Welcome letter

Our planet is facing unprecedented changes as a result of climate change due to the use of fossil fuels and other sources of greenhouse gases. One million of the eight million species on the planet are at risk of being lost*. As such, countries around the world must focus on how to achieve a decarbonized world. Emphasis should be given to all aspects of our lives (from sustainable cities to the maritime sector) and solar energy is the key player in our efforts.

Within Europe, the European Commission, as a response to these challenges, has set the European Green Deal. It is a new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use.

In December of 2019, all Member States submitted their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), and thus leading to new research, innovation and development opportunities over the next few years for all technologies, including of course solar energy. These are ambitious targets, arguably they may not be ambitious enough given the urgency of the challenges the planet is dealing with and facing more of.

The worldwide success of renewable energy technologies, and solar energy in particular is remarkable, and it is what we are working for. In many cases solar technologies are already the most economical way to produce heat and electricity. But there is still way to go in order to rapidly achieve the goal of 100% renewable energy in all end-use sectors. Efficiencies must be increased, the costs of systems and services should be reduced further, and large energy storage systems have to be developed. We need a shift to thinking in terms of systems and a better understanding of the interaction of the heat, electricity and mobility sectors.

It is with this heavy responsibility that we invite you to EuroSun 2020 in Athens, Greece, to be held on the campus of the University of West Attica. This year, the conference is being organised in cooperation with the Cyprus University of Technology and the University of West Attica, with the support of IEA SHC.

EuroSun 2020 will focus on all aspects or solar energy (heat and electricity), and how solar energy combines with other technologies (i.e. storage) and is connected with different sectors (i.e., transportation, industry, buildings, HVAC) as well as communities.

EuroSun 2020 will offer a platform to discuss the latest developments with leading solar energy experts as well as policy makers and industry representatives. The programme will include distinguished keynote speakers in plenary sessions, specialists’ meetings in breakout sessions and poster exhibitions as well as social events where you will have the opportunity to network, meet old friends and make new ones.

We look forward to seeing you in September in Athens and we do hope that you also will take some time to visit the Greek islands and experience the true power of “solar energy” by the beach.

*Sources: (i) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C; (ii) Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: 2019 Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services; (iii) The International Resource Panel: Global Resources Outlook 2019: Natural Resources for the Future We Want; (iv) European Environment Agency: the European environment — state and outlook 2020: knowledge for transition to a sustainable Europe

Alexandros G. Charalambides

Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus

Wolfgang Streicher

University of Innsbruck and ISES-Europe, Austria

Daniel Mugnier

Chairman IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Program

John K. Kaldellis

University of West Attica, Athens, Greece