The knowledge obtained seems to show that the STO contribution to a sustainable growth of a solar thermal marked in Portugal must be viewed in the aspects described in the following subsections, as pointed out in the framework of the RCCTE Questions % Answers [19] of the work carried out within the ongoing European project PROSto [20], and of the Portuguese Efficiency Energy National Action Plan [21]:

1.1. Business environment

The present STO must be integrated as a part of a “policy package”, including other legal as well as financial and information/training/awareness instruments.

A “policy package” in the way of “zero building emissions” must include basic requirements for energy savings, namely, limitation of energy demand, energy efficiency of thermal installations, energy efficiency of lighting, minimal Solar contribution for sanitary hot water, and minimal PV or small wind contribution for electricity.

A STO must define clear requirements with as few exceptions as possible (as a means to reduce non-compliance).

Quality is key: certification of thermal solar system and components — solar collectors, factory made systems, and custom built systems; planner, designer and installer certification; technical impositions in the regulations (supported by a very consistent manual of actual good practices for solar thermal applications, with a flexible method to follow new developments); guarantee impositions (maintenance contract).

Public awareness is key (to create an understanding that this is not another awful bureaucratic burden) — on-line information (lists of certified equipments, installers, technical description of the equipments, manual of good practices, schoolar materials (class notes, computer codes, homework assignments, etc.), etc.) is key!.

Leading by example — public buildings!

1.2. Barriers

Complex regulation: Keep it simple! E. g. clear calculation methods to accomplish requirements, checks.

Not clear roles of the actors involved: Separate roles of developing & enacting, operating & monitoring, training, etc.

Lack of knowledge of the actors involved: Improve hearings, training courses for professionals, information campaign from the beginning (before the STO), modification of architecture school curricula to solve the problem of the architectural barrier: what to do to prepare a building to solar (place for the collectors (and their integration); place for technical rooms)), weekly courses for teachers and consumers, etc.

Resistance from "external” sectors: Involve them from the beginning (hearings), offer them enough alternative solutions.

1.3. Flanking measures

More targeted actions are needed, e. g. training for Municipality personnel, campaigns towards building companies, training on large scale solar plants for designers, etc.

Information & training for suppliers (including planner, designer and installers) and users are key.

References

[1] — Altener Programme, Project ”Action for the Dissemination of Solar Thermal Active Energy in Portugal’ (Contract no 4.1030/Z/96-104).

[2] — QUALISOL Project — Installer Qualification for Solar Heating Systems, Cluster Project Number: 4.1030 / C / 00 / 004.

[3] — Programme E4, approved by the Resolution of the Portuguese Council of Ministers n.° 154/2001, of 19th October (DR n.°243 SERIEI-B, 2001-10-19).

[4] — Incentive Measures for Renewable Energies Use and Rational Use of Energy (Portaria n.°

383/2002, of 10th April, DR n.° 84 SERIE I-B, 2002-04-10).

[5] — Jorge Cruz Costa, Joao Farinha Mendes, Maria Joao Carvalho, Manuel Lopes Prates, Silvino Spencer e Joao Correia de Oliveira — “A Certificagao de Qualidade em Sistemas Solares para Aquecimento de Agua” — Revista Ingenium II Serie n.° 77, Agosto/Setembro de 2003, Ordem dos Engenheiros, Lisboa. 2003.

[6] — EPBD, EU Directive 2002/91/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 16 December 2002, on the energy performance of buildings (Off. Jour. L 1/65, 4.1.2003).

[7] — RCCTE, Portuguese Thermal Performance Building Regulation (Decreto-Lei n.°80/2006, DR n.° 67 SERIE I-A, 2006-04-04).

[8] — SCE, Building Certification National System on Energy and Interior Air Quality (Decreto-Lei n.° 78/2006, DR n.° 67 SERIE I-A, 2006-04-04).

[9] — RSECE, Air Conditioning Energy Systems Regulation (Decreto-Lei n.° 79/2006, DR n.° 67 SERIE I-A, 2006-04-04).

[10] — Building Certification National System on Energy and Interior Air Quality Implementation Calendar (Portaria n.° 461/2007, DR n.° 108 SERIE II, 2007-06-05).

[11] — Registration Tax Values for Energetic Certificates (Portaria n.° 835/2007, DR n.° 151 SERIEI, 2007-08-07).

[12] — Model of the Certificates of Energetic Performance and Interior Air Quality (Despacho n. ° 10250/2008, DR n.° 67 SERIE II, 2008-04-08).

[13] — State Budget 2008 (Lei n.° 67-A/2007, DR n.° 251 SERIE I, 2007-12-31, pg. 9178-(13), IRS Code, Art. 85, n.°2).

[14] — Roles of reintegration and amortization applicable to equipments using renewable energies (Decreto Regulamentar n.°22/99, DR n.°233 SERIEI-B, 1999-10-06, pg. 6779)

[15] — State Budget 2002 (Lei n.° 109-B/2001,, DR n.° 298 SERIE I-A, 2001-12-27, pg. 8496-(310), IVA Code, List II, 2.4)

[16] — Incentive System for Qualification and Internationalization of SME Regulation (Portaria n.° 1463/2007, DR n.° 220 SERIE I, 2007-11-15)

[17] — PROENERGIA — Sistema de incentivos a produqao de energia a partir de fontes renovaveis (Decreto Legislativo Regional n° 26/2006/A, D. R. n.° 146, Serie I, 2006-07-31).

[18] — SIEST — Sistema de Incentivos a Energia Solar Termica para o Sector Residencial (Decreto Legislativo Regional n. o 29/2001/M, DR 293 SERIE I-A, 2001-12-20)

[19] — RCCTE FAQs, available, in 2008.07.31, in

http://www. adene. pt/ADENE/Canais/SubPortais/SCE/Informacao/Publicoemgeral/RSECE. htm

(http://www. adene. pt/NR/rdonlyres/FDF72595-33F6-4B4E-8904-

660506CB50B6/522/PRRCCTE. pdf).

[20] — ProSTO — Best Practice Implementation of Solar Thermal Obligations, Agreement N°: EIE/07/205/SI2.466799 (2008-2010).

[21] — Eficiency Energy National Action Plan (Resolugao do Conselho de Ministros n.° 80/2008, DR I Serie n.° 97, 2008-05-20 ).