Christophe Williams, co-founder and CEO of Naked Energy, is a man on a mission to introduce solar thermal technology to the world. He thinks it’s critical for developing a clean energy economy. With 550 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity globally, primarily concentrated in China, solar thermal has proven itself as a viable method for generating affordable, clean heat on-site in millions of buildings around the world. Williams hopes that governments aren’t waiting for the next crisis to take action. They must appreciate the promise of this new technology and develop good policies to enable it to thrive.
Countries around Europe have already put into place millions of solar thermal systems, most of which feature water based storage options. This underground storage is up to 50 times cheaper than the cost of battery storage, per kilowatt-hour. Solar-thermal assisted heat pumps have been shown to significantly increase the coefficient of performance (COP) of heat pumps. They help heat water from 10°C to something warmer, allowing heat pumps to work at greater efficiencies.
Williams thinks the industry’s barriers to passive solar thermal installation are all surmountable. He views the technology as key to improving energy resilience, including addressing winter heating challenges. His true dream is solar thermal to be integrated on every building, on every continent, around the globe.
The Advantages of Solar Thermal Technology
Solar thermal technology captures the sun’s energy and converts it into heat that can either be utilized directly or stored for future use. This novel approach has multiple benefits over typical electric heat systems. One of the biggest advantages is its potential to relieve pressure on the power grid. This is particularly timely and relevant, considering the recent rolling blackouts in Spain and Portugal. Williams emphasizes that “any energy system that is 100% reliant on electricity is going to be slightly fragile.”
As a new and diverse energy source, solar thermal helps users guard against the threats of over-reliance on the grid. Williams states, “Diversifying with other clean energy sources such as solar thermal means less reliance on the power grid.” This strategy benefits from increased energy resilience and provides low-cost heat decarbonization directly to end customers.
For countries such as Germany, Austria, and Denmark, solar thermal systems have already demonstrated that they can be cost-competitive. Governmental incentives in these markets have more than compensated for the higher costs, bringing net costs down to gas-equivalency levels. This positive trend is an example of how smart policy interventions can accelerate the adoption of solar thermal technology.
Policy Recommendations for Solar Thermal Adoption
To help spur the growth of solar thermal technology, Williams urges a few main policy shifts. Foremost among these is the need for governments to continue to act as guarantors on renewable energy projects. By supporting these endeavors to this extent, governments can help minimize risk and uncertainty, two of the biggest enemies to investment and development.
Further, Williams emphasizes the need to set a heat decarbonization target. “A heat decarbonisation target would help structure different policies to support solar thermal,” he notes. Specific targets would go a long way in establishing the confidence necessary for private investors and adopters of solar thermal technology to pursue the sector.
Education and outreach are just as key to increasing awareness and adoption of solar thermal technology. Williams agrees that “education and raising awareness are really the most important thing,” both for consumers and especially for policymakers. He calls on governments to ensure they are being technology agnostic in their approach. Rather than limiting their RFI to a single solution, he encourages them to consider how multiple technologies can work together in the most effective way.
The Future of Solar Thermal Energy
Williams sees a bright future for solar thermal technology, imagining its installation on billions of buildings around the world. “I project forward with a vision of solar thermal on millions of buildings worldwide, generating affordable, clean heat on-site,” he asserts. According to the International Energy Agency, global solar thermal capacity can reach as high as 2,000 GW by 2040. This would be an astounding quadrupling of today’s numbers.
Realizing this vision will take a big leap in the mechanical and electrical trades in a growing solar thermal marketplace. Williams urges support for establishing training centers. These centers will reskill workers from declining industries including oil and gas, using their existing complementary skills to allow them to transition into work within the renewable energy sector.
Williams is an unequivocal champion of pairing solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) technology together. Such an approach creates opportunities to maximize energy output while minimizing the use of valuable space. “What we have done is take mature technologies and bring them together in an interesting package to generate more energy from less space,” he explains.
