The upcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy: A clear opportunity to shed light and promote the uptake of EU-made Solar Thermal Technologies

Heating and cooling, representing half of Europe’s energy needs, have so far been an underestimated sector. Yet, they are an essential element to achieve the EU’s decarbonisation targets and ensure energy security. The upcoming EU Heating & Cooling Strategy, announced in February 2025 in the context of the Affordable Energy Action Plan and due to be released in Q1 2026 is therefore welcomed as it represents the opportunity to address this gap. With the current consultations open till 20 November, Solar Heat Europe urges the European Commission to adopt a comprehensive and ambitious approach that prioritises the deployment of available and EU-made renewable heat technologies. Solar Heat Europe calls for dedicated measures to promote the uptake of solar thermal technologies, in line with the NZIA objectives whose aim is to promote and protect EU clean technologies.

Structured in 6 pillars, Solar Heat Europe has submitted today key proposals in its contribution to the “Call for Evidence”, including proposals which can apply to several direct renewable heat technologies and others, more specific to solar thermal technologies.

What we are advocating is that as renewable, EU-made, clean technologies, the contribution of Solar Thermal Technologies to the heating and cooling decarbonisation agenda should be prioritised. Unlike other technologies, those have clearly suffered from a lack of political attention and extremely challenging market conditions recently (as outlined in Solar Heat Europe latest 2024 market report) despite their clear benefits.

Solar Heat Europe calls for a dedicated action Plan for Solar thermal technologies, outlining the need to:

1. Prioritise the use of decentralised renewable heat sources and the use of solar heat.

2. Lead awareness raising campaigns and national strategies for solar heat.

3. Set targets for the use of Solar Thermal Technologies (STT, including solar thermal and PVT) such as: tripling their use by 2030 in Buildings, achieving a 5% share of district heating supply by 2050, steer the development of Solar Heat in Industrial Processes for dedicated sectors.

4. Protect EU’s excellence in Solar Thermal manufacturing, pursue research and promote exports and develop an EU Solar Thermal Industry Alliance.

5. Facilitate permitting and access to finance, especially for STT (having high CAPEX).

6. Include a merit order for renewable heat technologies regarding the access to finance.

7. Establish a ‘Made in Europe preference’ in public procurement, especially for STT.

8. Encourage technology coupling using solar heat and other clean technologies as well as thermal energy storage to successfully achieve the transition.

By embracing these recommendations, the EU can accelerate its energy transition, bolster industrial competitiveness, and deliver affordable, clean energy to citizens.

I encourage all members of Solar Heat Europe to actively engage at this key moment of the drafting process of the Strategy, so as to make sure that the potential of our virtuous solar thermal technologies is well heard and adequately  promoted!