The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) has recently published its latest market statistics for the 27 EU Member States and Switzerland. According to the organization’s press release, the market development in 2006 exceeded expectations and solar thermal heating and cooling has clearly grown out of being a niche market.

“2006 was another great year for our sector”, emphasizes ESTIF President Gerhard Rabensteiner. “We are seeing growth across Europe. France is continuing its breath-taking growth that started in 2000. In Germany, new installations increased by 58% last year. Even markets such as the UK and Ireland have finally woken up. The European citizens have started to realise: The future is solar! And they act accordingly.” At an annual growth of 47%, the market for new installations in the EU27 plus Switzerland has exceeded everyone’s expectations: 2.100 MWth of new capacity were added in Europe during 2006 (3 million m2 of collector area).

ESTIF explains that this result cannot be attributed to just one but to several factors: millions of satisfied customers and increased presence of the solar thermal industry – especially in the new markets – with new products and marketing strategies. Other key drivers are public support schemes, such as the solar obligations in Spain, training programs in France, and the many financial incentive schemes which exist in most EU countries.

“We have a goal for 2020”, says ESTIF Secretary General Uwe Trenkner.” 1 m2 of collector area for every European. Countries like Cyprus or Austria are already well underway to exceed that level by 2020. It is possible, and policy makers should follow through with clear policies everywhere in Europe: buildings should no longer be constructed without at least a minimum share of renewables for heating and cooling.”