Press room

A+++ solar systems on the market in 2015

Brussels, 6 September 2013 - The eco design and energy labelling regulations for space, water, combi heaters and storage tanks were published today in the Official Journal of the European Union.

After many years of effort and a very constructive cooperation between the EU institutions and the solar thermal industry, the energy label will show, in a harmonised and user friendly way, the benefits and savings brought by solar to end consumers all over Europe.

“We welcome the happy ending to this long process”, said Robin Welling, President of the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF).  He added: “The energy label will allow consumers to visualise the potential savings and to make more informed decisions. We are very proud of the significant contribution we have made by co-designing the package label with the Commission. As an industry, we intend to build on the fact that Solar “thermal packages” for water heating will be the only A+++ technology, a trigger for the market uptake of solar heat which the EU needs”.

The labelling and related obligations to provide technical information will actually begin in September 2015 for all actors in the solar thermal supply chain. Solar thermal systems, both as product stand-alone and in package with heaters, will fit into the higher efficiency categories. The solar and heaters package for hot water preparation will be the sole technology to achieve the highest category A+++.

Energy labelling was the missing element within the European legislative framework aimed at promoting renewable heating in buildings. Now, in all the 28 EU countries there are: National action plan for the promotion of renewable heat with binding targets (RES directive), Mandatory standards for Nearly Zero new buildings and large renovations (EPBD), objectives of energy efficient renovation and reduction of energy consumption (EED) and an energy labelling promoting renewable heating technologies.

The testing methodologies used in the context of energy labelling will be described in detail in a separate piece of legislation, which should be published by the end of 2013. ESTIF is actively involved in the drafting of these methodologies with the aim of linking them to existing tests, usually performed by solar system manufacturers, to ensure a fair rating of the solar heat performance. ESTIF will also continue to maintain this close cooperation with the Commission to guarantee a successful implementation of the package label; especially in connection with the support measures for installers and SME regarding the “package label”.

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To view the full press release, please click here.

Link to the Official Journal of the European Union