6.4 UNF/NDRC Expansion and Improvement of Solar Water Heating Technology in China
1) Background
Solar thermal energy has been used widely in China in the form of solar water heaters; and
the nation has a good foundation both in the development of the solar water heater industry
and in the commercialization of its products. At present, over 1,000 factories and dealers
produce and sell solar water heaters in China; and China is a leading country worldwide both
in the scale and in the high level of commercialization of its solar water heater sector. Solar
water heaters in China are mainly for household use. The ideal building-integrated solar
water heater system, which would be easy to install, elegant, practical, and serve directly as
the roof or wall of the building with which it is integrated, is not yet being produced in China.
In addition, because solar water heating equipment is generally bought by consumers after
they have bought their homes, problems and safety issues often arise during installation. In
fact, such factors have become barriers to the use of solar water heaters. Finally, some cities
have already started to restrict the installation of solar water heaters, so as to avoid what is
perceived as a negative impact on the visual environment.
In order to promote the rapid upgrading and technical improvement of solar water heater
products, to overcome problems in installation and use, to expand the use of solar water
heaters, and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, the project Expansion and Improvement
of Solar Water Heating Technology in China was launched in January 2002. The project is
supported by the United Nationals Foundation (UNF) and the United Nations International
Partner Fund (UNFIP). The duration of the project is three years. The National
Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) represents the Government of China in
implementing the project. The UNF has provided US $1,832,400 to support the project; and
the Chinese Government and other relevant domestic organizations are providing US
$9,600,000 of in-kind co-financing.
2) Project Objectives
The project has the following objectives:
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Widen the use of solar water heaters in residential buildings, thereby reducing the
consumption of coal and emission of greenhouse gases.
Cultivate a group of engineers and architects that understand the integration of buildings
and solar water heaters through capacity building activities.
Promote the design and spread of high quality, attractive, building-integrated solar water
heaters; increase the market share of solar water heaters; and improve market quality by
supporting technical progress in the solar water heater manufacturing sector.
Promote sound market development by supporting the formulation and implementation of
policies and standards regarding the use of solar water heaters on residential buildings.
Raise the level of understanding of home buyers, real estate developers, and city planners
of solar water heaters and solar water heater – building integration through carrying out
dissemination activities.
Figure 23: Residential Buildings with SWH integrated in china
3) Project Activities
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The project is developing ten pilot building-integrated solar water heater residential
complexes in the seven provinces or provincial-level municipalities of Beijng, Tianjin,
Shanghai, Shandong, Anhui, Yunnan, and Guangxi. These pilots demonstrate solar
water heater – building integration under different climatic conditions. Already, pilot
projects have been completed over a total building area of 78,900 square meters; and
158,200 more square meters are under construction.
The project has provided technical support to a number of potential solar water heater –
building integration retrofit projects. An expert group organized by the project visited
more than 20 organizations that had applied to be retrofit pilots as a part of the UNF
project. The experts evaluated the design of their potential projects and provided
technical support. Four of these projects have been selected for addition retrofit design
work, which is currently underway.
The project is working to draw up the national standard Technical Code for Civil Building
Solar Water Heater Systems. The initial draft has been developed; and it is planned that
the draft to be submitted for government approval will be completed in December of 2004,
after which the proposed standard will be submitted to the Ministry of Construction
(MOC) to be authorized, published, and implemented.
The project is preparing Guidebook for the Design and Use of Solar Water Heaters for
dissemination to solar water heater manufacturers, architects, and developers. The
publishing and distribution of the guidebook is targeted for October of 2004.
Market research and policy studies are being conducted, so as to provide input for
government decision-making and for the drafting of China’s Promotion Law for
Renewable Energy Development and Utilization. Reports completed to date include:
“Research on the Situation of Solar Water Heater Integration with Buildings”, “Research
on Incentive Policies for Promoting the Development of the Solar Water Heater Industry
in China”, “Investigation of the Training Needs of the Solar Water Heater Industry”, and
“Research on Targets for Technical Improvements in Solar Water Heaters.”
The project is organizing study tours both in China and overseas for the study of
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advanced experience in solar water heater – building integration.
Based on the standard and design guidebook prepared by the project, training materials
will also be prepared as a part of the project; and training will subsequently be conducted.
Dissemination activities are being carried out as a part of the project, including
informational dissemination meetings and workshops. All types of avenues are being
used to introduce the social, economic, and environmental benefits of solar water heaters
and solar water heater – building integration.
Figure 24: Residential Buildings with SWH integrated in china
4) Project Achievements
The project has been effective in gaining acknowledgement that building-integration is the
necessary path forward for the development of the solar water heater industry. Specific
achievements are given below in each of the areas of policy, the market, and technology.
Policy and Related Mechanisms
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The technical code for the use of solar water heater systems in civil construction has been
listed in China’s national standards plan.
China’s National R&D Program has arranged for research on the special topic on solar
water heater – building integration.
Four local governments have issued documents and regulations to promote the use of
solar water heaters in buildings.
In order to promote the widespread use of solar water heaters in buildings, the Solar
Energy Building Committee of the Solar Energy Society has been established.
Market
 The benefits of solar water heaters have become widely known. As an example, in the
city of Kunming, Yunnan Province, it is difficult to sell real estate projects that do not
integrate solar water heaters.
 Over 20 real estate developers, over ten building design institutes, and over 50 architects
have taken part in relevant project activities to date.
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As a direct result of the project, over 1,000 families are enjoying the benefits of
building-integrated solar water heaters.
Technology
 Companies involved in the study of advanced international experience through study
tours have begun to benefit from these experiences.
 China has begun to research, develop, and manufacture solar water heater products that
meet the requirements of the international market; and the pace of product upgrading has
increased.
Figure 25: Residential buildings integrating solar water heater is in Yunnan Province
5) Project Management Office Contact Information:
Address: 1416 Guohong Mansion, A 11, Muxidi Beili, Xicheng District, Beijing 100038,
China
Tel:
+86-10-63908480, 63908482
Fax:
+86-10-63908468
Email: runqingh@163bj.com