Brussels 27 June 2006. Sparked by the high prices for oil and gas, consumers more and more often chose solar thermal for domestic hot water and space heating. In 2005, almost 1.400 MWth of solar thermal capacity (2 million m2 of collector area) was newly installed in Europe – 26% more than in the previous year. New installations more than doubled in France where 85 MWth were added in 2006.

10:13 22-6-2006

Brussel, 15 June 2006. This morning, the European Parliament adopted by a majority of 317 to 214 an amendment asking that in the forthcoming 7th European Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) approximately two thirds of the budget in the area of "non-nuclear energy" (2.385 millions EUR) is reserved for renewable energies, energy efficiency and savings. This is circa 450 millions more than proposed by the European Commission.

EREC (European Renewable Energy Council) and the German Federam Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safty announce the the 2007 European Renewable Energy Policy Conference. The conference will take place 29-31 January 2007 in Brussels.

A recent study of the Bremer Energie Institut looks at the environmental effects of the whole value chains of different energy sources. Renewable energies – environmental benefits, economic growth and job creation. Case Study Paper was commissioned by IMV - Environemental Assessement Institute, Denmark, and confirms the positive benefits of utilising renewable energy sources. Analysing ten different energy technologies, it concludes that solar thermal has by far the least...