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)

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) 

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) 

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) 

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)  

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 GW_th of new capacity (4,75 mil m² of collector area). 

Download the latest market data in PDF format

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 GW_th of new capacity (2,7 million m² of collector area). The total capacity in operation at the end of 2007 reached 154, GW_th (22 million m²).

Download the 2007 market data in PDF format