Embracing the sunshine
The Mediterranean basin and countries around it are blessed with sunshine almost all year round. The EU-funded project 'Integration of solar technologies into buildings in Mediterranean communities' (Solar Build) investigated the most ideal technologies that could be adopted in the region. To achieve its aims, the project established expert work groups supported by meetings and workshops in various Mediterranean countries. Close cooperation helped analyse market needs and articulate an action plan to achieve the project's aims. In addition, Solar Build produced guidelines for a market analysis report and distributed them to the project partners, underlining gaps and opportunities to focus on. Two important workshops took place in 2007 to highlight progress and opportunities as well. The first was held in Morocco, gathering 50 people in the field and providing a strong network for collaboration on issues related to solar energy. The second was held in Greece with a more regional scope and attracted 150 people, including representatives from Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Spain who unveiled their market studies. In terms of dissemination, Solar Build established an electronic guide covering issues related to solar energy in each country, including trends, good practices, obstacles, recommendations and steps to be taken. The project also set up a website which was supported by the Centre of Renewable Energy Sources in Greece. The website contained knowledge, press releases, presentations, announcements, partner details and the electronic guide. While many of the partners faced limited budgets among other obstacles that affected implementation of the project, Solar Build represented an excellent start for a joint vision on solar energy. It highlighted the EU's role in supporting renewable energy needs of the Mediterranean region, in hopes of combating climate change, reducing pollution and improving the welfare of societies.
