SHIPcal: Solar Heat for Industrial Processes Online Calculator

Solar energy potential for industrial processes has been widely proven, and detailed studies can be found in literature. However, contrary to this fact, the role of solar energy within the industrial sector still remains minor. Technologies like concentrated solar systems are even less widespread, notwithstanding the fact of being adequate for high temperature processes and steam production. In order to overcome the gap between end-users (thermal energy intensive industries) and the solar sector (manufacturers, designers, etc.), the market needs to introduce new, straightforward, accessible and end-user oriented tools. The Solar Heat for Industrial Processes online Calculator (SHIPcal) is an open source initiative specifically developed for industries interested in integrating solar energy in their processes. SHIPcal integrates numerical models into a web-based interface in order to provide design-point, annual performance and economic information to industrial end-users.