Brussels, 3 July 2023 – Solar Heat Europe, the industry association representing solar heating and cooling in Brussels, announces the appointment of a new President and Board of Directors, signalling a new era of ambition and growth for the solar thermal market during its official events held last week in Athens, Greece.

Guglielmo Cioni (TVP Solar), formerly Vice President, has been elected as the new President of Solar Heat Europe. He will be joined by the newly appointed Board members, including Oleguer Fuertes (BDR Thermea) and Jakob Jensen (Heliac) as Industry representatives, Edwige Porcheyre (Enerplan – FR) and Roger Hackstock (Austria Solar – AU) as National Associations representatives, and Hugues Defréville (Newheat) for the category of Service Providers.

Expressing his vision for the future, Guglielmo Cioni, President of Solar Heat Europe, stated: “Now more than ever is the time to grow and position solar heat as a key technology in the energy transition, addressing the 50% of energy needs for heating and cooling with our clean, direct and circular, renewable energy solutions. Together with the new Board, the members, and the Solar Heat Europe team, we will lead by example, and collaborate actively with, policymakers, partners, and end-users, to drive the widespread adoption of solar thermal solutions in buildings, cities, and industries. By doing so, we will contribute to climate goals, create additional green jobs, and preserve the competitiveness of our EU-based industry.”

Preliminary data for 2022 shows a remarkable average growth of 14% in the solar thermal sector in Europe vs 2021. At a critical moment in the energy transition, while tackling the energy crisis and striving for energy independence, the steady growth of the sector stands as proof of the key role of solar heat as a renewable heat and decentralised solution for buildings, cities, and industry decarbonisation. Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, France, and the Netherlands are among the countries that had significant double-digit growth last year, ranging from 10% to 40% compared with the previous year. Forecasts for the current year also indicate a growth trend for the market, aligning with the new Board’s strategic goals.

Solar Heat Europe extends its appreciation to the former Board members, including former President Costas Travasaros (EBHE), Marcel Cloosterman (Holland Solar), Harald Drück (IGTE), and Joakim Byström (Absolicon), for their invaluable contributions to the association and the sector.

Former President Costas Travasaros commented: “I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues on the former Board, for their dedication and passion in strengthening the solar thermal industry and the association. The growth of the European solar thermal sector demonstrates the potential of this technology in ensuring clean heat supply, and we are honoured to have contributed to its evolution.”

As the voice of the solar thermal sector in Europe, Solar Heat Europe aims to raise awareness about the immense potential of solar heating and cooling solutions and foster growth through a favourable policy framework. This year, the association welcomed new members, including DualSun, Akotec, Aalborg CSP, and Venman, whose diverse experience and activity will further strengthen the collective efforts within the sector.

About Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF

Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF’s mission is to promote solar heat as a key technology for the decarbonisation of heating and cooling in Europe and to realise the high potential of solar heat in the energy transition. With members in more than 15 European countries, Solar Heat Europe members cover different parts of the value chain, being based in countries as diverse as Finland or Cyprus. Last year, Solar Heat Europe published Energising Europe with Solar Heat – A Solar Thermal Roadmap for Europe, comprising key information and data about the potential of the technology to accelerate the energy transition and boost the European economy.

Contact: