The guide was prepared in Germany by DGS, the German section of the International Solar Energy Society, with contributions from DLR, the German Aerospace Centre. Ecofys, an international consultancy specializing in sustainable energy and energy efficiency, was responsible for the translation and adaptation of this English edition.

• Part 1: Solar Radiation and Arguments for its Use Solar Radiation. The Finiteness of Energy Resources. Climate Change and its Consequences. Good Arguments for Solar Systems. Part 2: Components of Solar Thermal Systems How Does a Solar Thermal System Work? Collectors. Heat Stores. Solar Circuit. Controller. Part 3: Systems for Single-Family Houses Systems for Charging/Discharging the Store. Systems for Heating Domestic Water. Systems for Heating Domestic Water and Space Heating. Planning and Dimensioning. Costs and Yields. Part 4: Installation, Commissioning, Maintenance and Servicing. A Brief Study of Roofing and Materials. Installation Methods and Safety. Installation. Starting Up, Maintenance and Servicing. Information Sources for Specific Countries. Part 5: Large-scale Systems Systems. Control of the Systems. Heat Exchangers. Safety Technology. Economic Considerations. Solar Contracting. Solar District Heating. Part 6: Solar Concentrating Systems Concentration of Solar Radiation. Concentrating Systems Providing Process Heat. Concentrating Solar Thermal Systems for Electricity Generation. Part 7: Solar Heating of Open-Air Swimming Pools Introduction. Components. Systems. Planning and Dimensioning. Installation. Operation and Maintenance. Costs and Yields. Examples. Part 8: Solar Air Systems Introduction. Components. Systems. Planning and Dimensioning. Installation. Costs and Yields. Examples. Part 9: Solar Cooling Theoretical Bases. Integrated Planning of Solar Cooling/Air-conditioning Systems. System Technology. System Design. More Information. Part 10: Simulation Programs for Solar Thermal Systems Introduction. Evaluation of Simulation Results. Simulation with Shading. Market Survey, Classification and Selection of Simulation Programs. Brief Description of Simulation Programs. Part 11: Marketing and Promotion The Fundamentals of Solar Marketing. More Success through Systematic Marketing. The Sothern Europe Initiative: European Network of Solar Thermal Marketing Campaigns. A Good Sales Discussion Can is Enjoyable. Subsidies. Appendix A: Glossary. Appendix B: Relevant UK Solar Regulations and Technical Standards. Appendix C: Nomenclature. References and Further Information. Index.

'Offers clear guidance on planning and installing a solar thermal system, crucial to the successful uptake of this technology...Very good and precise summary of the whole field. I would recommend it to anyone who is serious about carrying out a solar thermal installation.' – Building Engineer Magazine