Hybrid Solar Systems for Industrial Heat – Highlights from the INDHEAP Workshop in Graz 

On 14 April 2026, the INDHEAP project hosted the workshop “Hybrid Solar Systems for Industrial Process Heat & Power: From Concepts to Implementation” in Graz, Austria, at the Grand Hotel Wiesler, in connection with the 4th International Sustainable Energy Conference (ISEC 2026).

Organised with contributions from the SOLINDARITY project, the workshop brought together stakeholders from industry, research, and technology providers to exchange on practical solutions for the decarbonisation of industrial heat. 

With strong interest and active participation, the event provided a dedicated space to explore hybrid solar concepts, medium‑temperature thermal energy storage, design methodologies, and the transition from pilot projects to wider industrial deployment. 

Why focus on industrial heat? 

While renewable electricity has seen rapid progress, industrial process heat remains a major challenge for decarbonisation. Many industrial processes require low‑to‑mid temperature heat, which is still largely supplied by fossil fuels. 

Hybrid energy systems combining solar thermal technologies, photovoltaics (PV), thermal energy storage, and auxiliary solutions such as heat pumps offer a promising pathway. However, their implementation requires careful system design, integration strategies, and validation under real industrial conditions. 

From concepts to implementation 

The workshop programme translated the path from research to application into three main technical areas: 

• Hybrid system concepts and integration, presenting how different technologies can work together to meet industrial heat demand 

• Medium‑temperature heat storage, highlighting its role in improving flexibility and enabling continuous operation 

• Design methodologies and tools, supporting engineers and stakeholders in developing cost‑effective and optimised hybrid solutions 

These sessions, delivered jointly by INDHEAP and SOLINDARITY partners, provided insights into both technical developments and practical implementation aspects. 

 From pilot to scale: the panel discussion 

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion on the question: “From pilot to scale: Can hybrid solar systems meet industrial heat and power demands?”. The panel featured contributions from European Heat Pump Association – EHPA, Solar Heat Europe – SHE, and TVP Solar. 

The discussion explored real-world challenges and opportunities, including market readiness, policy support, and the role of technology providers and associations in accelerating industrial uptake. 

Key takeaways 

Discussions throughout the workshop highlighted several important messages: 

• Hybridisation is key: combining solar thermal, energy storage, and auxiliary technologies allows for more reliable and adaptable solutions tailored to industrial needs 

• High relevance for mid‑temperature industries, particularly in sectors such as food processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals 

• Tools and design methodologies are essential to support real‑world implementation and reduce system complexity 

• Barriers to scale remain, including integration challenges, financing, standardisation, and regulatory conditions 

• Collaboration across the value chain is critical to move from pilot projects to scalable industrial solutions 

What’s next 

INDHEAP and SOLINDARITY will continue to build on the momentum from the workshop, further disseminating project results, tools, and insights from demonstration activities. 

The exchanges initiated in Graz will contribute to strengthening collaboration and supporting the development of replicable hybrid solar solutions for industry.