GSCN – Global Solar Certification Network

A Shared Mission: Why Dissemination Matters for the GSCN

In 2025, the Global Solar Certification Network (GSCN) carried out an extensive set of dissemination and communication activities aimed at strengthening its visibility, reinforcing trust in solar thermal certification, and supporting the uptake of quality labels across international markets. These activities were not isolated communication actions, but part of a broader strategic effort to better connect certification schemes, industry stakeholders and markets, and to ensure that high-quality solar thermal products are more easily recognised, understood and trusted worldwide

The efforts were jointly financed by the Solar Certification Fund (SCF) and the Solar Heating Initiative, and implemented under the project SCF16-GSCN Supporting Matters. The outcomes demonstrate the strategic relevance of coordinated communication in consolidating certification schemes and supporting market confidence in solar thermal technologies.

A Strategic Focus on Awareness and Alignment

The GSCN plays a central role in facilitating mutual recognition of solar thermal certification schemes worldwide, with the Solar Keymark serving as the established and essential collector certification scheme in Europe. Building on this foundation, the SOLERGY Label was developed as a complementary collector marketing label designed to make certified information more accessible and market-oriented.

A key condition of SCF financing was the explicit strengthening of links between GSCN dissemination activities and the Solar Keymark. The 2025 communication work therefore focused on promoting a clear and consistent message: the GSCN acknowledges and promotes the Solar Keymark, and the SOLERGY Label does not replace the Solar Keymark, but builds upon it. Solar Keymark certification remains a prerequisite for obtaining the SOLERGY Label in Europe, ensuring continuity, credibility, and technical robustness.

The main objectives of the dissemination activities were to:

Consolidating Communication Foundations

Before launching new outreach actions, the GSCN Board decided to use 2025 as a year to reflect and align communication priorities with the needs of its membership. To address this, a structured feedback process was coordinated by the GSCN Communications Officer, Marisol Oropeza. This approach allowed members to share their views on the network’s positioning, communication needs, and future direction. While the final line of action is expected after the conclusion of the feedback process, the core mission of the GSCN remained unchanged and continued to be actively promoted throughout 2025.

Updated Marketing Materials and Clearer Messaging

One of the most tangible outcomes of the project was the adaptation and creation of updated marketing materials that consistently reflect the relationship between the GSCN, the Solar Keymark, and the SOLERGY Label.

Key deliverables included:

This coordinated approach ensured that all materials conveyed a unified narrative: GSCN as the global facilitator, Solar Keymark as the certification backbone, and SOLERGY as a user-friendly label that supports market understanding and communication.

Articles, News, and Industry Publications

Dissemination activities in 2025 placed strong emphasis on editorial content and sector-specific publications. Three dedicated articles and website news entries were produced throughout the year, highlighting concrete use cases and visibility moments for the SOLERGY Label while consistently referencing the Solar Keymark and the role of the GSCN. Notable additional examples included:

These publications helped reach diverse audiences, from manufacturers and certification bodies to policymakers and industry associations, reinforcing trust through credible third-party channels.

The GSCN and SOLERGY Label were also presented at major industry events, including:

These events provided direct interaction with market actors and reinforced the credibility of the certification ecosystem through face-to-face engagement.

Social Media and Newsletter Outreach

Digital dissemination played a central role in the 2025 activities. Coordinated social media campaigns were implemented across GSCN, SOLERGY Label, and partner channels, with strong visual alignment and repeated references to the Solar Keymark.

Partners such as IEA SHC and Heat Changers amplified the campaign by sharing tailored content through their own networks. This multiplication effect significantly increased reach while maintaining consistent messaging.

In parallel, content was prepared for and distributed through multiple newsletters, including those of Heat Changers, ASIT, and ISES. These newsletters provided an effective channel to explain the complementary roles of certification and labeling, particularly for professional audiences already engaged in solar thermal markets.

Webinars and Events: Direct Engagement with Stakeholders

Beyond digital communication, the project supported active participation in webinars and international events. Two webinars were delivered in collaboration with partners, reaching certification bodies, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Presentations explicitly addressed the relationship between GSCN, Solar Keymark, and SOLERGY, ensuring clarity and avoiding misconceptions.

Relevance and Impact

The 2025 dissemination activities demonstrate how targeted communication, when aligned with certification structures, can strengthen trust and transparency in solar thermal markets. By clearly positioning the Solar Keymark as the foundation and the SOLERGY Label as a complementary communication tool, the GSCN successfully avoided confusion while enhancing the visibility of all three elements.

The SCF-financed activities delivered clear added value by:

Overall, the project confirms that dissemination is not merely promotional, but a strategic instrument for market development. The outcomes of 2025 provide a solid basis for future communication actions, further collaboration with partners, and continued growth of a transparent and trusted solar thermal certification landscape.