SOLCAMP

Solar Energy for Camping Sites The Report

A European project EIE/05/149

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Content 1. The Project Page

1.1 Overall objective ………………………………………………………………………. 3 1.2 Project partners ……………………………..……………………………………........ 3 1.3 The activities …………………………………………………………………………….. 4

2. The performance in the partners regions

2.1 Germany…….…………………………………………………………………….………… 8 2.2 Poland ………………………………………………………………..……………………… 10 2.3 Austria ………………………………………………………………………………………. 13 2.4 Slovenia ………………………………………………………..…………………………… 18 2.5 Croatia ………………………………………………………………………………………. 20 2.6 Italy ………………………………………………………………….……………………….. 23 2.7 Spain ………………………………………………………………………………………..... 29 2.8 Portugal …………………………………………………..……………………………..…. 32

3. The Manual “Solar energy for camping sites”

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1. The Project Camping sites represent one of the most suitable sites for solar thermal systems. Anyhow, the utilisation of solar thermal systems at camping sites is more or less an ex‐ceptional case rather than common practice. Not only in the North European countries but also in Southern or even Mediterranean regions with high yield of isolation solar thermal systems are still not a primary solution for producing hot water at camping sites. 1.1 Overall objective The overall objective of proposed activity is to create, to implement and to monitor a campaign for increased use of solar thermal systems at camping sites. To achieve this goal a standardised, neutral consultant tool, the "SolarCheckCamping" has been devel‐oped to provide the camping site owners with independent information on solar thermal systems and with the planning data for their site free of sales interests. A "SolarCheck‐Camping" tool simulation software has been be developed and in each of the 11 regions "SolarCheckers" have been trained. Increasing of penetration of solar thermal systems at camping sites will convince the guests as a secondary target group by making positive experience also to invest in such systems, thus contributing to further dissemination of solar energy use. 1.2 Project partners

Fig. 1 The consortium

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Partic. N° Participant name Participant

short name Country 1 International Solar Energy Society / German Section DGS e.V. DGS DE 2 Innovationsstiftung Schleswig‐Holstein ISH DE 3 Dr. Valentin EnergieSoftware GmbH Valentin DE 4 Bundesverband der Campingwirtschaft in Deutschland e.V. BVCD DE 5 Mid Wales Energy Agency Limited MWEA GB 6 EC BREC Instytut Energetyki Odnawial‐nej Sp. z o.o. EC BREC IEO PL 7 O.Ö. Energiesparverband ESV AT 8 Agencija za prestrukturiranje energetike d.o.o. ApE SI 9 International Tourism Institute ITI SI 10 DEPAEX, S.L. DEPAEX ES 11 Agencia Regional de Energia do Centro e Baixo Alentejo ARECBA PT 12 AGIRE – Agenzia Veneziana per l´Energia AGIRE IT 13 Multiss S.p.A. – Punto Energia Provincia di Sassari PEPS IT 14 ESCO Sardegna srl ESCOS IT 15 Agenzia Provinciale Energia e Ambiente APEA IT Tab. 1 The SOLCAMP partners Beside DGS (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie, German Section of the Interna‐tional Solar Energy Society) as coordinator of the project and BVCD and Valentin on the German side international partners came from Poland (ECBREC), Austria (ESV) , Slove‐nia (ITI and ApE), Croatia (DOOR), Italy (AGIRE, PEPS, ESCOS, APEA), Spain (DEPAEX) and Portugal (ARECBA). Unfortunately the Welsh partner left the consortium due to in‐solvency in the first year of the project.

1.3 The activities The SOLCAMP project starts at 1.1.2006 and ends at 30.4.2008. The implementation of activities has been performed following identical patterns in all the project regions. Below there is a draft overview: ‐ Status Quo Analysis At the beginning the actual local and regional situation has been analysed including all relevant facts concerning to camping sites, grant schemes and a compiled list of firms experienced in planning and installing solar thermal systems. ‐ Creating Networks In all partners regions a network consisting of project participants and other relevant stakeholders like tourism organisations or chambers of handicraft has been established.

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‐ Manual “Solar Energy for camping sites” A manual as a guide for planning and installing solar thermal systems at camping sites has been elaborated including pre‐conditions, possible technical solutions and "best practice" cases. The Manual has been printed in German, Spanish, Polish, Slovenian, Ital‐ian and Portuguese and distributed to the target groups and can be downloaded from the partners websites including an English version from the project web site. ‐ T*SOLcamp software Based on simulation software T*SOL a low‐priced version especially for dimensioning solar thermal systems at camping sites, T*SOL camp, has been produced. ‐ Training SolarCheckers and trainers In each of the regions "SolarCheckers" have been trained. Within the phase of application "SolarCheckCamping" a quality label "SolCamp" has been awarded to the sites after checking the solar system by an independent expert. Monitoring and dissemination have been performed by project partners via newsletters as well as on web sites. One of the major cognitions by analysing the SOLCAMP activities was that the decision for investing in solar energy systems by a camping site owner usually needs a lot of time and a continuous information flow about the advantages and benefits of such systems. In addition the camping business is a seasonal one and the period for making investments is limited and located outside the operating time span. Third the energy prices for oil and gas are still too low to enforce camping site owners to act. Nevertheless the SOLCAMP project has received a lot of positive feedbacks and is an im‐portant step for further increased use of solar energy in the tourism sector and especially at camping sites all over Europe. By the end of the project a number of 27 trainers and 173 SolarCheckers have been trained, more than 150 audits have been performed, more than 75.000 camping guests have been informed and the SOLCAMP idea could be spread in other 22 EU‐countries. The single activities within the partners regions can be found in the next chapters.

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Germany DGS Address: Emmy‐Noether‐Str. 2, 80992 München website: www.dgs.de email: dgs.hh‐sh@t‐online.de telephone: +49 4381 41 91 37 ISH Address: Lorentzendamm 24, 24103 Kiel website: www.i‐sh.org email: Moehring‐hueser@i‐sh.org telephone: +49 431 9805856

BVCD Address: Kaiserin‐Augusta‐Allee 86, 10589 Berlin website: www.bvcd.de email: info@bvcd.de telephone: +49 30‐33778320 VALENTIN Address: Stralauer Platz 34, 10243 Berlin website: www.valentin.de email: info@valentin.de telephone: +49 30 588 439‐0

At the beginning of the project in the year 2006 2.578 camping sites and in April 2008 2.788 camping sites have been recorded as touristic camping sites by the Federal Statis‐tical Office. The main important Bundesländer for the camping branch with regard to the touristic camping are Bavaria, Lower Saxony, Baden‐Württemberg and Schleswig‐Holstein. In the beginning of the project camping sites were contacted by the Federal As‐sociation of camping sites BVCD were nearly 1.200 camping sites are organised and other address pools like the favourite German camping guides. It can be assumed that 2.000 camping sites could be reached by questionnaires. Nearly 150 camping sites have responded and 100 of them have evinced interest for a SolarCheck while 50 of them had already a solar system installed or no interest. The distribution of the camping sites showing interest as well as the trained SolarCheckers is given in the following maps:

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Fig. 2 Location of interested camping sites Fig. 3 Location of trained SolarCheckers Together with the partner BVCD, the German association of camping sites and the re‐gional associations as well as the solar companies organized in the DGS and the further trained SolarCheckers a strong network for contacting the camping site owners and pro‐viding them with information has been established. One of the first main activities was the development of a simulation tool for calculating the best adapted collector size and storage volume for a camping site on the basis of the daily mean hot water demand. Based on the T*SOL simulation software from the Valen‐tin Energy software house in Berlin a T*SOL camp version was developed by all partners and finally printed together with a manual in all relevant languages.

Fig. 4 CD‐ROM T*SOL camp Fig. 5 Example of a calculation result Beside the software additional tools like a checklist and a solar report template where developed to make the on site consultation of a SolarChecker as easy and efficient as pos‐sible. In Germany 50 SolarCheckers have been trained by theory and praxis to cover the German wide requests of the camping sites. DGS as project coordinator trained also So‐larCheckers in Wales, Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

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Fig. 6 Trained SolarCheckers in Krk/Croatia Fig. 7 Training seminar in Agrigento/Sicily To inform and convince camping site owners about the usage of solar energy for their camping sites several regional workshops have been performed, organized in cooperation with the national or regional camping associations. Fig. 8 Regional Seminar in the Blomenburg castle/Selent In addition newsletters have been distributed to the camping site owners and information flyers have been produced including the offer and benefits of booking a SolarCheckCamping. These flyers did not contain detailed technical information but the good reasons for using solar energy and the advantage of a consultation free of sales interests by a SolarChecker. Fig. 9 Flyer for camping site owners

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As a solar thermal systems at camping places will serve as model system for the guests, a leaflet to be given up to each guest of "SolCamp" sites will also serve as dissemination tool for solar thermal systems aiming the secondary target group ‐ home owners.

Fig. 10 Flyer for camping guests Thus this flyer will attract home owners to use the solar energy for saving oil or gas and protect the environment too. In case of being interested they could contact a solar firm for receiving an offer for a solar solution. Although the project has been ended the possibility for a SolarCheck still persists. A So‐larCheck can be ordered by filling in the request form: www.dgs.de/fragebogen.0.html One of the success stories of German SOLCAMP activities is the support by leading solar enterprises (Wagner & CO Solartechnik, SONNENKRAFT, Phoenix Sonnenwärme AG, SOLVIS GmbH & Co KG, BBT Thermotechnik GmbH, dedietrich GmbH and ELCO GmbH). One of the first camping sites that had been awarded is the Camping Stover Strand lo‐cated in Lower Saxony. The camping site is operated the whole year with over 1.000 pitches and a corresponding high daily consumption of hot water: 14 m³ (45°C). The so‐lar system consists of two buffer storages, each 3.000 litres, and a flat plate collector area of 70 m². The hot water is produced by three fresh‐water‐stations thus no drinking wa‐ter will be stored. Supported by a SolarChecker the owner of the camping site could re‐ceive a funding of 30%. It is expected that the solar system will reduce the energy con‐sumption by 7.000m³ of natural gas per year.

Fig. 11 The hydraulic scheme Fig 12. The collector area

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Poland

EC BREC Institute for Renewable Energy Address: Mokotowska Str. 4/6, 00‐641 Warsaw website: www.ieo.pl email: biuro@ieo.pl telephone: +48 22 825 46 52 The project Solcamp was located in the seaside Pommeranian region in the North of Po‐land. It was decided to locate the solar project in the Northern part of Poland because the region is characterized by very good insolation parameters and the high potential for using solar energy. Additionally EC BREC IEO Ltd. had a branch office in Gdansk, which has very good relationship with the local authorities. In Poland was established one regional network. EC BREC IEO thanks to specific work‐shops, tried building up network. In Poland there are some 200 camping sites. In the Po‐morskie voivodship some 35 camping sites are located, circa half of them decided to par‐ticipate in the Solcamp project. Below, there is list of 16 participating camping sites from Pomerania region • CZŁUCHÓW • JURATA • ŁEBA (Morski) • ŁEBA (Ambre) • ŁEBA (Przymorze) • ŁEBA (Marco Polo) • ŁEBA (Rafael) • MALBORK (Nogat) • PRZYWIDZ • ROWY • SOPOT (Kamienny Potok) • STEGNA (Camp) • STEGNA • USTKA‐PRZEWŁOKA (Morski) • WDZYDZE KISZEWSKIE • ZAWORY (Tamowa) Other members regional network are: • Solar firms • Solar checkers. The selection of solar

checkers as in 4 stages, first: checking the in-stallers – potential solarCheckers ‘2006, sec-ond: training solar trainers in Warsaw ‘2006, next: seminars for SolarCheckers in Gdansk ‘2006 and the end: certification of 4 SolarCheckers at the beginning of ‘2007

Fig. 13 Example of the one of newsletters

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• Solar trainers • Polish Federation Camping and Caravanning – association (PFCC). This associa‐tion has a big power of authority and its participation in the project is magnet for other camping sites to participate in the project. Although, there was done Project web site : national http://www.ieo.pl/solcamp and international http://www.dgs.de/1531.0.html On the website are information like: short description of the Solcamp project, list of SolarCheckers, list of solar firms, possi‐bility of co‐financing the solar thermal in Poland, some figures about solar energy in Po‐land, current events, Newsletters, Manual, all presentations from workshops, trainings and last regional seminars for camping sites owners, flyers for camping guests and for camping owners, best practice cases (camping “Borki” and camping “Jurata”), others de‐tails, including links and contacts. More of visits on Solcamp website is from website PFCC (linked with an association ‐ Polish Federation Camping and Caravanning). The most intensive visits were after mailing by newsletters. We published 6 newsletters on regional web sites and all newsletters were distributed by mail to solcamp regional net‐work.

Fig. 14 National website One of the most important instruments of dissemination were the Solcamp Manual and flyers. Manual includes pre‐conditions, possible technical solutions and ‘best practice’ cases. The Manual (30 pages) and flyers were distributed on seminars by EC BREC IEO, by PFCC and on ecological trade fair POLEKO in Poznan. Beside, there were organised 3 regional seminar/workshops:

• Seminar with tourism federation (PFCC) in Zielona Gora, 8 of Nov. ‘2006, • Workshop in Chłapowo, 19‐20 of Sept.‘2007 • Workshop in Zakopane, 03‐04 of Oct.’2007 All the regional workshops for camping owners were organised with help PFCC. At the workshop attended not only owners of camping‐sites from Pomerania, but also owners

Fig. 15 Solcamp Manual

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form other regions Poland, for example from regions: Warmia, Slask. Workshops were specific organized, every workshop held 3 days. There were practice information about solar in‐stallations, aids for solar collector in Poland (e.g. : Bank Ochrony Środowiska, EkoFund, Regional Operational Pro‐gramme 2007 – 2013, National Fund for Environmental Pro‐tection and Water Resource Management, Provincial Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Resource Management, Communal Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Re‐source Management), description of the best practices, at the end of each workshops was visit solar installation on the tour‐ism buildings. The total number of all participants is: 145. Af‐ter regional workshop, we performed solar audits on the camping sites. The number of solar audits is 16.

Fig. 16 Solar audits

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Austria

ESV Address: Landstrasse 45, 4040 Linz, AUSTRIA website: www.esv.or.at email: christiane.egger@esv.or.at telephone: +43‐732‐7720‐14386 In general, the solar thermal market in Upper Austria is booming. More than 900.000 square meters of solar panels are installed at Upper Austria's buildings. Especially in one family homes the hot water production by solar energy is already becoming standard. The installation of a solar thermal system is obligatory for new residential buildings, which get financial subsidies. The interest in solar thermal systems is rather high in Upper Austria – this is confirmed for example by the number of participants in the training seminars and events, organised by ESV during the project time. One main challenge was that most camping sites and many hotels are only in operation during the summer months, that is why the payback‐period for solar thermal systems is very long and the investment possibilities are limited. O.Ö. Energiesparverband (ESV) participated in all project meetings: • Kick‐off meeting, Brussels, January 2006 • Second project meeting, Cardiff, March 2006 • Third project meeting, Warsaw, July 2006 • Fourth project meeting, Évora, November 2006 • Fifth project meeting, Luogosanto, June 2007 • Sixth project meeting, Hamburg, February 2008 ESV contributed to the reports and provided inputs to the project website. The regional network was set up at the beginning of the project. A survey using camping guidebooks, the Chamber of Commerce, the tourism agency of Upper Austria and the internet was made to identify camping sites in Upper Austria. The relevant solar firms, manufacturers, distributors, installers and research institutions were already known because of the "Ökoenergie Cluster" (Upper Austria's network of green energy busi‐nesses), a network managed by ESV. Camping site owners were approached personally by phone. They were asked how they prepare warm water and if they are interested in solar energy. The list of financial aids was published on the regional solcamp website as well as on the general website of ESV which is used by companies. Information on the subsidies was also included in the information leaflet for camping sites of which 10,000 copies were printed and distributed (point of stock by now).

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The list of camping sites was used for information dissemination (newsletters, leaflet on solar energy, information leaflet for guests). They were invited for several times to take the opportunity of an energy advice on solar energy and to visit our national seminar on solar energy. The camping sites which already have a thermal solar system were also used for site visits (for example participants of the training seminars). The T*SOLcamp software was checked for usability and function of the parameters, feedback was given to Valentin. A manual "Thermal solar energy for camping sites" was produced in close cooperation to the project coordinator. It was printed and distributed to the camping site owners. ESV developed a training scheme and organised trainings seminars for solar checkers. The seminars informed about important technical questions for the realisation of larger solar thermal systems. The seminar covered topics like components of a solar system, dimensioning of the plant, simulation and software, costs and financial possibilities. A site visit completed the programme. As Upper Austria is a small region and many trainers and experts on solar energy are already existing, there was no necessity to train more trainers, it was much more cost‐ and time‐effective to train solar‐checkers. An information brochure for the use of solar energy on camping sites was finished. It in‐cludes general information on solar energy use for camping sites, information on invest‐ment costs and SolarChecks and best practice examples. ESV has printed 10,000 leaflets and sent it to camping sites and hotels in Upper Austria as well as to solar experts and installers. Based on this action, many SolarChecks were realised. O.Ö. Energiesparverband has organised an information campaign for solar energy in Up‐per Austria in summer 2006, in which also information about solar use on camping sites was integrated. Central part of the campaign is the website. The website includes a list of partners of the solar campaign (in total 160 companies are partner of the campaign), best practice examples and technical information on solar energy. The campaign went along with 400 large size bills and press releases in regional newspapers. Together with an information leaflet, these bills were sent to more than 1,000 installers and municipali‐ties. The aim of the campaign was to raise the awareness for solar energy of different target groups. ESV developed an information leaflet for guests which includes information on thermal solar systems in German, English, Italian and Czech. Additionally to the leaflets, posters were printed to draw the attention of the guests on the solar thermal system and the leaflet. The leaflets and posters were disseminated to companies in the tourism industry which have installed a solar thermal system. Two regional information seminars took place, the first in September 2007 and the sec‐ond in April 2008.

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The camping site "Alpencamp" was awarded with the "Energie‐Genie 2007" in the frame of the "Energiesparmesse". The "Alpencamp" has a very innovative energy system: both, the solar thermal system and the pellet boiler are regulated via an intranet control sys‐tem which allows an online real time monitoring. 18 SolarChecks were realised, each advised company got a report on the check with a summary of the main results. ESV has organised one national seminar, which took place on 13 September 2007. Around 200 participants listened to the presentations of experts from Austria and Ger‐many dealing with possibilities, technical requirements and innovations for larger solar thermal systems. Solar firms of ESV's network presented their products and used the possibility to get in contact with interested clients. 7 Newsletters were developed and disseminated to relevant target audiences in Upper Austria. All newsletters can be downloaded from the regional project website. The news‐letters introduced the project, the brochure on solar systems and provided information on the training seminar, actual figures of the solar market in Upper Austria 2006, the na‐tional seminar, figures of the Upper Austrian solar market in 2007 and the regional seminar. The international seminar was held in the frame of the World Sustainable Energy Days on 7 March in Wels, Upper Austria. ESV organised the international seminar in close co‐operation with the work package leader DEPAEX.

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Slowenia APE Address: Litijska cesta 45, 1000 Ljubljana website: www.ape.si email: natasa.lambergar@ape.si telephone: +38 61 586 38 73 ITI Address: Vosnjakova street 5, 1000 Ljubljana website: www.ntz‐nta.si email: Janez.sirse@ntz‐nta.si telephone: +38 61 300 69 41 The largest part of the solar energy in Slovenia comes from solar thermal systems. There is no statistic available for installed and operating capacities. According to the estima‐tions among professionals (ApE, University in Ljubljana, BCEI ZRMK) and based on some documentation and information by the producers and installers, there are about 100.000 m2 of solar collectors installed. More than 95% of the systems were installed on individ‐ual buildings. There were also some larger solar systems installed on buildings with higher water consumption such as hotels, buildings for the elderly, baths etc, unfortu‐nately most of them are not any more in operation. The situation is similar in camping sites and other tourist and recreation buildings like hotels, swimming pools, where the solar energy is not widespread. Comparing to other EU countries which took part in the Solcamp project like Germany and Croatia, Slovenia has only around 60 camping sites. According to inquiry performed by MIT with only 15 participating camping sites, most of them use electricity for water heating, following the use of liquefied petrol gas and oil. There are only a few camping sites with solar thermal systems installed and most of them require renovation. Camp Lucija on the picture below has the solar thermal system installed from 1981 still in op‐eration.

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Fig.17 Camp Lucija with ST system

Promotional publications During the Solcamp project implementation two leaflets were published. Leaflet for camping sites represents Solcamp project, basic information about the use of solar energy in camping sites and the possibility of solar checks. Leaflet “Solar thermal systems for hot water preparation and space heating” is available for the people who are interested in the use of solar energy in their homeas. The leaflet provides all the information about solar thermal systems, operation, investments and financing. Fig. 18 Flyer for camping site owners Manual “Solar thermal systems for camping sites” is excellent tool about the use of solar energy in camping sites. This manual gives the basic information about installing solar thermal systems in camping sites with presentation of systems, components, planning and dimensioning with T*SOLcamp software, installation, costs and sources of financing and best practice cases.

Promotional seminars During the Solcamp project several promotional events were organised for camping sites owners, solar firms and installers of solar thermal systems. In January 2008 on Slovenian Tourism and leisure fair, Festival Camping and caravaning Solcamp seminar about the use of solar energy in camping sites took place.

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Fig. 19 Tourism and leisure fair Fig. 20 Seminar in Golf hotel in Bled In April 2008 seminar “Solar thermal systems in large buildings” took place in the hotel Golf in Bled. The main objective of this seminar was the use of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy in tourism, which is good basis for the promotion of Slovenia and tourist destinations. On the seminar solar thermal systems in large buildings and camp‐ing sites, planning and dimensioning, economic assessment, financing possibilities and best practice cases in this field were presented. Similar seminar was organised in the region Posočje, where the most of Slovenian camp‐ing sites are located at the end of April 2008 in Kobarid. Awarded camping sites The main objective of camping sites awarding was organized with the intention to stimu‐late camping sites to join the Solcamp project and start with thinking about the environ‐mentally friendly operation. Three camping sites that have the biggest possibilities to use the solar energy were chosen from camping sites who took part in Solcamp project. Those awarded camping sites are Avtokamp Jezero from Velenje, camp Koren from Ko‐barid and camp Menina. Camp Lucija was awarded as the oldest camp with solar thermal system still in operation and Camping Bled for the newest camp with the solar thermal application.

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Fig. 21 Camping Bled Fig. 22 Camping Koren Kobarid Conclusion The advantages in Slovenia in the field of solar thermal systems are important solar en‐ergy potential, home producers of solar thermal systems equipment and long tradition of using solar energy. Implementation of Solcamp project represented important step in the further development of solar thermal sector and ecotourism in Slovenia. It is important also to proceed with further activities for rise of the knowledge and also awareness.

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Croatia DOOR Address: Unska 3, 10000 Zagreb website: www.door.hr email: uprava@door.hr telephone: +38 51 612 99 86 At the time of SolCamp project proposal acceptance by the Agency, Croatian institu‐tions were not eligible for co‐financing within the IEE Programme. Nevertheless, a Croatian organization called DOOR (Drustvo za oblikovanje odrzivog razvoja, Croa‐tian for Society for Sustainable Development Design) has been participating in the project, thanks to co‐funding by Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction and the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency. DOOR’s representatives have been participating in the SolCamp Steering Committee meetings, which has been financed by the IEE Agency. The following activities have been conducted.

Gathering of basic information about tourist campings and companies dealing with solar energy Questionnaires have been distributed to 300 camping sites and 30 companies active in solar systems design and implementation. Basic information about camping sites and companies have been gathered, as well as information about their interest in the project. Feed‐back has been given by 30 camping sites and 10 companies. Gathering information about solar energy support mechanisms and financing possibilities Solar energy support mechanism and co‐financing possibilities in Croatia have been identified and publicized at the SolCamp Croatia web page (www.mojaenergija.hr/solcamp), in the manual targeting camping sites owners and solar systems designers, and in articles about the projects (published in magazines GO21, Solarne tehnologije, Camping). Network of interested individuals and associations creation Following institutions have been actively involved in the project: ‐ Kamping udruženje Hrvatske (Croatian camping sites association) ‐ Udruga kampista Hrvatske (Croatian campers association) ‐ Udruga kampova Dubrovačko ‐ Neretvanske županije (Camping sites association of the Dubrovacko‐Neretvanska county)

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‐ Hrvatska stručna udruga za sunčevu energiju (Croatian expert society for solar energy). The Manual 32 pages manual (A4 size) has been printed in 500 copies and distributed among so‐lar thermal systems designers and camping sites owners.

Fig. 23 The Manual „T*SOL camp“ software localization Data for 8 locations in Croatia have been supplied to the TSOLcamp application, and its interface has been translated in Croatian. Training for solar systems designers Training for solar systems designers has taken place in Jezevac camping site at the is‐land of Krk. Training has been given by the project coordinator, Mr. Bernhard Weyres‐Borchert, Dipl.‐Met., and 11 professionals have been present. They have been introduced to the T*SOL camp software and peculiarities of solar energy applications in campings. SolCamp Steering committee meetings DOOR’s representatives have participated in the following meetings:

Bruxelles, Belgium, Varšava, Poland, Evora, Portugal, Luogosanto, Italy.

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Information dissemination and solar energy use popularization Information about solar energy use has been disseminated via the Internet, through magazines and in lectures and presentations. www.MojaEnergija.hr MojaEnergija is an Internet portal dealing with energy issues, targeting primarily Croatian general public. A new category has been established for the SolCamp project popularization, at www.MojaEnergija.hr/solcamp. All information about the project goals, its implementation and achievements have been widely accessible at the pro‐ject home page. Magazines To increase project visibility and dissemination of information about solar energy use, articles have been published in the following papers:

• Solarne tehnologije (Solar Technology) • GO 21, • Camping.

Presentations The following presentations have been given. • A lecture for camping sites representatives has been given in Orebic, with 25 participants. • SolCamp project has been presented at the First Croatian Camping Conference in Primosten. All 130 participants have received the Manual at the registration desk. • SolCamp project has been presented at the Croatian and Austrian chambers conference “Solar energy use in tourist sector” in Poreč.

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Italy PEPS Address: Strada Provinciale La Crucca 5, O7100 Sassari website: www.puntoenergiass.com email: energyss@tin.it telephone: +39 079 302 60 31

AGIRE Address: Via delle industrie17/a, 30175 Venezia website: www.veneziaenergia.it email: tognon@veneziaenergia.it telephone: +39 041 509 42 51 ESCO Address: Via Carlo Felice 33c, O7100 Sassari email: escosardegna@virgilio.it telephone/fax: +39 079 280 460 APEA Address: Via Crispi 46, 92100 Agrigento website: www.apea.it email: salvatore.castaldo@email.it telephone/fax: +48 22 825 46 52 SOLCAMP project in Italian panorama of solar thermal growth, has been characterized by recognise specificities and potentialities of solar thermal energy use in camping sites and turn them into competitive advantages; support camping owners on planning and building sustainable energy camping; share best practices between partners and coun‐tries and training activities; work together and learn from each other to develop common actions in the countries involved. Solar thermal collectors in Italy at the end 2007 (Solar Expo source) 1.000.000 sqm ( 670 MWth ) 20 % of growth per year in last 5 years; growth in camping sites is slower: in 2007 operating campings ( May to September ) are circa 2.500, 90%on the sea side, of which ( regions partners in the project ) Sicilia n. 135; Veneto n.130 ;Sardegna n. 120. Number of solar thermal collectors in camping sites, estimated (2007): Italy 12.500 m2, 4.166 Mwh/y;,2.124 CO2 tons/y. Sicilia 676 m2, 226 Mwh/y, 128 CO2 tons/y; Veneto 700 m2, 234 Mwh/y, 122 CO2 tons/y; Sardegna 550 m2, 184 Mwh/y;,103 CO2 tons/y. Solcamp project impact in Italy is a part of S.TH development trend ( to be evaluated ); in Italian partners regions, with induced effects in S.TH growth, in campings, 1/2 of actual installations, set up during the project period, a little below the expectation, but the whole activities have been concrete and qualified, and results are coming.( case study La Mariposa e La Foce in Sardinia, Du Park e Lido in Veneto; Eraclea Minoa Village in provincia di Agrigento ).

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Solcamp project activities have been developed on the three Italian regions Sardegna, Sicily and Veneto region areas with a continuous increasing attention of camping owners interested to realize solar thermal plants also in the medium and long time, considering the necessity to plan the restructuring of their own camping and structures. In that sense the effect of project activities are destined to last also after the project period, underlin‐ing how some initiatives can be accepted in a structural way and not only occasionally during the proposal and studies phase. At the same time the promotion and dissemination activities of Solcamp project have involved and interested not only the camping owners and operators, but also the whole actors, public bodies, private citizen, private companies to install solar thermal plants other then camping sector. Also in that sense Solcamp project effects have gone over the camping sector and have been spread in many other sectors and activities of the regional areas involved, inspiring a solar thermal use growth which is positive and have to be analyzed and quantified. Another import aspect regards the camping guest involved during the project through the dissemination phase and the distribution of thousands of flyers and leaflets. Concern‐ing this aspect it must be said that camping guest have very much appreciate to be in‐volved and informed, have very much approved the effort to improve the energy sustain‐ability and the interest in environment defence and improvement. Solcamp project, besides, have trained the personnel and the technician to solar check the camping solar energy necessities and performance, preparing teams able to make audits, to give information and solutions, and, more, interested to implement their own job at local level, continuing to promote and improve the use of solar thermal energy in camping sites and over. Very important have been the Manual production and distribution, amplifying the action of the dissemination activities realized through the local meetings, workshops and con‐ferences. The Manual have been distributed to the sector operators, installers, plumbers, category association and planners. It can be surely said the project have reached many objective, including the permanent presence of the European Solcamp Award in the entrance of awarded camping recalling the project and the benefits of solar energy use. Project Italian performances N° 3 Regional networks have been setup, one per region (Sardegna, Sicily, Veneto); N° 22 Key actors have been involved; N° 8 Trained trainers; N° 26 Trained solar checkers; N° 34 SolarCheck camping audits; N° 6 EU Solcamp awarded camping sites at the end of project; N° 5.000 Camping Guests informed; N° 500 copies of Solar Thermal Manual distributed; N° 138 MWh annually fossil fuel subst. induced in the period;

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N° 4% Increase in solar thermal in camping sites; N° 1 Solcamp project partners meeting in Luogosanto; N° 3 Regional seminars, one x region, 300 participants in total; N° 3 Regional workshops,one x region,100 participants in total; N° 1 International conference, Wels, March 2008 N° 1 National seminar, Venezia, April 2008. The target group camping site owners The activity started involving the camping association, FAITA, in Sardinia, Veneto and Sicily, and sending to the highest number of camping sites possible, (90 campings in Sar‐dinia and 50 in Sicily) the questionnaires for Camping sites. The activity gave a low number of responses, and in the second phase of the project ES‐COS started with a direct contact with camping owners, visiting the camping sites and performing directly the SolarChecks. In Veneto FAITA was directly involved for the establishment of the regional SOLCAMP network and the organization of the first meeting, held in the headquarters of AGIRE on 7 March 2006. Then, a deep promotional activity of the project was carried out by AGIRE along the seaside, in particular in the areas of Jesolo and Cavallino, where a very large quantity of camping sites is present. In a second time, SOLCAMP was disseminated in the area of the Garda lake. Interest among camping site owners is high, even if they are aware of the constraints (in particular economic) that this technology has if applied to camping sites. In Sicily the contact with FAITA was more fruitful, having a meeting with several camp‐ing owners in Catania, organized by the Association’s secretariat , in February 2007. Solar Firms The questionnaires for solar firms have been sent twice, in the 2006 and 2007. The low response to the questionnaires induced to have a more direct contact with firms and in‐stallers, and with this aim ESCOS was present at the Cagliari Fair –april 2006‐ spreading some flyers with the general contents of SolCamp project and some information about the SolarCheck. In this way we had the possibility of reaching a high number of stakeholders at the same time, and spread some basic information. In the month of November 2006 , as a result of solar firms involvement attempts, ESCOS performed the first SolarCheckers training ses‐sion, with 8 participants. The aim of this training session, as outlined in that training, had the aim to obtain a concrete involvement of FAITA and camping owners in the project. The second stage of SolarCheckers in Sicily was held in late March 2008, training 5 per‐sons choose between artisans and installers.

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In Veneto SolarCheckers were AGIRE internal staff. This was due to the fact that the So‐larCheck procedure was not seen by installers and plumbers as a promising activity, both for the fact that the market of camping sites is not yet developed, and that this sector is not well‐disposed in activities that are so “consultancy‐oriented”. Plumbers, solarfirms and installers could not recognise in SolarCheck an opportunity to gain customers. Probably in the future, when the solar market in the tourism sector will create competi‐tion, such situation will change. Apart from “SolarCheck”, the interest of solar firms and installers in SOLCAMP was very high, because the project caused an interesting snow ball effect in camping site owners. In Jesolo and Cavallino camping sites are next to each other, and when AGIRE carried out the first Solar Check, several other camping sites re‐quested it. In the Garda lake area, three camping sites after the solar check decided to build a solar thermal system during 2007. After that, other camping sites of the area re‐quested Paradigma (the solar firm that built 2 of the 3 systems) to have a quotation for their camping. Paradigma itself spread through its newsletter the news that the 2 camp‐ing sites had received the Solcamp Award during the Solcamp national workshop. The policy level involvment The involvment of policy level gave some results. In the 2006 ESCOS tried to involve the Regional Aldermans for Environment, both in Sardinia and in Sicily regions, but the im‐pact for this activity was really poor. In the June 2006 ESCOS and PEPS organized a con‐ference for the Sergan project (Interreg IIIA) at the Province of Sassari, in which we had the presence of the Italian Ministry of Environment. In that circumstance we had the first effective contact with the policy level, and some collaboration . At the end of 2006 the Italian Government decided to increase the tax relief to the 55% for solar Thermal systems, giving an effective help to the pay back time reduction. In the month of April 2007 we had a second meeting in Sassari, in which we involved the Alderman for Environment for the Province of Sassari, and in the last months of 2007 we had new calls for fundings for solar thermal systems – a towing of PV systems. In Veneto, AGIRE has started from the beginning of the project a deep activity of promo‐tion towards political bodies. SOLCAMP and the development of solar thermal technol‐ogy in camping sites has been inserted in the “action list” of the municipal energy plan of the City of Venice (AGIRE is the body that implements the entire energy plan, and the president of the Agency is the alderman of Environment of Venice). At the same time, all the municipalities in which SolarChecks have been carried out have shown their interest in the project, as in their cities tourism is one of the main economic activities, and pro‐moting sustainability in tourism has a great appeal for them. The campaign Because in the first phase of the project the answers to the questionnaires sent were very low, in a second phase we started with a direct contact with camping owners, not only by phone, but, where possible , having a personal contact.

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In this second phase it was possible to perform 12 SolarChecks in Sardinia and 23 So‐larChecks in Veneto involving the camping owners really interested in the solar thermal system implementation. The direct contact with solar firms allowed the partner to in‐volve in the project some very active installers. The SolCamp award After the first 18 months of activities, we had the first camping site with a solar thermal system installed, the Mariposa Camping, in Alghero. Few months later, another camping site, checked in the month of June 2007, installed a solar thermal system on the roofs of 21 bungalows. In Veneto the first solar thermal systems were installed in 2007 by 3 camping sites, awarded during the national workshop in April 2008. Lessons Learnt ‐ Lack of trust One of the most relevant problems find during the activities is the lack of trust in the so‐lar thermal systems. The low price for GPL in Sardinia and, most of all, for Natural Gas in Sicily and Veneto region means a high pay back time for the solar thermal, and the possi‐bility for saving money appear very distant. Furthermore the trust in the capabilities of such a system is very poor, due to poor quality of installation and poor maintenance of old systems which were diffused in Sardinia and Sicily over 20 years ago. Another relevant point is the high funding scheme for the PV systems which drives the firms to invest their money easier on a PV system, which gives an high value energy. - Lack of knowledge The knowledge on solar thermal systems is growing in the last year. The main reason for this is the unceasing growth for the crude oil price, and for the derived fuels – Diesel oil and Propane Gas. The possible solar thermal systems installation with a lower pay back time than before increased the market and the advertising for this technology, and the 55% of tax relief gave an incentive to the market, but the process is still at the first steps, and PV systems are still more competitive. In this market condition, our aim was to inform , give advertise of the technology , give advertise of solar firms operating in the local market , and provide neutral and complete information about the systems.

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The main problem to reach the camping owners was, in this situation, the lack of trust in “no profit activities”. The camping owners are not affected to spend money for an energy audit, at least unless they have yet decided to install a solar thermal system. This is a consequence of the small structure of Sardinian local markets (each region of Sardinia and Sicily has its own local market, we should say). For this reason, in order to provide some SolarChecks , we had to do it for free. Nevertheless, some camping owners seem to be informed and active in the field, and for this reason we had the possibility of awarding two camping sites, during the action. This step was helpful, because it gave a good result to the project activities, and it was the reason of some new contacts in the last months. I strongly believe this could be a first step in the diffusion of solar thermal systems in Sardinia, and a starting point for a new strategic activity. The project in numbers The SolCamp project implementation in Sardinia and Sicily in synthesis: 160 camping sites have been inserted in a database. 25 Solar Firms have been inserted in a database. 12 camping sites received a SolarCheck 8 solar checkers in Sardinia have been trained, chosen between engineers, solar thermal systems installers, technicians 5 SolarCheckers have been trained in Sicily 10 solar thermal systems installers asked for a new training session in Sardinia, and it will be performed in the next months, even if the SolCamp project is ended. 2 Camping sites installed a solar thermal system, and they have been awarded with the SolCamp quality label. 150 flyers have been diffused in the Cagliari Fair , in the april 2006 250 flyers and more, have been diffused in the Cagliari Fair, the last week of April 2008 10 solar firms have been involved in the flyers diffusion and project advertising. 2 calls for fundings have been published by the Region of Sardinia in 2006‐2007 for solar thermal systems fundings (together with PV systems)

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Spain DEPAEX Address: Meléndez Valdés, 28‐1°IZQ, 6001 Badajoz website: www.depaex.es email: depaex@depaex.es telephone: +34 92 222 241

Solcamp project implementation in Spain has been really successful, spreading aware‐ness on the benefits associated to solar thermal energy and increasing the utilization of solar thermal systems in campings sites inside (Extremadura) and outside (Cataluña) the regional territory. A regional network composed of 5 main actors active on the local solar thermal market has been created. The members of the network, who have been contacted, informed and involved in project activities, are: AGENEX – Energy Agency for Extremadura, Asociación de Empresarios de Campings de Extremadura (Extremenian Association of Camping sites), Asociación de Instaladores Electricistas y Telecomunicaciones de la Provincia de Badajoz (ASINET) ‐ Association of Electric and Telecommunications Installers of Badajoz, Asociación de Empresas Solares de Extremadura – Association of Solar Firms of Extre‐madura, Asociación Empresarial de Energías Renovables de Extremadura – Business As‐sociation of Renewable Energies of Extremadura. Depaex created a regional Solcamp webpage containing all information, documents and newsletters about project’s activities (www.depaex.es). A regional list of camping and rural sites, solar firms and national and regional financial aids for the utilization of solar thermal systems have been produced. Depaex has reviewed and translated T*SOL camp Manual into Spanish. Information on solar thermal systems and best practices has been collected and elabo‐rated and a Manual on solar thermal systems for camping sites has been produced and given to camping owners, as well as published in the regional website. On 6th and 7th June 2006 DGS held a course for Solar Trainers in Badajoz. On 24th Novem‐ber 2006 trained Solar Trainers trained 5 people coming from Spanish solar firms in Ex‐tremadura, so preparing 5 SolarCheckers, able to perform SolarChecks following the methodology developed within the implementation of Solcamp project. The trained So‐larCheckers were: - Juan Carlos San Martín Blanco - Valentín Pérez Sánchez - Javier Serentill Moya

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- Joaquín Chavez Redondo - Luz Alder Urtubey. The course lasted one whole day, and half of the day (morning) was focused on theory (information on Solcamp project, information on solar systems, introduc‐tion of tools for SolarChecks: TSOLCAMP software, checklist and solar report). The afternoon was dedicated to prepare a practical case. Used material were based on the information and documents provided by DGS when carrying out the course for trainers (model 1), translated into Spanish and properly adapted: presentation of Solcamp project, introduction to solar thermal systems, T*SOL camp software, checklist and solar report translated into Spanish. On 16th March 2007 Depaex organised a regional /national seminar on Solcamp project within the framework of Renewable Energies Fair of Extremadura, part of the Iberian Construction Fair. 36 people took part to the seminar, receiving in‐formation on Solcamp project objectives, activities and expected results. Depaex realized several visits to camping and rural sites to inform them on Sol‐camp project activities and on the advantages and benefits related to the use of solar thermal systems. 31 SolarChecks were performed in Extremadura and Cata‐luña, thus spreading Solcamp project impact to other Spanish regions. 31 Solar reports have been produced. The following camping / rural sites have been au‐dited: 1. Cala Go‐go 2. Can Major 3. Casa El Doncel 4. Casa Manadero 5. Castell Montgrí 6. El Jardín del Convento 7. El Mases 8. El Vedado 9. Eurocamping 10. Francas 11. Garganta de Cuartos 12. Godoy 13. La Chopera 14. La Mata 15. La Pahissa 16. La Platea 17. Las Cañadas 18. Masos d’en Coll 19. Mérida 20. Mobydick 21. Monfragüe 22. Neptuno 23. Platja Vilanova 24. Racó de Mar

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25. Río Jerte 26. Roma 27. Santes Creus 28. Tauro 29. Vall d’Aro 30. Vilanova Park 31. Yuste. Four camping / rural sites have been awarded with a Solcamp label for the utilization of solar thermal systems for the productionof sanitary hot water: 1. Platja Vilanova 2. Racó de Mar 3. Casa El Doncel 4. Camping Parque Natural de Monfragüe Camping and rural sites have received a brochure on Solcamp label and camping guests have been provided with a brochure on Solcamp project and the advantages associated to the utilization of solar thermal systems. Depaex has organised an International Seminar on Solcamp project in Wels (Austria) on 7th March 2008, within the framework of the event “World Sustainable Energy Days”. The seminar was focused on the following issues: - Introduction to Solcamp project objectives, activities and results - SolarCheck tools - Solcamp project results - Experience of solar thermal industry - Open discussion on barriers and challenges of European solar thermal market. The implementation of Solcamp project in Spain is a success, as testified by the results achieved in Extremadura and outside the region (Cataluña). Camping sites and solar firms have been informed and involved in the project’s activities, professional of solar firms have been trained, awareness on solar thermal energy benefits has been raised among camping guests, finally new solar thermal systems have been installed, thus con‐tributing to increasing the substitution of fossil energy through solar thermal energy in Spain.

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Portugal ARECBA Address: Praceta Rainha Dona Leonor, n° 1 Apardo 70, 7801‐953 Beja website: www.arecba.pt email: geral@arecba.pt telephone: +35 128 432 67 36

ARECBA actively participated in the maintenance of the Project website (Portuguese ver‐sion), assuring with this that all the main public targets of the project get all the informa‐tion and its development during the project. For that, the following contents have been actualized: Project description Developed activities Document production Inquiries (camping sites and companies) Newsletters Besides these, all the coordination project activities in Portugal were assured by ARECBA. ARECBA intended to get knowledge and characterize the camping sites sector in Portu‐gal. For that, inquiries were sent to the main target groups of the project: camping sites and solar energy technologies companies. With the information collected and analysed, was produced a document (Annexe: “Caracterização do Sector dos Parques de Camp‐ismo”). Simultaneously, it was possible to produce 2 list, one with camping sites and an‐other one with companies. These lists are being released in project website (www.solcamp.eu) and ARECBA’s website (www.arecba.pt). We promoted 3 regional seminars in Beja, Guarda and Fuseta, between companies and Camping sites. The main purpose was the experience and know‐how exchange, showing the advantages of solar thermal energy in camping sites. Within the third Work Package main purpose was the development of a technological software tool for the scaling of solar systems in camping sites. ARECBA’s participation was in the adaptation of data for the Portuguese reality and in software Manual transla‐tion. In the fourth work package “Preparation of campaign” ARECBA allowed the access to camping sites and solar companies, a digital version in Portuguese of the Manual “Siste‐mas de Energia Solar Térmica em Parques de Campismo”.

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Fig. 24 The manual Training SolarCheckers ARECBA together with Spanish partner participated in Solarchecker training seminars and for the training in Portugal, developed a special document “Formação Parques de Campismo”. This document was provided in e‐learning to the camping sites participating in the project: Serpa, Castro Verde, Praia da Galé, Monte Gordo, Porto Covo e Fuzeta and to the solar companies: Microsolar, Enat e Javra. Campaigning From this Work Package, the following products were done: ‐ Leaflet for Camping sites (send together with the inquiries) ‐ Leaflet for campers (send to camping sites to be available) ‐ Realization of 6 energy audits to camping sites, with the application of T*sol pro‐gramme for the scaling of solar energy systems. From these audits, were produced 6 re‐port suggesting technical interventions in camping sites, allowing the acquaintance of solar energy and environmental advantage of these systems. From the data collected during these audits, it was possible to say that we could reach an environmental value of 5 tons of CO2 ,which means that it was possible to avoid its re‐lease to atmosphere and an energy economy of 3,38 MWh, by the application of these solar systems.

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Dissemination and Common dissemination Project promotion and dissemination was achieved with the participation of ARECBA in regional events, regional and national seminars, thought the news in local and regional newsletters, publication of project newsletter in municipal websites, and regional media. Problems found during the project and the solutions found to solve them In the beginning of the project, the main difficulty was the process of getting answers to the enquiries sent to camping sites and companies. The reason for this is, in our opinion, related to several aspects: - In this sector, the main purpose is to achieve public’s satisfaction and the establish‐ment of partnerships is sometimes relegated to second plan; - The main justification of camping owners for “not‐invest” is that the dimension and the occupation level don’t justify the initial investment; - Several camping sites were in works of construction or in reshuffle processes; - This sector it’s not well organized at national or regional level, contributing to the fact that the overcome of partnership’s it’s not common; - The bad experiences that occurred in the past with solar energy in Portugal make difficult the approach of companies of solar equipment with civil society; - The fact that this European Programme doesn’t contemplate material acquisition was referred as one of the reasons to not answer’s to the send enquiries; - Only now Portugal is awakening to energy as a future problem of “Men Kind” The resolution of this problem came with the ARECBA’s insistence to the need of re‐sponse from the camping sites. But several difficulties were felt to overcome this project and the achieved conclusions and figures found by the several partner projects are very different.

„Thermal Solar Energy Systems

for Camping Sites“

A guide for using solar energy – for camping site owners and installers

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Preface Energy will become more expensive and solar energy will become an economical alternative Against the backdrop of the current energy price development and climate change the use of solar energy gain in importance. The sun sends no invoice and offers a cost-effective, environment-friendly and sustainable alternativ to the expensive heat production by fossil fuels. The conversion of solar irradiation in heat is one of the most efficient technologies of using solar energy. Solar thermal systems for producing hot water or for supporting the room heating are state of the art in the sector of one and two familiy houses. Beside this a number of applications can be found where the use of solar energy is predestined. Without any doubt one of them is the hot water production at a camping site. The reasons for that are obvious: The coincidence of the solar energy supply and hot water demand as well as the environment friendly character make a camping site one of the most suitable applications for solar thermal technics. Despite the increasing economial potential solar thermal systems at camping sites are more the exception. For this the German Society for Solar Energy (DGS) and the German Assosation for camping site owners (BVCD) togehter with partners in Europe have launched the project SOLCAMP. This manual is part of the project campaigning material. It shall provide detailed information on the state of the art, the dimensioning of systems, the costs and benefits of solar thermal systems for heating water at camping sites. The SOLCAMP information tools are adressed to camping site owners as well as to installers. We hope that the use of the sun as an environmently friendly and economical energy source although will be developed in the camping branch. The project SOLCAMP will contribute to a strengthening of the craft that the solar systems will be realized optimal for supporting the camping industry too. DGS International Solar Energy Society – German Section

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Content Page Preface 2 Chapter 1 – Introduction 2 1.1 Why using solar energy? 5 1.2 Why application Camping site? 5

1.3 The SOLCAMP Project 6 1.3.1 Target and target groups 6 1.3.2 Consortium 7 1.3.3 Action plan 7 Chapter 2 - Solar Thermal Systems for Camping Sites 7 2.1 Basic Conditions 8 2.1.1 Irradiation 8 2.1.1 Roofage and boiler room 8 2.1.2 Hot water production 9

2.2 Components 10 2.2.1 Collectors 10 2.2.2 Solar circuit 12 2.2.3 Storages 12

2.3 Systems 14 2.3.1 Thermosyphon system 14 2.3.2 One or two storage system 14 2.3.3 System with buffer and drinking water storages 15 Chapter 3 - Planning and Dimensioning 15 3.1 Basic parameters 15 3.1.1 Solar fraction and system efficiency 15 3.1.2 Orientation of roofage 16 3.1.3 Relevance and handling of shading 17 3.1.4 Hot water demand 17

3.2 Dimensioning 18 3.2.1 Rules of thumbs for collector area and storage volume 18 3.3 The T*SOLCAMP software 19 3.3.1 Features 19 3.3.2 Calculation Examples 19

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Chapter 4 - Installation of solar thermal systems 21 4.1 Useful tips for mounting 21 4.1.1 Mounting the collectors 22 4.1.2 Mounting the solar circuit 25 4.1.3 Mounting the storages 26 4.1.4 Flushing and filling the solar circuit 27

4.2 Commissioning, Service and maintenance 27 4.2.1 Commissioning 29 4.2.2 Service and maintenance 29 Chapter 5 - Costs and yields 30 5.1 Specific system costs 30 5.1.1 Costs for the components 31 5.1.2 Costs for mounting 32

5.2 Energy balance and yields 32

5.3 Solar and fossile heat generation costs 33 Chapter 6 - Good practice examples 35 Appendix 37 The SOLCAMP check list 38

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Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 Why using solar energy?

People use Sun energy since their very beginning. Without Sun, our existence on the planet would not be possible. Directly or indirectly, all the energy that we use comes from the Sun – it irradiates 15.000 more energy than we use. Plants grow with Sun’s irradiation, and this way produce food for the animals. Plants and animals that have decomposed millions of years ago without air resulted in oil, gas and coal. In other words – fossil fuels that we use today represent Sun energy that was stored long time ago. Even nuclear energy comes from the Sun – Uranium that we use is product of a star explosion (nova) that happened long time ago.

The sun gives us energy in two forms: light and heat. People have been using the sun's energy to make their homes brighter and warmer for centuries. Today, special equipment and specially designed homes can more effectively capture solar energy for light and heat. By using solar energy, we can make our homes more comfortable, while taking into account many advantages of Sun energy: lowering dependency on fossil fuels, improving air quality, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, while production and maintenance of solar systems stimulates new working places and enterprise development. And very important, Sun doesn’t send you energy bill at the end of the month – once equipment is installed, Sun energy is free. Two most popular technologies for using solar energy include thermal water heating and solar photovoltaic (PV) modules: Solar thermal collectors capture the sun's heat for space heating and/or hot water heating. Collectors are typically installed on the roofs. Most solar collectors are boxes, frames, or rooms that contain these parts:

o clear covers that let in solar energy o dark surfaces inside called absorbers, that soak up heat o insulation materials to prevent heat from escaping o vents or pipes that carry the heated air or liquid from inside the collector to

where it can be used or stored.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules produce electricity from the sun's light energy. You are probably familiar with the PV cells that power many watches and calculators. The cells are combined into modules, and they typically produce direct current (DC) electricity which is the same type of current produced by batteries. Since most household appliances run on alternating current (AC), an inverter is used to change the DC electricity to AC. Electricity produced from PV modules can be used in very different ways like lighting, household electrical devices, for powering cars on solar drive or simply stored in accumulator. Using solar energy is business in big expansion – in last five years photovoltaic sales are growing at 40 to 50% a year worldwide, while solar thermal grows by 35% in Europe. Today 49% of the European energy demand is used for heating and cooling purposes, a large part of which could be produced using solar thermal systems. According to the scientists and companies, the standards in 2030 will see the majority of new buildings being heated exclusively using solar thermal energy and existing buildings being modernized with solar elements. This will allow more than 50% of the heating requirements to be covered using solar energy.

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Hot water demand Solar radiation

1.2 Why application camping site? Camping sites represent one of the most suitable applications for solar thermal systems. Not only the hot water demand at camping sites and the solar energy supply coincide almost perfectly – during the peak season from May until October approx. 75 % of annual irradiation occurs – but also the owners and clients of camping sites show environmentally friendly behaviour and are in the most cases promoters of sustainable development at local level. It need not to be stressed, that the solar thermal systems at camping sites serve as good demonstration models for the clients thus contributing themselves as multipliers to further diffusion of this technology. In addition camping guests love being close to nature. They appreciate fresh air, clear water and a beautiful landscape. Therefore for a camping site an intact nature is an essential requirement for satisfied guests and economic success. Fig. 1 Coincidence of solar irradiation and hot water demand on a camping site 1.3 The SOLCAMP Project Although obviously the producing of hot water by solar thermal system is especially for camping sites an economical solution, the utilisation of solar thermal systems at camping sites is more or less an exceptional case rather than routine. Even there are numerous granting and supporting programmes offering attractive financial support in many European regions, sometimes extra dedicated to camping sites, the response is rather poor. Not only in the North European countries but also in more southern or even Mediterranean regions with high yield of isolation solar thermal systems are not a common system for producing hot water at camping sites. The SOLCAMP project aims an increase of solar thermal installations on camping sites. The project is cofinanced be the European Commission within the frame of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme and has a duration of 28 month (January 2006 until April 2008).

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1.3.1 Target and target groups The SOLCAMP project aims at significant increase of solar thermal systems use by camping sites. It is expected that after the termination of the project on average additional 10 % of all camping sites in participating regions will be equipped with such systems. This goal will be achieved by targeted marketing and introduction of SolarCheckCamping as standardized, neutral consultant tool in close co-operation with local and regional camping and handicraft associations. SolarCheckCamping will provide the owners of camping sites with information and basic planning data for their site free of producers' interest. It will serve as fundamental document for the investment decision. Owners of camping sites are the primary target group of the SOLCAMP project. The promotion campaign for solar thermal systems is directed towards this group in each of participating regions. Another target group are skilled persons dealing with planning and/or installation of heating systems. They will be trained so as to be able to perform "SolarCheckCamping" audit. Training courses will give them good opportunities for feed-back and an active involvement in the project. 1.3.2 The Consortium Beside DGS (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie) as coordinator of the project and BVCD and Valentin on the German side international partners came from Poland (ECBREC), Austria (ESV) , Slovenia (ITI and ApE), Croatia (DOOR), Italy (AGIRE, PEPS, ESCOS, APEA), Spain (DEPAEX) and Portugal (ARECBA). 1.3.3 Activities The implementation of the SOLCAMP project will be performed following the identical patterns in all the project regions. As for the exchange of information and experiences among the project partners and regions a common project web site including newsletters will be created. Following main activities are foreseen:

- Status quo analysis (List of interested camping sites, list of solar firms, grant schemes etc. )

- Establishment of a local/regional network consisting of project participants and other relevant stakeholders

- Based on simulation software T*SOL a low-priced version for local/regional use will be produced. This software represents the main tool to be used by solar checkers.

- Training of "SolarCheckers" in each of the region. - System check by independent expert and "SolCamp" awarding procedure.

The activities will be published on the project website www.solcamp.eu respectively on the national SOLCAMP websites..

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Chapter 2 - Solar Thermal Systems for Camping Sites 2.1 Basic Conditions Before using solar energy on camping sites one has to consider the relevant boundary conditions, namely the amount of irradiation at the location, the possibility of mounting the necessary collector area on the roofage, mounting the fitting storage in a suitable room and the possibility of combining the existing heating system with a solar thermal one. 2.1.1 Irradiation

Definitions and nature of solar radiation The energy radiated by the sun is the result of thermonuclear fusion, in which the hydrogen is transformed into helium. The Sun “has been working”, with the same capacity, since 5 billions years continually, so we can take the assumption, that the solar radiation will be source of energy and life on earth for the next several billions years. Unlike to the fossil fuels, which resources will last only for next several dozen years (crude oil) or several hundreds years (coal), we can suppose that the Sun will be inexhaustible source of energy. The solar radiation is simultaneously the renewable energy source because during the next billions years, day after day, it will be reaching the earth spontaneously. Utilization of solar energy radiation is, contrary to the fossil fuels usage (which was created in previous periods by energy sun as well, but is consuming once and irrevocable), the self-supporting process and not diminishing the energy resources for the future generations. In practice, the quantity of solar radiation energy on the ground surface is expressed by the density of flux radiation (irradiance) on a surface unit and it is denoted by: I – global irradiance; Ib – direct irradiance; Id – diffuse irradiance. The unit of solar flux radiation density is W/m2. From the point of solar energy view, the most important parameters, which determining theoretical potential and practical possibility of solar energy usage, are: irradiance (temporary values) expressed in W/m2, and irradiation that is the solar radiation energy reached the ground surface unit, during the specified time (hour, day, month, year) and expressed in J/m2 or kWh/m². Solar irradiation in Europe The distribution of solar irradiation in Europe is shown in fig. 2.

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Fig. 2. The yearly sum of global irradiation on a horizontal surface in kWh/m² (Source: PVGIS © European Communities, 2001-2008)

The yearly sum of the solar radiation varies between 800 – 1.000 kWh/m² in the northern European countries and 1.400-1.700 kWh/m² in the mediterrenean countries of Europe. 2.1.1 Roofage and boiler room Right at the start of system planning it is important to record accurately the conditions at the site (see checklist Appendix A). In case of the roofage one has to clearify the following points:

- Is there enough roofage for the planned collector field? - Is the roofage where the collectors should be mounted shaded by trees, parts of the

building or other buildings? - Can the roof be walked on (fragile tiles)? - Flat roof: bearing load of roof skin (fragile roof)?

The other important conditions to check are related to the transport and mounting of the boiler (s) into the boiler room:

- Hight of solar installation space? - Diameter and dimension of the tilted store? - Minimum door width? - How will the solar storage (s) be transported to reach the installation location?

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2.1.2 Hot water production On camping sites the production of hot water is normally managed by a central hot water heating system consisting of a heater driven by oil or gas in combination with one ore more storages filled with domestic hot water. In case of a longer distance from the storage to the showers a secondary circulation pipe is installed. The volume of the storage is large enough to content the daily hot water demand so the heater will load the storage once a day. The integration of a solar thermal system into the existing hot water system requires in most cases the hydraulic connection via external heat exchangers in combination with additional buffer or domestic hot water storages. In this context one has to check whether the existing storage is suitable for integration into the solar system. 2.2 Components 2.2.1 Collectors Unglazed collectors The simplest kind of solar collectors are unglazed collectors. They have no glazing or insulated collector box, so that they consist only of an absorber. Unglazed collectors can be found in erster Linie for heating swimming pool water but also at camping sites in the mediterrainean regions without freezing temperatures absorbers could be used.

Fig. 3 Example of absorber and absorber installation by the sea Glazed flat-plate collectors Almost all glazed flat-plate collectors currently available on the market consist of a Fig. 5 metal absorber in a flat rectangular housing. The collector is thermally insulated on its back and edges, and is provided with a transparent cover on the upper surface. Two pipe connections for the supply and return of the heat transfer medium are fitted, usually to the side of the collector.

Fig. 4 Section through a glazed flat-plate collector

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The task of the collector is to achieve the highest possible thermal yield. The absorber is therefore provided with a high light-absorption capacity and the lowest possible thermal emissivity. This is achieved by using a spectral-selective coating.

Fig. 5 Absorption and emission behaviour of different surfaces Vacuum collectors To reduce the thermal losses in a collector, glass cylinders (with internal absorbers) are evacuated in a similar way to Thermos flasks. In order to completely suppress thermal losses through convection, the volume enclosed in the glass tubes must be evacuated to less than 10-2 bar. For evacuated tube collectors the abdsorber is installed as either flat or upward-vauted metal strips or as a couating applied to an internal glass bulb in an evacuated glass tube. As the area required by vacuum collectors is 1/3 less compared to flat-plate collectors, vacuum collectors at camping sites may be selected if the roofage is not big enough for installing the necessary area by flat-plate collectors.

Fig. 6 The principle of vacuum thermal insulation and cross section view of the Sydney tube (CPC)

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2.2.2 Solar circuit The heat generated in the collector is transported to the solar store by means of the solar circuit. This consists of the following elements:

- the insulated pipelines, which connect the collectors on the rrof and the stores - the solar liquid or transport medium, which transports the heat from the collector to

the store - the solar pump, which circulates the solar liquid in the solar circuit (thermosyphon

and ICS systems have no pump) - the solar circuit heat exchanger (external or internal), which transfers the heat

gained to the domestic hot water in the store - the fittings and equipment for filling, emptying and bleeding - the safety equipment. The expansion vessel and safety valve protect the system from

damage (leakage) by volume expansion or high pressures.

Fig. 7 External heat exchanger and return-flow preventers

Fig. 8 Different operating conditions in membrane expansion vessels 2.2.3 Storages The energy supplied by the sun cannot be influenced, and rarely matches the times when the heat is required although the hot water consumption profile through the month shows good coincidence with the solar irradiation (see fig. 1). We differentiate heat sores with domestic hot water and those filled with heating water (buffer stores). Domestic hot water stores comprise two heat exchangers for two heat sources (bivalent): a solar heat exchanger and an additional heat exchanger for the heating boiler.

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Fig. 9 Upright model solar tank with auxiliary heat exchanger Buffer stores can be vented or unvented and filled with heating water. The heat stored in them can be either directly fed into the heating system (heating support) or transferred via a heat exchanger to the domestic hot water .

Fig. 10 Buffer storage with loading possibility in different heights

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2.3 Systems 2.3.1 Thermosyphon system Thermosyphon systems do not require pumps, in this case gravity is used for liquid transport, whereas systems with forced circulation require circulation pumps for this purpose. Depending on the hot water demand more or less thermosyphon systems could be combined. Thermosyphon systems are in Southern Europe the most common type.

Fig. 11 Thermosyphon systems 2.3.2 One or two storage system

Fig. 12 One and two storage systems The one storage system is the classical one for standard solar systems and is applicable only for rather small camping sites (up to ~50 pitches). The domestic water has to be heated once a day up to 60°C in case of thermal desinfection. If the camping site is bigger the storage volume has to be extended and therefore the installation of two or more storages has to be performed. In that way a serial hydraulical connection should be realized. If the storages are filled with domestic water a thermal desinfection has to be performed too.

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2.3.3 System with buffer and domestic water storages

Fig. 13 System with buffer ans standby storage and a fresh-water station For larger camping sites wher several thousands of litres of storage volume will be necessary, a partition into buffer and domestic hot water stores will be suitable. One advantage of this system is that only the smaller stand by tank filled with domestic water has to be heated once a day for thermal desinfection. Beside delivering the domestic hot water from a standby tank it may also be produced by a fresh-water-station through a highly efficient external heat exchanger. Chapter 3 – Planning and Dimensioning 3.1 Basic parameters 3.1.1 Solar fraction and system efficiency The common design objective is that a solar water heater for a camping site should cover a high percentage (>60%) during the operation period by means of solar energy. This will have the effect that the heating boiler can remain dormant during most of the period. In this way not only the environment is protected, but also money is saved and the life of the heating boiler is extended. The degree of solar energy input will be described by the parameter solar fraction (SF) as the ratio of solar heat yield to the total energy requirement for hot water heating and the ration of solar heat yield to the global irradiance by the system efficiency (SE): SF = Qs/(Qs+Qaux) x 100 SE = Qs/(EGA) x 100 Qs = solar heat yield (kWh/a) Qaux = auxiliary heating requirement (kWh/a) EG = total yearly solar irradiance (kWh/a) A = absorber surface area (m²) The system efficiency is strongly dependent on the solar fraction. If the solar fraction is increased by increasing the collector area, the system efficiency is reduced, and every further kilowatt-hour that is gained becomes more expensive. This counter-effect of the two variables can be seen in figure 14.

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Fig. 14 Solar fraction and system efficiency 3.1.2 Orientation of the roofage What about the influence of roof alignment and inclination on the insolation? Figure xy shows the values measured in central Europe for the calculated average annual totals of global solar irradiance for differently orientated surfaces. Lines of equal radiation totals are shown in kWh/m² per year. On the horizontal axis the alignment can be read off and on the vertical axis the angle of inclination can be seen.

Fig. 15 Annual total global solar irradiation for differently orientated receiving surfaces

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According to the annual average, optimum irradiance occurs with a southern alignment (α=0°) and an inclination of β=30°. The graph also shows that a deviation from the optimum alignment can be tolerated over wide ranges, as no significant losses of radiation are involved. Roughly speaking, for central Europe regions (latitudes of about 50°N) any collector angle between 30° and 60° in combination with an orientation between south-east and south-west will give almost optimal irradiance. 3.1.3 Relevance and handling of shading Shading reduces the yield of a solar thermal system. To take account of shading of the receiving surface by the surroundings (houses, trees etc.) different methods could be obtained. Beside graphical and photographic methods the most common and for camping sites most suitable procedures is the computer-aided method. Several simulation programs are provided with shade simulators, for instance T*SOL, getsolar, sundi. After determining the elevation and azimuth angles of important objects, the influence of shade can be directly calculated within the scope of the system simulation. This method yields more accurate results than the previous mentioned two methods. In case of T*SOLcamp (see chapter 3.3) shading could be considered by selecting one of the offered shading scenarios. 3.1.4 Hot water demand The hot water consumption of the guests on a camping site is a key variable for system planning, and if cannot be measured, it should be estimated as closely as possible. Not only the amount of hot water is of interest but the hot water consumption-profile too. When determining the requirements, a check should be made on the possibilities of saving domestic water (for example by the use of water- and energy-saving fittings). A lower water temperature means a smaller energy system and hence a lower investment. However, it is not possible to estimate the hot water consumption of a camping site accurately, as individual differences are enormous due to the different number and distribution of tourist and permanent pitches, different sanitary equipments (more or less luxury) etc. If the yearly energy consumption for the hot water production is known one can recalculate the yearly amount of hot water by the following procedure: QHW = Efos x f x µsys VHW = QHW / (cw x dT) QHW = Measured heat requirement (kWh/a) Efos = Amount of fuel consumption per year in m³ Gas or Litres Oil f = exchange factor converting m³ gas or litres oil to kWh µsys = efficiency of the heating system (-) VHW = hot water quantity (l/a or kg/a) cw = specific heat capacity of water (= 1.16 Wh/kgK) dT = temperature difference between hot and cold water (K)

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Example: The energy consumption of Gas for producing hot water is 7.500 m³ per year. The hot water temperature (required storage temperature) is 55°C, the mean cold water temperature is 15°C. The heating system consists of a heater with a system efficiency of 80%. QHW = 7.500 m³/a x 10 kWh/m³ x 0,8 = 60.000 kWh/a VHW = 60.000 kWh/a / (1.16 Wh/kgK x 40 K) = 1.293.000 kg/a = 1.293 m³/a = 3.542 litres/d (55°C) If there are no data of energy consumption available experience shows that the daily mean hot water consumption on a camping site varies from 15 – 30 litres (60°C) per pitch and day. A mean of 20 litres (60°C) per day will be a first assumption. A typical hot water consumption profile (yearly, weekly and daily) of a camping site is shown in fig. 16.

Fig. 16 Typical hot water consumption profile on a camping site 3.2 Dimensioning The overall objective dimensioning a solar system for a camping site is to determine the appropriate collector surface area and storage volume for covering the hot water demand during the summer months by a high solar fraction of about 75%. 3.2.1 Rules of thumb for collector surface area and storage volume Experience has shown that the following rough determination of collector surface area and buffer storage volume meets the overall objective of high degree of solar fraction without producing non utilizable surpluses in the very sunny month: 0,2 - 0,3 m² flat plate collector per pitch 50 - 100 litres buffer storage volume per m² collector surface area This based on experience thumb of rule is useful for a first check whether the roofage of the sanitary building is large enough. A more accurate calculation could be performed with suitable computer software like T*SOL camp (see next chapter).

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3.3 The T*SOLcamp software T*SOLcamp is the quick and easy design programme for solar thermal water systems. It has been developed within the frame of the SOLCAMP project by the German partner Valentin Energiesoftware GmbH. It is the right choice for Solarchekers who need a reliable tool to design solar thermal systems quickly and precisely. A number of different systems can be selected for hot water supply. The programme is user-friendly, taking you through a few simple steps with clearly laid-out dialogues, allowing you to work quickly and efficiently. 3.3.1 Features With T*SOLcamp you can use the symbols in the simple navigation bar to go directly to the corresponding position in the programme. You can also use the Continue and Back buttons to work through the programme from start to finish, so that you don't miss any entries.T*SOLcamp offers you a selection of 4 different systems for calculation. For hot water supply, there is a thermosyphon system, a bivalent (twin coil) system with one storage tank and a two-tank system with a solar and stand-by tank as well as a large-Scale System. T*SOLcamp is a reliable planning tool which calculates the collector area and storage tank volume, so that dimensioning errors are avoided. The required number of collectors, selected from five different collector types, is determined by inputting the hot water requirement or the number of piches in the camping site. T*SOLcamp has a large selection of climate data for locations in Europe and worldwide. After entering the inclination and orientation, a detailed yield calculation is carried out for the selected system components. The calculation is based on the calculation algorithms in T*SOL®. T*SOLcamp produces a simple project report for your customers with clear presentation of the system data and results, as well as a system overview. The report can either be printed out or sent as an e-mail attachment in pdf format. 3.3.2 Calculation Example A solar thermal system for a camping site has to be calculated. The boundary conditions are the following: - Location of the site: City of Wuerzburg - operation period: 1st April until 31st October - Number of pitches: 160 - Hot water demand: 20 litres per day (45°C) and per pitch - Roofage of the sanitary house: inclination 40°, orientation South (0°) - Existing hot water system: Gas-heater, 2.000 liter domestic hot water storage - Calculation objective: DHW solar fraction of 60%

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Calculation results (see fig. 17, 18): To achieve 60% DHW solar fraction a second storage has to be installed (Volume 4.000 litres) and a collector surface area of 59 m² of flat-plate collectors is needed. The yearly natural gas savings are about 2.045 m³ , the reduction of CO2-Emission is about 4,3 tons per year.

Fig 17: Summary report of T*SOLcamp calculation

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Fig. 18 Monthly results of the calculation

4. Installation of solar thermal systems

4.1 Useful tips for mounting The final establishment of the collector position, the pipe routes through the house and the location of the store must be agreed with the customer. The transport route for the collector is established, sensitive components are secured (for example a glass installation beneath the transport route, or using planking to protect the mounting position on the roof from falling objects), and paths are blocked of as necessary. The materials and tools required for installation are transported to the garage or cellar (if available) and stored there.

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4.1.1 Mounting the collectors In principle, collectors can be:

• Mounted on a sloping roof • Integrated into a pitched roof • Set up on a flat roof or free surface

Mounting on a sloping roof

Fig. 19 Flat plate collectors mounted on a roof – Camping site on Island Fehmarn

The advantages of on-roof installation are as follows:

• Fast and simple installation, therefore cheaper • Roof skin remains closed

The advantages of on-roof installation are as follows:

• Additional roof load (approximately 20-25 kg/m² of collector surface for flat collectors and 15-20 kg/m² for evacuated tube collectors)

• Visually not so attractive as in-roof installation • Piping partly installed above roof (weather influence, bird damage)

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Integration into a pitched roof

Fig. 20 In-roof-installation The advantages of in-roof installation are as follows:

• No additional roof loads are applied. • It is visually more appealing (roof covering frames can be obtained in different

colours from the manufacturers). • Pipes are laid beneath the roof cover. • Saving of roof tiles (new build), reserve tiles (old build).

The disadvantages of in-roof installation are as follows:

• More expensive materials and mounting work. • The roof skin is ‘broken through’, creating possible weak points. • There is a possible need to transport excess tiles away (costs). • It is less flexible: because of the covering frames there must be greater distance from

ridge tiles, window and chimney surrounds.

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Mounting on a flat roof

Fig. 21 Flat plate collectors set up on a flat roof In principle, collectors on flat roofs should be set up at an appropriate angle. For this purpose, flat roof stands are available made of galvanized steel or aluminium with the corresponding setting angles. Because of the surfaces that are exposed to the wind, these collectors must be secured from lifting ub and falling, or from sliding. There are three options:

• Counterweights (concrete threshold, gravel troughs, box section sheet with gravel filling). Approx 100-250 kg/m² of collector surface for flat collectors and about 70-180 kg/m² for heat pipe collectors (maximum 8 m mounting height above ground level according to building height); beyond this larger loads are necessary.

• Securing with thin guy ropes. The precondition for this is the availability of suitable fixing points.

• Anchoring to the flat roof. Here a suitable number of supports are screwed to the roof and sealed. Bearers are fitted to these supports, on which the flat roof stands that carry the collectors are mounted.

In every case the bearing strength of the roof must be checked first. For the horizontal installation of vacuum tube collectors there are two options for aligning the collectors:

• Tubes longitudinal facing the equator, absorber horizontal • Tubes transverse facing the equator, absorbers adjusted by about 20-30°.

Anchoring or fixing with guy ropes is not necessary; only counterweights are required on building protection mats (approx 40 kg/m² depending on height).

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The advantages are:

• Fast and simple installation (low installation costs) • No stand costs

• No penetration of roof skin at the fixing points • Low roof loading because of lighter counterweights, as there are lower wind loads • In the case of listed buildings the collector field can be installed so that it cannot be

seen. The disadvantages are:

• Higher costs for evacuated tube collectors • Lower yield when the sun is at low level.

4.1.2 Mounting the solar circuit The well proven materials and connecting techniques used for classical heating and sanitary fittings can be used for installing the solar circuit, as long as they meet the following requirements:

• Temperatures of over 100°C may arise • The solar medium is a water-glycol mixture in the ratio 60:40 • Fittings are mounted externally

Other points to note:

• With such high temperatures, plastic tubes cannot be used because of their poor temperature resistance.

• Glycol in connection with zinc leads to the formation of slime. • The use of steel tubes is possible in principle, but they are expensive to process

(welding, bending, cutting, cutting threads, applying hemp). They are used for larger solar energy systems.

• Stainless steel corrugated pipe is rarely used. It is mainly used for self-build installation, as in this case it is possible to dispense with soldering. In any case it is more expensive than copper pipe.

• Copper pipes have become popular for small systems. Common types of connection are hard and soft soldering. Various solders and fluxes are available for this.

Soft soldering is permitted up to a permanent temperature load of 110°C. As higher temperatures are present in the solar circuit, hard soldering is frequently demanded. Further connection techniques are:

• Press fittings. Using a pressing clamp, the press fittings (made of copper with sealing elements of EPDM) cannot be released, and are linked with the copper pipe. This technique is also used for stainless steel pipes.

• A clamping ring connection. This is releasable screw connection, which is reliable, and temperature- and glycol-resistant.

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What needs to be considered when installing the pipes?

• Select the shortest possible paths. • Lay the lowest possible length of pipe in the external area (high heat losses, more

expensive thermal insulation). • Allow sufficient space for retrofitting the thermal insulation. • Provide ventilation options (a sufficient number with good accessibility). • Make sure that the system can be completely emptied. • In the case of long straight pipe runs (from Approximately 15 m) install expansion

bends. • Provide sound insulation.

Never forget the thermal insulation. The heat gained into the collector has to be delivered to the store with the least possible losses. The thermal insulation of the pipes is therefore very important. Essential factors are:

• Sufficient insulation thickness (up to DN20: 20 mm, from DN22 to DN35: 30 mm, for greater diameter the insulation thickness equals the nominal width of the pipe, with thermal conductivity, λ = 0,04 W/mK)

• No gaps in the insulation (also insulate fittings, tank connections etc.) • Correct selection of material (temperature resistance, UV and weather resistance, low

heat capacity values).

4.1.3 Mounting the storages The loading capacity of the floor has to be considered (store weight including the water volume). If the store is mounted on the ceiling, the ceiling may have to be strengthened or the load be distributed if necessary. The diameter of the tank is restricted by the smallest door on the way to the installation location. Removable thermal insulation is an advantage, as the store narrower and can therefore be transported more easily. Enamelled tanks are sensitive to impact. The height of the tank is determined by the free height at the installation location, because waste water or heating pipes can reduce the height. The dimension of the store when tilted must also be considered. Combined stores, stratified, direct and single-coil stores with a downstream-compatible heater are sometimes installed. If there is any doubt about the best option, the manufacturer’s technical advice service should be contacted. This is always better than having to modify the system later when it is found not to function correctly. Never forget the thermal insulation. Apart from using a high-quality insulating material (k-value of about 0.3 W/m²K) it is also important to ensure good installation:

• Use thermal insulation for the base area of the tank. • Use a closely fitting insulation jacket. • Reinforce the upper cover thickness to a minimum of 15 cm.

Insulate without gaps the pipe connections, flanges and stoppers.

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4.2 Commissioning, Service and maintenance 4.2.1 Commissioning The necessary steps to start up a solar thermal system are:

• Flush out the solar circuit • Check for leaks • Fill with solar liquid • Set pumps and controllers

Flushing out the solar circuit A thorough flushing process removes dirt and residual flux from the solar circuit. Flushing should not be carried out in full sunshine or during frost, as there is a risk of evaporation or freezing. The flushing process initially takes place via valves 1 and 2 (see fig. 22). Valve 1 is connected to the cold water line by a hose; a further hose on valve 2 is laid to the drain. All fittings in the solar circuit should be set to through flow (gravity brake, shut-off tabs). Finally, in order to flush out the heat exchanger valve 2 is closed, after attaching a hose to it valve 4 is opened, and valve 3 is closed. The flushing process should last for about 10 minutes.

Fig. 22 Solar circuit with fittings for flushing and filling-flushing process

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Leak testing The pressure test takes place after flushing. For this purpose valve 4 is closed, and the system is filled with water through valve 1. The system pressure is then raised to a valve just below the response pressure of the safety valve – maximum 6 bar. Then valve 1 is closed, the pump is manually started, and the solar circuit is vented via the vents or the pump (vent screw). If the pressure falls significantly as a result of bleeding, it must be increased again by additional filling. The system is now ready to be tested for leaks (visually and by hand). A leak test using the pressure gauge is not possible because of irradiation-caused pressure variations over the course of a day. At the end of the leak test the function of the safety valve can be tested by increasing the pressure further. The solar circuit should finally be fully emptied again by opening taps 1 and 2. By measuring the amount of water that runs out it is possible to establish the amount of antifreeze required to make up a water-antifreeze mixture or for example 60:40. As some water always stays in the solar circuit(for example in the collectors or the heat exchanger) the measured amount of water should be correspondingly increased. Filling with solar liquid After mixing the antifreeze concentrate with water to achieve the desired level of frost protection (or using pre-mixed antifreeze) the solar liquid is pumped into the solar circuit through valve 1. As the solar liquid – compared with water – is much more likely to creep, it is necessary to recheck the system for leaks. A general procedure to release the air from the solar liquid is as follows – but check the installation instructions for the specific product, as differences may occur.

• When pumping the solar liquid in the system and the mixing container, a large part of the air is already removed. To be effective the ends of the hoses must be completely submerged in the liquid. When no more air bubbles come out, valve 4 can be closed.

• Reduce the pressure to system pressure (=static pressure + 0.5 bar) plus an allowance for pressure loss through further bleeding.

• Switch on the circulating pump. Switch it on and off several times at 10 minute intervals.

• To bleed the circulating pump, unscrew the brass screw on the face. An alternative method of bleeding the system can be used where there does not need to be a top vent. The high rate of flow takes the air bubbles down with it again. The system is bleed in this case via a vent bottle, which is integrated into the feed line of the solar station. In this bottle the relatively high flow rate of 60 l/m²h is severely reduced owing to the increase in cross-section. The air gathering in the upper area of the vent bottle can be discharged through a manual vent. If the pressure falls below the system pressure as a result of bleeding, solar liquid should be added accordingly. After several days the shut-off tap under the vent is then closed. Setting the pump and controller The volumetric flow in small systems is usually about 40 l/m²h (high-flow operation); in systems with stratified stores it is 15 l/m²h (low-flow operation). The pump should be capable of generating the pressure required in its medium performance range. With full irradiation, this leads to a temperature difference between the feed and return lines of

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about 10-15 K in high-flow operation and 30-50 K in low-flow operation. The actual volumetric flow can be controlled with the help of a taco-setter or a flow meter. The switch-on temperature difference of 5-10 K and the switch-off difference (hysteresis) of about 2 K should be set on the controller. In this way, on the one hand the heat generated in the controller is transferred to the store at a useful temperature level, and on the other hand no unnecessary pump energy is used. 4.2.2 Monitoring and Maintenance Well sized and a well done solar system requires little maintenance to the long one of the time of life of its functioning. However, the proprietor of the installation must request not inferior guarantees the 6 years, having the proprietor to negotiate with the installer a contract of maintenance for the period after-guarantee. Despite the little maintenance, a regular verification however is recommended. The work of Maintenance must be made for intervals of about 2 years, preferential in one day of sun of summer. During elapsing of the maintenance the level of satisfaction of the users must be evaluated. The maintenance work must consist of the elaboration of a report with the following details:

- Visual Inspection - Monitoring the System parameters - Verification of protection measures against freezing and corrosion

4.2.2.1 Visual Inspection The visual inspection has as purposes to assure a correct of the installation effectiveness considering visible alterations in the collectors and the solar circuit:

- Collectors: contamination, supports of setting, bonds, imperfections, broken glass, degradation of glass/tubes or pipes;

- Solar circuit and tank of storage: tension of the thermal isolation, imperfections, verification/cleansing of dirtiness, pressure;

Recommendations

• Proceeding with the cleanness of the glass of the collector it must be with water and only in the morning early or in days without sun, seeing that the thermal shock will be able to damage the glass;

• In order to proceed with a verification or repairing of the electric components, must always disconnect the supply of electric energy of the system;

• It’s recommendable to proceed with the cleansing of the glass of the collector and the safety valves from the system, setting in motion briefly the valves of the primary and secondary circuit.

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4.2.2.2 Monitoring the System Parameters Variability of the system, pressure and temperature, as well as the controller must be verified. During the operation, the pressure of the system varies depending on the temperature. After being realized one bar purges complete the pressure cannot vary more of the one than 0,3 and it never must lower more of the one than the boost pressure of the expansion vase. The temperature difference, in systems of raised flow, enters the line of feeding and return, in the case of the maximum irradiation K does not have to be above of 20 (it will be above exists air in the circuit that the contamination blocks it due) and below of 5K (it will be below exists calcareous rock deposit in the heat exchanger). The controller and respective functions must be tested. If the controller was installed with a program of monitoring all data, these can be recorded and analyzed. From the several data that can be monitored, are distinguished the following ones:

• Number of hours of operation of the bomb/pump the solar system; • Amount of produced energy

The solar circuit’s water circulating pump must be in accordance with the approached annual functioning according to the hours of light, in the respective localization and the annual average of heat profit through the system, must be similar to the average of the place in cause, for the type of collectors installed. The monitoring of systems as form of evaluation of the state of functioning of the system can be carried out by a period of short duration, approximately one month allowing a verification of its correct functioning and a confirmation of the done forecasts at the time when dimensioning the system, its average behaviour in the long run and the saving of energy to wait of this system. One correct and efficient monitoring of the parameters of the system involves the following equipment normally:

- Solarimeter or pyramometer to measure the intensity of the solar radiation; - sensory of temperature; - measuring of volume; - measuring of conventional energy; - measuring of time; - data acquisition system.

After the monitoring accomplishment and the application of the necessary measures, it will have to be presented a report of the state of functioning of the system. This report can present suggestions of deficiencies correction and allows to many times the immediate correction of problems. 4.2.2.3 Verification of the protection measures of anti-corrosion and anti-freezing The protection against freezing is verified with a density bottle (instrument to measure density). For this purpose, one given amount of thermal fluid is collected. With this sample, the specific temperature of freezing can be measured or the density specifies of the fluid. The specific density it allows to know the point of freezing of the fluid through the concentration/density diagram.

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The verification of protection against corrosion of the thermal fluid, in the solar circuit is carried out indirectly through the establishment of the value of pH. The ribbon use of pH is appropriate for this purpose. If the value of pH will be below of the original value and below 7, the mixture water/glycol must be substituted. Relatively to the storage tank, protection against corrosion is realised with a test to the magnesium anode, through measurement of the electric chain between the handle and the anode with an ammeter. Above of 0,5 mA it is not necessary to change the anode. 4.2.2.4 Maintenance Plans One presents after that some plans of preventive maintenance and corrective to have in consideration. Preventive maintenance This type of maintenance has for purpose to inside keep of acceptable limits the conditions of functioning, efficiency/output, protection and durability of the installation. Corrective maintenance This type of maintenance embodies the repairing substitution in order to allow the normal functioning of the solar system. After that, the main problems and forms of correcting them are presented: Problem Reason or cause Correction

Check primary circuit bonds (leaks) Check if the primary fluid level is correct Purge the system; 1 The water is cold or tepid

although to be a sunny day

The thermosiphon could not be working properly (when the glass is very hot and it does not have difference of temperature between the entrance and the exit of the collector)

Eliminate possible blockages or obstructions in the circuit (salts, calcareous impurities, mud, etc.)

Lack of fluid inside Fill in with fluid 2 Low pressure in the primary

circuit Leaks existence Eliminate leaks and check valves condition Confirm the primary circuit valve functioning Repair leaks in the consumption circuit;

3 Lack of hot water supply (secondary circuit)

Tightness flaw in the secondary circuit (consuption water)

Repair taps leaks

Eventual leak in the buffer Communicate with the installer technician for proper reparation; 4 Moistness or condesation

inside the collector Collector bad instalment Move round the collector 180º

Over consumption Make use of hot water with better moderation 5 Energetic support consumes

too much energy Subdimensioned system in view of the present consumption level

Install an additional system of solar energy

Switch on manual position Turn the interruptor to auto position

Temperature sounder deficiency Replace temperature sounder Differential thermostat deficiency Make the tests Sensor defficency Make the tests

6 water circulating pump don't stop working

Pump damage Replace it

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Interruptor on manual position Turn the switch to auto position

Inverted circulation Place a check valve Hot water doesn't circulate Purge the system and pump it

7 water circulating pump working at night

Too hot night - Closed valves Open the valves Air in the system Purge the system and pump it Glued check valve Verify check valve orientation Check valve poorly assembled Verify check valve orientation Tubes system not rightly or poorly dimensioned

Examine tubes system calibration

8 water circulating pump works but there isn't any water circulation

Great pressure losses Install a more powerful pump

Switch off (in off position) Turn the interruptor to auto position

Burnout fuse Replace fuse Differential thermostat deficiency l Replace differential thermostat Sensors defficency Replace sensors

9 The water circulating pump doesn’t work

Pump damage Replace pump Temperature sounder setting, mainly the hot sounder Correct setting

10 The differential gear command is running badly Differential gear command calibration

(control system) Calibrate it

Pump’s speed controller/selector position; Choose correct speed

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The water circulating pump works with insufficient flow and pressure If the circuit is duly purged Purge the circuit

To determine point of functioning of the water circulating pump

If necessary, replace the pump

Presence of a blockage or obstruction in the circuit

Remove blockage/obstruction 12

The water circulating pump works, the flow is insufficient or null and the pressure is raised Verify if the check valve is correctly

assembled and check that it isn't glued

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Chapter 5 - Costs and yields 5.1 Specific investment costs

The prices of solar products have decreased steadily over the past decades – while the effinciency increases. Beside this the specific costs decrease with increasing size of the system. Today one can assume specific investment costs for solar thermal systems at camping sites with collector surface areas from 20 to 100 m² of 900 to 700 € per squaremeter collector surface area. If existing storages can be integrated into the solar system additional cost reduction can be achieved.

5.2 Energy balance and yields for a solar thermal system The performance (or solar yield) of solar thermal systems, assuming that the dimensioning has been matched to the hot water requirements, is established by means of the losses on the way from the collector to the tap:

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Optische Verluste

Wärmeverlustean den Kollektoren

Wärmeverlusteim Solarkreis

Wärmeverluste amWarmwasserspeicher

Wärmeverlusteim Warmwasser-verteilungssystem

Einstrahlung

AbsorbierteStrahlung

Kollektor-nutzungsgrad

System-nutzungsgrad

Abb. 25 Balance of a standard solar system with glazed flat-plate collectors The average system efficiency for a well-designed thermal solar system with glazed flat-plate collectors is about 35-45%. With global solar irradiance of 1.000 kWh/m²per annum, each square metre of glazed flat-plate collector surface generates 350 kWh per annum of thermal energy. If evacuated tube collectors are used, the efficiency is increased to about 45-50%, because of the lower heat losses at the collector. 5.3 Normalised solar heat costs The price-performance ration of a solar system can be described with the help of the normalised solar heat costs (that is, the cost per kilowatt-hour). In this way the investment costs (taking account of any possible grants) and operating costs (power for the circulating pump and maintenance costs) are calculated with the energy yield during the service life. A suitable procedure here is the annuity method. In this the annual charge (repayments and interest) is calculated by means of an annuity factor, which can then be set against the annual yield. The following example shows a simplified procedure that the annuity is related only to the capital costs. The annuity factor is given by: a = [(1+p)n x p] / [(1+p)n -1] where p is the effective interest rate (as a decimal), and n is the utilization (years). For an effective investment rate of 4% and a utilization of 25 years the annuity factor is calculated a = [(1+0,04)25 x 0,04] / [(1+0,04)25 -1] = 0,064 The yearly load with regard to interest and acquitance is 6,4 % of the investment costs.

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Taken 800 €/m² as the specific investment costs for a 50 m² solar thermal system and estimated maintenance costs of 1% of the investment costs following normalized solar heat costs can be taken into account: Normalized solar heat costs = yearly costs / yearly yield = [0,064 x 50m² x 800 €/m² + 0,01 x 40.000 €] / [350 kWh/m² x 50m²] = 2.960 € / 17.500 kWh = 0,17 €/kWh A comparison with the costs for fossil heat generation shows that solar hot water generation can compete extremly well with electrical hot water heating.

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Chapter 6 - Good practice examples Campingplatz Sonneneck, Ellenberg

• Year of construction…………………………………………………2000 • Number of pitches……………………………………………………120 • Operation period ………………………………………………….. 1.1. – 31.12. • Type of collector ……………………………………………………. Flat plate collector • Collector surface area ………………………………………….... 1x12m² u. 1x6m² • Number and volume domestic water storages ……… …..1x1000l u. 1x400l

• Kind and power of preheating system …………………..…..Liquid-Gas 1x30kW u. 1x8kW

• Solar fraction …..……………………………………..……………. ca. 50% • Energysaving per year……………………………………………. 3000l Liquid-Gas • Installation company ………………………………………….... Heizungsbau Lichtmanecker • Planning company …………………………………………….…… Heizungsbau Lichtmanecker • Investcosts brutto (inkl. planning) .………………………….. ca. 7000€

• Contact to the camping site …………………………..……….. kontakt@camping-sonneneck.de

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Naturcamping Weisser Brunnen, Mözener See

• Year of construction…………………………………………….…1999 • Number of pitches………………………………………………...400 • Operation period …………………………………………………. 1st April until 31st October • Type of collector ………………… …………………………..…..Flat plate collectors • Collector surface area …………………………………………. 30m² • Number and volume buffer storages …………………... 1 x 1.500 l • Number and volume domestic water storages …….… 1 x 800l

• Kind and power preheating system …………………… ….Gas-Brennwertkessel 30kW • Solar fraction …..………………………………………………… ca. 70% • Energysaving per year…………………………………….…… 1.900l Erdgas • Installation company …………………………………………. SOLVIS und Fa. Behrmann • Planning company ………………………………………..………Ing.-Büro Löffka • Invest costs (inkl. planning) .……………………………….. 24.500€

• Contact to the camping site ………………………………... Gert.Petzold@t-online.de

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Appendix Checklist for camping sites

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