European Solar Thermal Industry Federation

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SOLAR THERMAL MARKETS IN EUROPE - TRENDS AND MARKET STATISTICS 2014 (PUBLISHED JUNE 2015)

2014 Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2015)

In 2014, the European market, once again, underwent a reduction in the newly installed capacity. The 2014 market amounted to 2 GWth (approximately 2.8 mio m²). This represents a decrease of 6.8% in comparison with the previous year. The total installed capacity recorded a net increase of 1.6 GWth, now reaching 31.8 GWth (45.4 mio m²), representing an increase of 5.2% compared with the total installed capacity at the end of 2013.

The European solar heating and cooling market continues to suffer from the contraction of sales in its largest markets, having reached the same market level as in 2007, before the peak year of 2008. There are several main factors behind this sluggish performance, such as the low gas prices, difficult access to finance for consumers, slow-moving construction sector, less public support schemes for solar thermal and competition from other energy sources, namely those with more attractive market incentives.

In 2014 some positive signs have come from two of the largest European markets, Greece and Spain. These markets have grown by 18.9% and 9.8% respectively. This evolution is due to greater investments in the tourism sector in Greece and by a good performance in Andalusia, in the case of Spain. These examples show that there are still market development opportunities , if some barriers are removed effectively.

Download the latest ESTIF Publication 'Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics 2014' (pdf format - 9.6 MB)

You may also download and use the diagrams - free of charge - provided that the copyright notice is included.

Solar thermal markets in Europe (published June 2014)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2014)

In 2013, the European market contracted again for the newly installed capacity,which totalled 2.14 GWth (approximately 3.05 million m²). This represents a decrease of 11.8% in comparison with 2012. The total installed capacity increased by 1.75 GWth, attaining 30.2 GWth (43.1 mio m²). It shows an increase of 6.2% on the total installed capacity at the end of 2012.

The European solar thermal market decreased in 2013. Contrary to whathappened in previous years, when there were signifi cant variations betweenmarkets, the downturn in 2013 affected almost all of the largest and mediumsize markets. The main markets declined or, at best, stagnated. The main European market, Germany, representing one third of the European market, has led this decline with a decrease of 11% compared with 2012, totalling only 714 MWth(1.02 mio m²). Among the larger markets France experienced the strongest decrease (-24%), while in the medium size markets Portugal was the most affected (-31%).

It should be noted that the market has contracted by one third since the peak year of 2008. Subsequently, the European solar thermal market has suffered a decrease of 8.7% per annum on average. It remains above the size reached in 2007, but only by a mere 6%. Nevertheless, over the past ten years the market doubled, which would correspond to an average annual growth of 7.6%.

Download the latest ESTIF Publication "Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics 2013" (pdf format - 7.5 MB)

Solar thermal markets in Europe (published June 2013)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2012)

In 2012, the European market experienced a reduction in the overall newly installed capacity which amounted to 2.4 GWth (approximately
3.4 mio m²): a decrease of 6.4% in comparison with the previous year. The total installed capacity registered a net increase of 2 GWth, now reaching 28.3 GWth (40.5 mio m²). This represents an increase of 7.7% compared with the 2011 total installed capacity.  

The European Union market continues to suffer from the constraints imposed by the financial and economic crises affecting most of the continent, resulting in a sluggish construction sector and reduction of public support schemes for solar thermal. The annual market has been contracting since the peak year of 2008. The 2.41 GWth sold in 2012 are well above the 2007 sales (2 GWth / 2.88 mio m²) but are a far cry from the 3.36 GWth (4.8 mio m²) reached in 2008.    

Download the latest ESTIF Publication "Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics 2012" (pdf format - 6.5 MB) 

Solar thermal markets in Europe (published June 2012)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2011)

The European solar thermal market remained static in 2011, close to the 2.6 GWth installed in 2010

Some important markets continued to grow such as the biggest European market, Germany, and also Poland. Others went through a very difficult time, especially in Southern European countries, such as Italy, Spain and Portugal; however, Greece bucked this trend with a slight market growth. There were some positive developments for both large and very systems, but these alone cannot offset the downturn experienced in more traditional market segments.

With almost 2.6 GWth installed in 2011, the total installed capacity in Europe is now 26.3 GWth, generating 18.8 TWh of solar thermal energy while contributing to savings of 13 MMt CO2. Despite the impact of the economic and financial crisis, the solar thermal sector still shows an average growth of 3.9% and 9.0% over the last five and ten years, respectively 

Download the latest ESTIF Publication "Solar Thermal Markets in Europe - Trends and Market Statistics 2011" (pdf format - 9.8 MB) 

Solar thermal markets in Europe (published June 2011)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2011)

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.

The German market while still the largest in Europe, has dropped by almost 29% in 2010. This decrease, combined with the 23% downturn in 2009, brings the market almost back to its 2007 level, with 805 MWth of newly installed capacity (1 150 000 m²).

Overall, markets below 200 000 m² and above 50 000 m² grew a total of 8.8%; however, their combined increase of 40 000 m² does not quite compensate for the decrease recorded in larger markets.

Markets between 200 000 and 500 000 m² have behaved very differently, while the Italian market confirmed its 2009 level (around 500 000 m²), the Spanish market continued to decline, increasing the gap between the second and third European markets in terms of newly installed capacity.   

Download the latest ESTIF Publication "Solar Thermal Markets - Trends and Market Statistics 2010" (pdf format - 6.5 MB) 

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2010)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published May 2009)

Following an outstanding growth in 2008, the European solar thermal market decreased by 10% in 2009. Our initial forecast reflected the alarming news on the economic front as well as the concomitant recession in the building industry, and had prepared us for the worst. Finally, the market performed better than expected and for the second year in a row, over 4 million m² of solar panels were sold in Europe.

In terms of solar thermal markets, Europe can be divided into three zones: markets above 400,000 m², between 200,000 and 400,000 m², and below 
200,000 m² of newly installed capacity (glazed collectors).

The overall European market reliance on Germany (38% of the EU 27+CH) is decreasing with Austria, France, Greece, Italy and Spain together accounting for 39%; the other countries now representing 23% of the market and becoming increasingly relevant, showing a clear trend for fast growth.

Download the latest ESTIF Publication "Solar Thermal Markets - Trends and Market Statistics 2009" (pdf format)  

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published May 2009)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published May 2009)

In 2008, we saw a very good development in our market: Solar thermal heating and cooling solutions are gaining traction in more and more countries. While much of the market is in one- and two-family houses, demand by housing companies, office building operators and other commercial users is increasing significantly.

The solar thermal market in the EU and Switzerland showed a strong performance in 2008: It grew by over 60% to 3,3 GWth of new capacity (4,75 mil m2 of collector area). 

Download the latest market data in PDF format

 

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2008)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2008)

Solar thermal encountered mixed developments in Europe in 2007. The biggest national market, Germany, declined by over 30% while many other countries enjoyed double-digit growth rates.

The total market for glazed collectors in the 27 EU Member States and Switzerland decreased by 9% to 1,9 GWth of new capacity (2,7 million m2 of collector area). The total capacity in operation at the end of 2007 reached 154, GWth (22 million m2).

 

Download the 2007 market data in PDF format

 

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2007)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2007)

 

With a spectacular growth of 47%, the European solar thermal market in 2006 exceeded everybody's expectations, reaching 2,1 GWth of newly installed capacity (3 million square meters of collector area). The total capacity in operation reached 13,5 GWth, producing over 800.000 toe of clean solar heat and cold.

 

Download the 2006 market data in PDF format

 

 

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2006)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published 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 2005.

 

Download the 2005 market data in PDF format

 

 

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2005)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2005)

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 2004, the European market (EU-25 + Switzerland) grew by 12% compared to 2003. The same growth rate is forecast for 2005 (diagram 1).

1.110 MWth (1.586.184 m2) new capacity was installed in Europe in 2004, compared with 991 MWth (1.415.598 m2) in 2003.

Germany is still the leader in terms of market volume, with 47% of the European market. It is followed by Greece (14%), Austria (12%) and Spain (6%) (diagram 2).

In terms of capacity in operation per capita, the European master is Cyprus, with 431 kWth/1.000 inhabitants, followed by Austria and Greece, both at 179 kWth/1.000 inhabitants. The EU average is only 21 kWth/1000 inhabitants, because in many countries the solar thermal market has just started to develop. (diagram 3).
 

Download the 2004 market data in PDF format (3,5MB)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2004)

Solar Thermal Markets in Europe (published June 2004)

This 4-page leaflet contains the latest market figures for EU-15 (plus Switzerland but without Luxemburg). In 2003, the European market expanded by 25% and the forecast for 2004 shows an expected growth of similar size.

The most important results from 2003
Germany - which has a 55% share of the European market - grew by 39% The other 'heavyweights', Greece and Austria also resumed growth France is showing good progress (44% growth) Italy and Spain are still lagging behind - have a much higher potential

    Download the 2003 market data in PDF format (1,3MB)

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