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...

Brussels, 25/09/2007: Today, the European Parliament approved by overwhelming majority the “Thomsen Report” on the Roadmap for Renewable Energies in Europe. Crucial for the future of solar thermal: the call for the adoption in all Member States of renewable heat obligations, at least in new buildings and those undergoing major renovation.

Brussels, 18/09/2007: The first comprehensive study on solar obligations was published by ESTIF today. The study is based on case studies and experiences from five countries. Solar obligations are considered as a key instrument to promote a renewable and sustainable heat supply in Europe.

Brussels/Freiburg, 19 June: As the fastest growing sector in renewable heating and cooling, solar thermal can deliver a substantial contribution to reaching the EU targets for renewables, if the right policies are quickly introduced at EU level and in the Member States.

Brussels/Freiburg, 19 June: estec2007, the largest international solar thermal conference ever held opens today in Freiburg. With 550 participants from over 50 countries, estec has almost doubled its size, confirming its status as the premier solar thermal event worldwide.

Brussels/Freiburg, 19 June: Since the decision of the European Union to set a binding target of 20% renewables in 2020, it becomes more and more obvious that renewable heating and cooling must play a large role to achieve this target. The need to rapidly increase the usage of solar thermal energy leads to a strong discussion within the sector, regarding which technological developments are needed.

Brussels, 24 April 2007. A new survey on the Italian solar thermal market shows that about 130 MWth (186,000 m²) new capacity was installed during 2006. This makes Italy the fifth largest solar thermal market in Europe. This figure shows that the size of the Italian market had been vastly underestimated during the last few years.

Brussels/Freiburg, 19 June 2007: Today, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) has published their latest market statistics for the 27 EU Member States and Switzerland at their bi-annual estec conference. The market development in 2006 exceeded expectations and solar thermal heating and cooling has clearly grown out of being a niche market.