Posted: August 25, 2026
The International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) Technology Collaboration Programme will mark 50 years of international collaboration with a special anniversary event during EuroSun2026. Taking place on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the University of Freiburg, Germany, the evening is titled Celebrating Five Decades of Innovation through Research Collaboration and is open to everyone – no registration or EuroSun2026 ticket required. Online participation is also possible.
IEA SHC is co-organiser of Eurosun2026 which will take place on the historic campus of the University of Freiburg, in the heart of the city. The three-day conference programme, running from 15 to 17 September, will feature keynote presentations, technical sessions, and poster exhibitions. On Friday, 18 September, participants can choose from four technical tours, offering an opportunity to explore innovative solar energy applications and projects in the region.
„This 50th anniversary celebration will be a special evening to reconnect with friends and colleagues and to honour some of the people who have shaped our Programme. I am looking forward to commemorating this amazing milestone with our community,“ said Lucio Mesquita, Chair of the IEA SHC Programme.
The evening begins from 5:30 to 6:30 pm with visual storytelling and an award ceremony honouring the individuals who have shaped the SHC community over the past five decades. This formal anniversary celebration will take place in the Aula at the University of Freiburg, followed by an informal gathering and networking reception from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the Prometheus Hall.
If you would like to participate online in the official anniversary celebration, please email Ben Stinson at the IEA SHC Secretariat (secretariat@iea-shc.org) to receive the link.
Long-standing partners, researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, friends of the programme, and EuroSun participants are warmly welcome to participate, as Freiburg once again brings together the global solar energy community during EuroSun2026. Attendees do not need to be registered for EuroSun2026 to join, making the evening accessible to the wider solar community as well.
The celebration not only honours five decades of research and innovation in solar heating and cooling but also signals a new chapter. Guests can expect the first look at the future direction of the IEA SHC Programme – with a major announcement on the horizon.
Websites of organisations mentioned in this news article:
IEA SHC Programme: https://www.iea-shc.org/
EuroSun2026: https://www.eurosunconference.org/
EuroSun2026 Programme: https://www.eurosunconference.org/programme-2
EuroSun2026 Registration: https://www.eurosunconference.org/registration-4
EuroSun2026 technical tours: href="https://www.eurosunconference.org/programme/technical-tours-0