Brussels, 15 September 2008. In 2009, the largest global conference dedicated to solar thermal energy takes place in Munich, Germany. The estec conference hosted by ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, has developed into the most important platform within the rapidly changing sector. In the dynamic environment of a fast developing European market, estec2009 provides relevant information on markets and trends, technology and policies in the field of hot water preparation,...

Brussels/Munich 12 June 2008. Solar thermal encountered mixed developments in Europe in 2007. The biggest national market, Germany, declined while many other countries enjoyed double-digit growth rates. Sales in 2008 have started strong and the industry looks optimistically into the future. At Intersolar 2008, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation publishes their latest market statistics for Europe.

Brussels/Munich 12 June 2008. More and more EU Member States, regions and municipalities are phasing out fossil fuel based heating. New and refurbished buildings are increasingly required to cover a share of their heat demand with renewable energies, such as solar thermal. The European Commission now wants to make this a Europe-wide requirement.

The European Parliament's Rapporteur on the Renewables Directive, Claude Turmes, has published his draft report, last week. He suggests a series of changes to the original proposal tabled by the European Commission on 23 January 2008. Most of Mr Turmes' proposals strengthen the original text of the Commission and clarify issues where the proposal was ambiguous.

Brussels, 15/05/2008. The kick off of the first European Solar Days will be celebrated on Friday 16 May with special events in Brussels and throughout Europe.

russels, 23/01/2008: The solar thermal sector welcomes the renewables Directive proposal published by the European Commission, today. For the first time, renewable heating and cooling will be fully integrated into EU legislation. ESTIF welcomes particularly the obligation for new and refurbished buildings, from which solar thermal will benefit. Member States are called to improve the framework for solar thermal now, without waiting for the adoption of the Directive.

he European Commission's Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign, of which ESTIF is an associate, has published a new video news release about solar thermal in Europe.

The video shows examples from Northern and Southern European countries, including the world's largest solar heating plant in Marstal, Denmark. Interviews with operators, citizens and manufacturers show the benefit of using solar thermal energy.

The video is intended for free use - including by commercial TV stations. It can be...

Brussels, 21 December 2007. After four years of very dynamic growth, the European solar thermal (ST) market registers a 10% decrease in sales in 2007. Many factors contributed to a 33% decline of Germany’s market. ESTIF urges policy makers to implement solar obligations to speed-up the market penetration of solar thermal.

Reduced VAT rates should also be applicable to renewables, not only to gas and electricity consumption, says the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC)

The forthcoming EU Renewables Directive will introduce measures to reach 20% renewables in the EU by 2020. Heating and cooling from renewable energy sources (RES-H) are crucial to reaching this target. And solar thermal offers particular advantages: It does not rely on scarce resources, it is available almost everywhere, it does not increase electricity consumption, and it is emissions free.

All forms of RES-H and energy efficiency measures should be supported. However, the priority in the...