The European solar thermal industry, convening at its General Assembly in Brussels, released its 2023 market report today, urging swift action from public authorities to bolster solar heat adoption with consistent policy signals and incentives.
According to the report by Solar Heat Europe, Europe witnessed the installation of 1.8 million square meters of new solar thermal collectors in 2023, adding to a cumulative capacity of 41 GWth across 11 million rooftops in the region.
Valérie Séjourné, Managing Director of Solar Heat Europe, expressed concerns over the sector's growth trajectory, stating, “The momentum we saw in 2022 towards enhancing energy security and meeting Paris Agreement goals appears to have stalled in 2023. Growth rates varied significantly across countries, with notable disparities such as a 70% increase in the UK, an 8% rise in France, and a 43% decline in Germany due to regulatory challenges.”
Key highlights from the report include a modest 0.6% increase in total installed capacity in 2023, underscoring the sector's slow progress towards decarbonizing heat across residential, commercial, district heating, and industrial applications.
Guglielmo Cioni, President of Solar Heat Europe, emphasized the importance of forthcoming EU policies like the Fit for 55 package in driving renewable uptake and supporting the solar thermal sector. “Clear and predictable market signals are essential for our industry's growth and for Europe to achieve its 2050 climate ambitions,” he stated. “Solar thermal offers resilient, EU-made heat solutions crucial for a successful energy transition.”
The report also outlines sector-specific policy recommendations, including mandates for Heating & Cooling Plans, Clean and Efficient District Heating targets, and enhanced support through the Emissions Trading System (ETS) for industrial decarbonization.
“As heat constitutes half of Europe's energy demand, solar thermal holds significant potential to contribute to climate neutrality,” Cioni added, urging national policymakers to prioritize support for all renewable technologies equally in Europe's energy transition journey.
