studies and Statistics
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 latest market data in PDF format
You may also download and use the the diagrams below - free of charge - provided that the copyright notice is included.
- Shares of the EU Market (Newly Installed Capacity)
- Development of European solar thermal market 1998-2007
- Development of per Capita Market (Newly Installed Capacity per Capita)
- Solar Thermal Capacity in Operation per Capita
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.
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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)
Moving from square metres to MWth
Until now, solar thermal statistics have usually shown the solar thermal collector area in square meters. This has frequently prevented solar thermal from showing up in (renewable) energy statistics, which are typically given in MW or MWpeak.
Therefore, the International Energy Agency's Solar Heating & Cooling Programme, together with ESTIF and other major solar thermal trade associations have decided to publish future statistics in MWth (Megawatt thermal) and have agreed to use a factor of 0.7 kWth/m2 to convert square meters of collector area into MWth.
The comparison of the installed capacities of various intermittent renewables reveals: Solar Thermal is one of the leading technologies already.
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)
Sun in Action II - a Solar Thermal Strategy for Europe (published May 2003)
Sun in Action II is the most comprehensive study of solar thermal markets to-date.
Volume 1 contains an overview of the European market. Reasons for success, barriers to growth and strategies to overcome these barriers are identified, both for solar thermal in general and for the main market segments. A detailed action plan to tackle the main obstacles to growth is proposed. These actions require the continued efforts of the industry, but also strong and long-term political support at European, national and regional level.
Volume 2 provides 21 market reports on EU member states and key markets outside the Union.
Sun in Action II is available for free download (PDF - to be viewed with the Adobe Reader):
Volume 1 (1,1 MB) Volume 2 (1,3 MB)
Sun in Action II was co-financed by the European Commission under the ALTENER program.
