermal systems, the Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing at JKU Linz (AT) and the AEE-Institute for Sustainable Technologies in Gleisdorf (AT) analyzed global and European scenarios that aim at a 100% renewable energy supply by 2050. Those scenarios were compared to European market scenarios established by ESTIF (European Solar Thermal Industry Federation). Based on these scenarios the resulting polymeric material demand until 2050 was calculated, and the results were compared to the potential development of the total global oil reserves and plastics production.

Market and cost effects for polymeric solar thermal collectors
IEA-SHC Task 39 INFO Sheet A1
May 2015 - PDF 0.35MB
Talking about polymeric collectors, the reduction of production costs is one main argument for the use of polymeric materials instead of metals. This cost advantage can be split into two categories: lower material costs of the polymeric materials on the one hand and lower manufacturing costs on the other hand. Comparing just the prices for raw materials per kilogram is not sufficient and only little can be said about the saving potential of polymeric materials. In the here presented manner, using some assumptions, a detailed analysis of the cost effects of polymeric materials for the use in solar thermal applications can be performed.

Task 39 Final Report
Presentation at SHC 2014 in Beijing China
October 2014 - PDF 1.21MB
Task Objectives: - Assessment of the applicability and the cost reduction potential of polymeric materials for solar thermal systems - Novel polymer based designs - Evaluation of less expensive materials - Assessment of durability and reliability - Promote increased confidence in the use of these products - Development and application of appropriate testing and certification methods - Identification of less expensive manufacturing processes

Task 39 Highlights 2013
Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications
February 2014 - PDF 0.18MB
One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to secure sustainable and save energy supply and to considerably reduce CO2 emissions and the potential serious consequences of climate change. The challenging goals with regard to the contributions of renewable energies cannot be obtained without a considerable growth of the solar thermal markets worldwide. Therefore, reliable, efficient and cost-competitive system components are required in large quantities. Today solar thermal collectors mainly consist of glass and metals whereas especially market prices for metals are subject to big fluctuations. These issues demand the introduction of new materials, of which polymers seem to have a strong preference with regard to mass-production techniques, new design freedom, cost- and weight reduction.

Innovative, zukunftsweisende Gestaltungselemente - Kunststoffe in der Solarthermie
ee-erneuerbare energie 2013-01
January 2013
Publisher: AEE - Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE - Dachverband
--- Der vermehrte Einsatz von Kunststoffen eröffnet nicht nur ein erhebliches Kostensenkungspotential, sondern durch die Designfreiheit auch die Chance, Solarthermie ‚neu‘ zu denken. Raum für die Arbeit an innovativen Lösungsansätzen bietet das 2006 ins Leben gerufene Projekt „Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications“ (IEA SHC Task 39). Nunmehr in ihrer zweiten Phase (Laufzeit 2010 – 2014), dient es als internationale Plattform für die Vernetzung von Experten aus Forschung und Industrie der Solarthermie- und Kunststoffbranche. Ziel ist die Entwicklung zukunftsweisender solarthermischer Systeme, die durch den Einsatz geeigneter Polymermaterialien und die damit verbundene mögliche Massenproduktion einfach und kostengünstig herzustellen sind ...

Task 39 Highlights 2012
January 2013 - PDF 0.1MB
One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century is to secure sustainable and save energy supply and to considerably reduce CO2 emissions and the potential serious consequences of climate change. The challenging goals with regard to the contributions of renewable energies cannot be obtained without a considerable growth of the solar thermal markets worldwide. Therefore, reliable, efficient and cost-competitive system components are required in large quantities. Today solar thermal collectors mainly consist of glass and metals whereas especially market prices for metals are subject to big fluctuations.

Polymeric Materials for Solar Thermal Applications
December 2012
Editor: Michael Koehl, Michaela Georgine Meir, Philippe Papillon, Gernot M. Wallner, Sandrin Saile
ISBN: 978-3-527-33246-5
--- Bridging the gap between basic science and technological applications, this is the first book devoted to polymers for solar thermal applications. Clearly divided into three major parts, the contributions are written by experts on solar thermal applications and polymer scientists alike. The first part explains the fundamentals of solar thermal energy especially for representatives of the plastics industry and researchers. Part two then goes on to provide introductory information on polymeric materials and processing for solar thermal experts. The third part combines both of these fields, discussing the potential of polymeric materials in solar thermal applications, as well as demands on durability, design and building integration. With its emphasis on applications, this monograph is relevant for researchers at universities and developers in commercial labs.

Polymere Materialien für Solarthermische Systeme
ee-erneuerbare energie 2011-01
January 2011
Publisher: AEE - Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE - Dachverband
--- Der wachsende Markt für solarthermische Anlagen ermöglicht den Einsatz von Polymermaterialien, die durch kostengünstige Massenproduktion ein großes Kosten- Einspar-Potential aufweisen. Sie sind allerdings nur einsetzbar, wenn ihre Gebrauchsdauer vergleichbar mit denjenigen konventionellen Produkten ist.

Kunststoffe unter der Sonne
ee-erneuerbare energie 2010-04
October 2009
Publisher: AEE - Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE - Dachverband
--- Die allseits propagierten CO2-Einsparungsziele sind ohne eine gewaltige Steigerung der Verwendung der Solarthermie nicht zu schaffen. Dazu werden zuverlässige, leistungsfähige und kostengünstige Anlagenkomponenten in enormer Stückzahl gebraucht. Da Massenproduktion eine Domäne der Kunststofftechnik ist, ergeben sich speziell in diesem Bereich neue Möglichkeiten für das Kollektor- und Speicherdesign. Damit beschäftigt sich seit drei Jahren die Task 39 ...

20 Jahre Freibewitterung von Kollektorabdeckungsmaterialien-x
19th Symposium Thermische Solarenergie, Staffelstein, Germany, May 6-8, 2009
May 2009

Polymere Materialien für Solarthermische Systeme
ee-erneuerbare energie 2006-04
October 2006
Publisher: AEE - Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE - Dachverband
--- Der wachsende Markt für solarthermische Anlagen ermöglicht den Einsatz von Polymermaterialien, die durch kostengünstige Massenproduktion ein großes Kosten-Einspar-Potential aufweisen. Sie sind allerdings nur einsetzbar, wenn ihre Gebrauchsdauer vergleichbar mit derjenigen konventioneller Produkte ist. Zu diesem komplexen Themenbereich wurde die Task 39 des Solar Heating and Cooling Programme der Internationalen Energieagentur konzipiert.

Kunststoffe Neue Möglichkeiten in der Solarthermie
ee-erneuerbare energie 2006-02
March 2006
Publisher: AEE - Arbeitsgemeinschaft ERNEUERBARE ENERGIE - Dachverband
--- Wie Entwicklungen in anderen Industriesektoren (z. B. Elektro- und Elektronik-, Automobil-, Bau- und Verpackungsindustrie) eindrucksvoll belegen, ist auch in der Solarindustrie ein hohes Potenzial für innovative Weiterentwicklungen von Komponenten und Systemen durch den verstärkten Einsatz von Kunststoffen zu erwarten.