Sustainable Development for Solar Heating Systems in Taiwan

Keh-Chin Chang, Wei-Min Lin and Kung-Ming Chung
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Keh-Chin Chang: Energy Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Wei-Min Lin: Department of Accounting Information, Tainan University of Technology, No. 529, Zhongzheng Road, Yongkang District, Tainan 710, Taiwan
Kung-Ming Chung: Energy Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1 University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: In response to the impact of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, developing and using renewable energy sources and technologies have become vital for managing energy supply and demand in Taiwan. The long-term subsidy programs (1986–1991, 2000–present) for solar water heaters (SWHs) launched by the Taiwanese government constitute the main driving force for market expansion. By the end of 2013, the cumulative area of installed solar collectors was 2.27 million m 2 . Approximately 0.3 million systems (or 1.545 million m 2 ) are in operation. This corresponds to an annual collector yield of 0.92 TWh, which is equivalent to savings of 98.7 thousand tons of oil and 319 thousand tons of CO 2,eq . The market-driven mechanism is associated with cost-to-benefit ratios, construction businesses, types of building architecture, degree of urbanization and household composition. The strong wind load of typhoons is another major concern. For sustaining the solar thermal industry in Taiwan, the dominant factor for disseminating SWHs in metropolitan areas involves developing building-integrated solar thermal systems. Alternative financial incentives are required for industrial heating processes in the commercial sector.

Keywords: renewable energy; solar heating system; subsidy; economic feasibility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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