On 21 November, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) published via its Clean Energy Technology Observatory its 2023 status report on solar thermal energy in the European Union. While the solar thermal market had a challenging year in 2023, the report highlights the EU’s strong need to accelerate the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector by upscaling the deployment of clean technologies such as solar heat.
The challenges faced by solar thermal are similar to those of other renewable heating technologies: Higher interest rates have led to reduced investments and a slower pace of upgrading heat infrastructure. Furthermore, changes to support mechanisms, such as the end of the superbonus in Italy, uncertainties surrounding new renewable energy system laws in Germany, and the conclusion of EU-funded projects in Poland, have also hindered the deployment of solar heat.
As the EU continues its race towards net-zero targets to mitigate climate change while facing challenges regarding energy security due to geopolitical tensions, it is crucial to accelerate the deployment of sustainable, homegrown and resilient technologies such as solar heat. The JRC’s POTEnCIA CETO 2024 Scenario predicts an increase in heat generation from solar thermal, projecting 65 TWh in 2030 and 93 TWh in 2050, up from 29 TWh in 2020.
A positive sign is the increasing policy support on an EU level for solar thermal applications: The new Energy Performance for Buildings Directive requires new buildings to be prepared for solar PV and solar thermal, and the Energy Efficiency Directive as well as the Renewable Energy Directive emphasise the introduction of solar heat in individual buildings, district heating, and industry. Additionally, solar thermal is considered a strategic net-zero technology in the Net Zero Industry Act.
Read the full report: click here
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.
Contact:
| Valérie Séjourné Managing Director valerie.sejourne@solarheateurope.eu Tel: +32 471 34 19 24 | Anna Ledro Communications and Events Officer anna.ledro@solarheateurope.eu Tel: +32 2 318 40 59 |