Brussels/Berlin, 30 June 2005. estec2005, the 2nd European Solar Thermal Energy Conference, took place successfully in Freiburg (Germany) on 21-22 June. It was the largest international solar thermal event ever. Strong impulses for further market growth emerged from the conference.

European Solar Thermal Industry Federation to publish latest statistics at the estec2005 conference. For the first time, the ESTIF statistics cover all EU-25 countries, and present data both in terms of capacity (kilowatt-thermal, kWth) and in the traditional unit (square meters of collector area).

In May 2005, ESTIF asked its members how they rated the association's work so far. The results are very positive and should encourage others to become member of ESTIF.

The world’s most important conference for solar thermal technology takes place in Freiburg on June 21–22. estec2005’s organizers, The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF), are expecting 350 participants and speakers from all over the world.

Solar thermal has long been overlooked by policy makers and even by renewables advocates. But even without the high visibility of the electricity producing renewables, solar thermal has achieved a strong position in the world of renewables. Uwe Brechlin of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) identifies current challenges for solar thermal markets in Europe and how they could be overcome.