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Solar Thermal in Europe grows significantly |
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Friday, 19 January 2007 |
 The use of solar thermal has increased significantly in 2006, the same applies for sales of solar thermal systems in Europe which grew by 35 % up to 1.900 megawatts of solar thermal power, informs a press release from ESTIF (European Solar Thermal Industry Federation).
The most dynamic markets are in France, in the UK, and in Germany, where growth rates are in between 40 % and 70 %. Industry and research institutions - motivated by their large success - are developing a common vision for the use of solar thermal in 2030 and have just launched the European Solar Thermal Technology Platform (ESTTP).
Current developments in the international markets, in industry, in technology and in politics will be discussed at the European Solar Thermal Energy Conference (estec2007) on June 19-20, 2007, in Freiburg, Germany. This conference will be the most important international meeting point of the industry in the next year.
The European solar thermal market has become more and more dynamic within the last few years. France shows annual growth rates from 50% up to 100% and aims to increase the newly installed capacity from 150 megawatt-thermal (MWth) per year today until 700 MWth per year in 2010. In order to achieve this goal investors receive a tax reduction of 50% for each solar thermal system installed. Italy will grant a 55% tax reduction to achieve a similar goal. In Spain, the government has obliged homeowners to installing a solar thermal system when renovating an existing building or during the construction of a new building in order to reach their ambitious goals. Further market growth is expected also in the UK and in the leading markets of Austria and Germany.
"The current development in solar thermal is very encouraging”, says Ole Pilgaard, President of ESTIF, “and we are positive that it will accelerate in the coming years”.
This dynamic is heightened by the insight that solar thermal technology will play a much more important role in the fight against climate change and against the dependency on fossil fuel imports. Experts consider that in the long run, 50% of the low temperature heating needs in Europe can be covered by solar thermal. In order to discuss the necessary technological developments, experts from industry and science have launched the European Solar Thermal Technology Platform (ESTTP), which kicked-off their work on December 6, 2006. Until 2008, this platform will elaborate a strategy for research and development as well as for support policies and other positive framework conditions.
The European Solar Thermal Energy Conference is the most important forum worldwide for discussing these new developments. From June 19 – 20, 2007, it will take place in Freiburg for the third time, just two days before the Intersolar trade fair, the biggest solar-only trade fair in Europe. At estec2007, more than 400 experts form industry, science, politics and consultancies are expected for an exchange about market-, technological and political developments. |
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