Fosters quality assurance for tomorrows Solar Thermal technology!

Brussels, 17 November 2016 - The Solar Certification Fund (SCF) launches today its 8th call for proposals to continue to provide regular and reliable support for (1) developing better and new Solar Thermal certification and standardisation processes, (2) ensuring quality assurance for tomorrows solar thermal technology.

"The Solar Keymark is a voluntary third-party certification mark for solar thermal products to help consumers to choose wisely products which conform to the relevant European standards. It is the main quality label for solar thermal products and is widely spread across the European market and beyond" mentioned Jaime Fernandez, Chairman of the Solar Keymark Network. "As such, it is important that SKN reinvests in quality assurance, standardisation and certification processes by means of the projects supported by the Solar Certification Fund", he added.

This new call has an indicative budget of 120 000 Euros and the final allocation will depend on the relevance and quality of the proposals submitted.

The main priorities of this 8th SCF call are extensive and include:
• The development of specific tools to improve the existing Keymark Certificate,
• Preparatory work regarding the broadening of the scope of Solar Keymark Certification
• Promotion and quality assurance of solar thermal technology and the Solar Keymark Certification.
"The projects selected in previous calls addressed a broad range of subjects, including the production of software to provide support for certification processes, development and implementation of new testing methods or the development of solutions to facilitate the use of the Solar Keymark in the framework of energy labelling." mentioned Pedro Dias, Secretary General of The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF). "These projects are important for the sector and for strengthening the Solar Keymark certification scheme. Since its first call in 2011, this fund has contributed over a million euros to 94 projects."

The 8th SCF Call for proposals full text can be found here and the application form here.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Wednesday, 21st December 2016, 15h00 CET.

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Solar Keymark Network

The Solar Keymark Network is the operative framework around the Solar Keymark scheme. It consists of Solar Keymark operators (certification bodies, test labs and inspectors) and industry representatives. The aim of the network is to maintain and continuously improve the Solar Keymark schemes rules and procedures, as well as to serve as an information hub.

More information: www.estif.org/solarkeymarknew/


About ESTIF

ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation ESTIF actively promotes the use of solar thermal technology for renewable heating and cooling in Europe. With more than 50 members from 17 European countries, ESTIF represents the whole value chain in today's solar thermal market: from manufacturers, service providers, and national associations to research institutes.