SOCO7 – Solar Cooling Systems

SOCO7 – Promotion of Solar Cooling Systems in Southern Europe, (FP7), 2007

The SoCo7 was designed by the ACE Group, to support policy development by transferring experience and improving understanding of the actual and potential contributions by RES-H/C to heating and cooling consumption in the EU; to monitor, benchmark and assess the effectiveness of RES-H/C policies, legislation and support schemes; and to make RES-H/C policies more consistent with other sectoral policies and objectives. Furthermore its aim was to remove market barriers and simplify approval procedures for construction and use of biomass, solar and geothermal heating/cooling systems; to improve the availability, quality and sustainability of biomass fuels; and to strengthen market links between biomass production and use. It also encourages to change the behavior of decision-makers and RES-H/C stakeholders so that they communicate better and work to create more competitive products and services through economies of scale.

The efficiency of cooling systems and sustainable energy sources needs to be analyzed and improved. Solar cooling systems are seen to fit neatly into that requirements, even if advanced technical solutions need to be found. Stimulations and Action Plans not only for policy and framework makers, but also for the scientific bodies, are proposed outcomes of this project.