Posted: June 25, 2026
The programme for the EuroSun2026 conference in Freiburg this September has been finalised. The International Conference on Sustainable and Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry will take place from 14 to 18 September in Southern Germany. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme that will keep them busy all week. Registration for the event is now open. Use the early bird discount available until 1 July. There are also special rates for people from outside Europe and from lower-income countries. The organizers are expecting up to 500 participants at the EuroSun2026. The meeting marks the 30 anniversary because the first EuroSun conference was held also in Freiburg in 1996.
Since 2022, the EuroSun conferences have been jointly organized by the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA SHC). Previous editions were held in Cyprus in 2024, Germany in 2022, and virtually in 2020. EuroSun remains one of the few global conferences focused specifically on solar thermal solutions for buildings, district heating networks, and industrial applications.
This year’s conference has attracted exceptional interest, with 365 scientific papers submitted for presentation as oral contributions and posters across 11 thematic areas, including:
- Sustainable and Efficient Districts
- Sustainable Heat for Industrial Processes
- Energy-Efficient Buildings
- Solar Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Thermal Energy Storage
- Sustainable and Solar Energy Transition
Historic university venue in Germany’s green city of Freiburg, southern Germany. The university venue combines more than 500 years of academic tradition. Graphic: ISES
EuroSun2026 will take place on the historic campus of the University of Freiburg, located in the heart of Freiburg, one of Europe’s most renowned sustainability hubs. Often referred to as Germany’s “Green City,” Freiburg is internationally recognized for its leadership in solar energy research, sustainable architecture, and environmental innovation. Beyond its technological reputation, the city attracts visitors with its picturesque old town and proximity to the scenic Black Forest.
Unique partnership with SolarPACES
A special highlight of this year’s event is the collaboration with SolarPACES 2026, the world’s largest conference dedicated to concentrating solar technologies for heat and electricity generation. As both conferences take place in Germany during the same week, organizers are planning a reciprocal ticket arrangement, allowing participants registered for one event to attend sessions at the other. In addition, selected sessions on the opening day will be livestreamed between the two conference venues. The organizers of the 32nd SolarPACES Conference, hosted by the IEA Technology Collaboration Programme SolarPACES, received 330 abstracts from around the world.
Workshops, Expert Meetings and Technical Tours
The three-day conference programme runs from 14 to 17 September, featuring keynote presentations, technical sessions, and poster exhibitions. Ahead of the main conference, several international expert meetings of IEA SHC Programme will be held on Monday, including:
- IEA SHC Task 71: Life-cycle and cost assessment for heating and cooling technologies
- IEA SHC Task 72: Solar photoreactors for the production of fuels and chemicals
- IEA SHC Task 75: Thermal energy storage materials
On Friday, participants can join one of four technical excursions. One tour will visit three solar thermal installations supplying industrial process heat and district heating networks. The remaining tours will provide behind-the-scenes access to the laboratories of Fraunhofer ISE in Freiburg, showcasing research in:
- Heat pumps
- High-temperature thermal storage
- Concentrating solar thermal technologies
- Battery technologies
Supporting solar energy master students
Since 2020, ISES has offered a Master Course in Solar Energy alongside the EuroSun Conference. Applications for the 2026 edition are open until 17 July, with places available for 20 selected students. The programme comprises 90 hours of study (3 ECTS credits), including pre-conference literature review, participation in conference sessions, and preparation of a final presentation. The master course is supervised by Prof. Klaus Vajen from the University of Kassel, Germany.
Accommondation is provided by ISES. Students are only required to cover their own travel expenses to Freiburg and the conference registration fee which is offered at a reduced student rate of EUR 200 without ISES membership and EUR 100 with ISES membership.
Master course participants with Prof Klaus Vajen (second from right) during the EuroSun2022 in Germany
Photo: ISES
Website of organisations mentioned in this news article:
ISES: https://www.ises.org/
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
SolarPACES: https://www.solarpaces-conference.org/re
Solar Energy Master Course: https://www.eurosunconference.org/programme/masters-course-solar-energy-0