Welcome to the 5th International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry (SHC 2017) on October 29-November 2, 2017. For this conference, we are fortunate to be holding it together with the ISES Solar World Congress 2017. Our joint conference is certain to reach a wider network of participants interested in exploring technical, industrial and policy synergies relevant to renewable energy deployment. On behalf of the IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Programme, I look forward to meeting, discussing and learning with you at this joint conference.
I am very pleased to invite you to attend the next International Solar Energy Society (ISES) Solar World Congress (SWC) 2017, which takes place in the dynamic city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 29 October – 2 November, 2017. A unique feature of this next Congress is that it is being held jointly with the 5th International Conference on Solar Heating and Cooling for Buildings and Industry (SHC 2017). We are also very pleased that the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology will be the local host of this event. As with previous years, SWC 2017 will continue a long tradition of connecting the renewable energy research and academic community with decision makers, financiers, and practitioners.
It is with great pleasure that I invite you to the joint SHC 2017 / SWC 2017 conference, which will be held on 29 October to 2 November, 2017 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The UAE is uniquely positioned to host this key event. The country has an ambitious renewable energy target of having clean energy sources account for 24% of its energy mix by 2021, and is advancing the deployment of solar energy in the region. The UAE’s regional leadership in solar energy is demonstrated by the establishment of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, which is expected to have 5,000MW of solar energy capacity once completed in 2030; the Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant, which has a 100MW capacity operational since 2013; and the 350 MW Abu Dhabi solar PV power plant recently tendered.