The SOLARIS 2012 conference focussed on solar radiation modelling and day lighting, solar thermal (ST), photovoltaic (PV), renewable energy resources (RES), climate change (CC), food processing industries/rural development (FRD), and life cycle cost analysis of renewable energy sources (LC). These proceedings from the conference will be of interest to students, teachers, researchers, scientists, engineers and users involved in renewable energy in general and solar energy in particular. Manufacturers will also find these proceedings useful.