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Brussels, 19 December 2008. A Strategic Research Agenda of the solar thermal sector was presented in Brussels today. The document, developed by more than 100 experts organized in the European Solar Thermal Technology Platform (ESTTP) describes the research efforts and infrastructure needed to reach the goal of supplying 50% of the energy needed for heating in cooling with solar thermal energy. A deployment roadmap shows the non-technological framework conditions that enable the reaching of this...

Brussels 9 December 2008. An Agreement was reached this morning between the European Parliament and the 27 EU Member States on a new directive to boost EU renewable energy use to 20% by 2020. For the first time, heating and cooling – responsible for 50% of Europe’s energy demand – will be covered by a European Directive promoting renewable energies. Thus the Directive creates a positive climate for the long-term development of solar thermal technologies in Europe.

Brussels, 4 December 2008. The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) members elected a new Board of Directors on 2 December at their General Assembly in Athens where they discussed the sector development.

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.

Brussels, 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.

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.