Solar thermal market grows 51.4% in the European Union

Solar thermal market grows 51.4% in the European Union

The European Union’s solar thermal market has clearly exceeded forecasts with 51.4% growth in 2008, equivalent to approximately 3,238.5 MWth. According to data presented in the latest EurObserv'ER solar thermal barometer, 20,000 MWth of solar thermal capacity was in service in the European Union at the end of 2008. Germany is outright leader, followed by Austria and Greece.

Germany really made the biggest difference doubling the amount of collectors installed in 2007. Whereas individual household installations are the major form of solar thermal application, the multi-occupancy market is starting to expand primarily providing hot water heating requirements of apartment blocks, service industry buildings, hotels, sportsfacilities and housing estates (grouped individual dwellings), and often offer combined heating and cooling systems. The political will to develop this type of application has a strong influence on national market penetration figures. In Austria, the collective share was put at 18% in 2008 (residential blocks: 11%; hotels and leisure amenities: 4%; and industry: 3%), while in Spain, the market is put at about 21.5%, or 100 000 m2. In mainland France, the figure is 18.2%. Market penetration is higher in Northern Europe – 55.2% of the Swedish market and 42% of the Danish market, because of the development of solar thermal in sports facilities (especially pools). The other European countries that have produced statistics on the collective market for 2008 are Poland (30.8%), the Czech Republic (11.1%), Cyprus (6.3%) and the Netherlands (4.7%).

On the basis of the ministry figures that follow, EurObserv’ER estimates the number of jobs generated by the solar thermal sector at over 50 000. As for sales, they should pass the 3 billion euro mark in 2008. The sector has very high potential for employment. ESTIF (European Solar thermal Federation) reckons that by 2020 the sector could be employing over 450 000 full-time staff.

The European market has firm foundations, aided by the implementation of national statutory frameworks (such as thermal regulations for buildings) and various incentive systems. The sector has considerable scope for expansion. According to a forthcoming study by ESTIF, solar thermal could cover over 10% of the additional renewable energy production required to achieve the European Union’s 20% goal by 2020.