15 March 2011 – Energy Statistics should include the estimation of the solar thermal energy produced and, with this objective in mind, the International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (IEA-SHC) and major solar thermal industry associations agreed on a common calculation method to estimate the annual solar collector energy output in kWh. With this method it will be simpler to estimate the impressive amount of energy produced by solar thermal systems worldwide and compare it...

Lyon, 16 February 2011 - As the ENEOs Show opened its doors in Lyon on 15 February 2011, Xavier Noyon, Secretary General of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) and Thierry Autric, Managing Director of Qualit'EnR announced the signing of a partnership for the organization of a session wholly dedicated to Qualisol installers at ESTEC 2011 - the 5th European Solar Thermal Energy Conference taking place in Marseille on 20 and 21 October 2011.

Brussels, 8 December 2010. The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) members have elected a new President and a new Board of Directors on 3 December at their General Assembly in Brussels. Representatives from industry, association and research have discussed the short- and medium-term outlook for a market which has been particularly affected by the crisis in the building sector.

Brussels, 13 October 2010 – At a time when the European market is facing a sharp downturn, the 5th edition of the European Solar Thermal Energy Conference to be held in Marseille on 20 and 21 October 2011 presents the ideal opportunity for the solar thermal industry players to address together the issues facing the sector to return to a significant growth path.

Brussels, 20 September 2010 - ESTIF has joined forces with MarketScape A/S in designing and developing a unique intelligence tool for the solar thermal industry sector. The aim is to provide a high-end global business information service, offering daily news bulletins to business professionals with a focus on developing the solar thermal industry, even during challenging times.

Brussels/Paris, June 22, 2010 - ESTEC is a biennial international conference bringing together key players in the field of solar thermal to share the latest information on market trends, political and regulatory developments as well as on innovations. In 2011, for the first time, an entire session will be wholly dedicated to installers, mainstay of the European solar thermal sector and its success.

Brussels, 3 June 2010 - Following an outstanding growth in 2008, the European solar thermal market decreased by 10% in 2009. For the second year in a row, over 4 million square metres of solar panels were sold in Europe. However, the outlook for 2010 remains uncertain as the financial and economic crisis continues to have a negative impact on public support and incentive policies for renewable heating and cooling.

Brussels, 17 May 2010 - The German ministry for environmental affairs announced last week an immediate ban on further support payments under the federal incentive scheme for solar heating, biomass and heat pump installations. ESTIF heavily criticizes this decision which hits the solar thermal industry without warning and puts the whole renewable heating sector in danger. This measure is based officially on a budget freeze that the German federal parliament put in place.

Brussels, 30 April 2010 - An increasing number of countries will participate in the 3rd edition of the European Solar Days from 1 to 16 May 2010. Around 6.600 events are planned in 17 European countries for this year’s Solar Days campaign, involving several hundred thousands of citizens at local level. Solar energy is already contributing significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, supplying millions of European households with green electricity and renewable heating and cooling.

The proSTO blueprint shows local authorities how to make a commitment to local sustainable energy by implementing solar thermal ordinances. The guide which provides first hands practical advice, case studies and best practices is deemed a tool for those in charge of introducing solar thermal ordinances at local level.

Munich, 8 June 2011 - At Intersolar 2011, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) released the latest market statistics for the 27 EU member states and Switzerland. Although the European solar thermal market has again experienced an overall decrease in 2010, it still remains above its 2007 level with a total of 2 586 MWth (3 694 940 m²) of newly installed capacity.

Brussels, 26 May 2011 – The 4th edition of the European Solar Days campaign has drawn massive support for solar energy throughout the entire continent. Over the course of two weeks (1-15 May 2011) more than 8,000 events were organized in 18 countries throughout Europe, attracting half a million people in an attempt to demonstrate that solar energy constitutes a viable alternative energy source.

On the occasion of its 4th biennial conference, the European Renewable Energy Council calls for a renewable energy target of 45% in 2030 to meet the European Union’s commitment to reduce green gas emissions for 2050. “… We need a legally binding target for renewables of 45% by 2030 as this would give a clear signal to investors and unlock crucial private investments”, said Arthouros Zervos, President of EREC.

Brussels, 13 May 2011 - The European Solar Thermal Technology Panel launched the selection process for a new Steering Committee at the 2nd RHC-Platform Annual Conference in Budapest

Brussels, 13 May 2011 - Renewable Heating and Cooling technologies take centre stage as their real potential is highlighted at the 2nd Annual Conference of the RHC-Platform in Budapest.