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 long term will be to cover with solar energy as much heating demand as possible. Already now, solar thermal is one of the most cost effective renewables.

In November 2007, ESTIF published a position paper "Heating and Cooling in the upcoming EU Renewables Directive". It explains how the Directive can help speed-up the uptake of solar thermal. And it warns against a renewed discussion about "Guarantees of Origin", which would not help reaching the 20% renewables target.

Download the ESTIF position paper "Heating and Cooling in the upcoming EU Renewables Directive".

The heating and cooling sector is the largest consumer of final energy in Europe. In order to reach its goal of 12% of energy supply to come from renewable sources in 2010 the European Union must do more for renewable energies in this sector - as the EU does already in the electricity and the transport sector. Together with EREC (European Renewable Energy Council) and the European associations for the Biomass industry (AEBIOM, EUBIA) and Geothermal industry (EGEC), ESTIF has published a Joint Declaration for a European Directive to promote Renewable Heating and Cooling.

More than 40 organisations were amongst the initial signatories of this declaration - showing the broad support from industry, environmentalists and public institutions.

The Solar Keymark quality label was developed by ESTIF together with the European Committee for Standardisation in order to accelerate the growth of the European market by reducing the barriers to trade caused by the existence of different requirements to get financial incentives in different countries. ESTIF's Position Paper on the Solar Keymark is addressed to all market participants, especially manufacturers and institutions responsible for financial incentives.

For detailed information on this quality label, please consult the Solar Keymark website.

Because of the great importance of installers in the solar thermal markets, ESTIF calls for the inclusion of solar thermal training into the standard training/education of installers. This and further recommendations are presented in ESTIF's Position Paper on the Training of Installer.

Please also look at our further information on the role of installers.

The EC Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPD) will help to improve the overall energy efficiency of new buildings in the EU. Its transposition into national legislation offers a great chance to further improve the attractiveness of solar thermal and other renewables for usage in the built environment. ESTIF has published position papers, which propose ways of making national building regulations more solar-friendly:

ESTIF Position on dynamic performance requirements ESTIF Position on performance certificates

Additional information on the EPD and its high relevance for solar thermal.

The Solar Keymark quality label was developed by ESTIF together with the European Committee for Standardisation in order to accelerate the growth of the European market by reducing the barriers to trade caused by the existence of different requirements to get financial incentives in different countries. ESTIF's Position Paper on the Solar Keymark is addressed to all market participants, especially manufacturers and institutions responsible for financial incentives.

For detailed information on this quality label, please consult the Solar Keymark website.