Lebanon

Projects Database / Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative

Project ID
00062901

Background
As a part of the UNDP/UNEP/GEF Global Solar Water Heating Market Transformation and Strengthening Initiative, this country programme of Lebanon aims at accelerating the market development of solar water heating in Lebanon with an objective to facilitate the installation of 190,000 m2 of new installed collector area over the duration of the project, an annual sale of 50,000 m2 reached by the end of the project and with expected continuing growth to reach the set target of 1,050,000 m2 of total installed SWH capacity by 2020. This has been estimated to correspond to over 1,000,000 MWhr of avoided, new fossil fuel power capacity by using solar instead of electricity for water heating, and estimated cumulative GHG reduction potential of over 3 million tons of CO2 by the end 2020.

Achievements & Expected Results
- UNDP and MEW signed an agreement in June 2007 that calls for the creation of the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC) which will be responsible for energy efficiency and renewable energy issues at the national level.
- LCEC has already developed a draft energy conservation law in close coordination with various stakeholders. Once approved, the energy conservation law will set the national policy framework for energy efficiency and renewable energy in Lebanon. The draft law is currently being reviewed by the Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water.
- LCEC worked on the development of the Lebanese standards for flat plate and evacuated tube collectors. The draft standards are based on the European solar collector standards. The standards were recently approved by Libnor, the national Lebanese institute for standards and the national Industrial Research Institute (IRI) and sent to the Minister of Industry for his approval. Subsequently, the Minister will send these standards to the Council of Ministers (CoM) for final approval.
- A number of SWH pilot projects have been implemented (or planned to be implemented very soon) as demonstration projects funded by different donors: 500 solar thermal water heaters (individual installations) granted by the Chinese Government in 2005. 90 individual solar thermal water heaters and 12 collective systems granted by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). 350 individual solar thermal water heaters will be installed in 2009 under the Hellenic Aid grant.
- LCEC successfully launched in 2006 a major national campaign promoting the use of SWH. This national campaign was adopted by the Ministry of Energy and Water.
- LCEC conducted two market surveys for SWH in 2005 and 2007. The surveys offer some useful indicators on the market.
- Over a period of one year, a complete data logging system was used to collect detailed data on the performance of SWH installed through the Chinese funded project. This data is an excellent support tool to support the benefits of SWH in Lebanon.
- Several other international energy development projects have been executed or are under execution to support the Government of Lebanon to build the necessary technical and administrative capacities in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy (EU-IPP energy module, MED-ENEC project, MED-EMIP, etc.).
- A House Doctor was contracted by UNDP to help home owners find simple, practical ways to reduce their utility bills by increasing water and energy efficiency and using renewable energy.

Downloads Project Document (725 KB) Project Document 4/4 (1,057 KB) Project Document 3/4 (2,338 KB) Project Document 2/4 (3,250 KB) Project Document 1/4 (2,947 KB)

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