Brussels, 17 July 2026
While Solar Heat Europe acknowledges the reference the Electrification Action Plan makes to an upcoming “Cooling and Heating Action Plan”, we are disappointed to see it further delayed. Releasing the Electrification Plan and Heating and Cooling Strategy at the same time would have ensured the integrated and inclusive energy system needed for all relevant clean energy sources to scale.[1]
Achieving climate neutrality will not be possible through electrification alone. While electrification will need to meet growing demand for uses such as data centres and electric vehicles, heat represents half of Europe’s energy needs and electrification alone will not be able to support its decarbonisation. It must be accompanied by the roll-out of direct renewable heat technologies such as solar thermal energy. By reducing the load on electricity grids, solar thermal energy enables sustainable and secure electrification.
In this regard, the solar thermal sector calls for the swift publication of the promised Cooling and Heating Action Plan. Heating and cooling needs span far beyond what the EAP encompasses, requiring a mix of solutions in which solar thermal has a key role to play. We therefore also call for the introduction of a KPI for the deployment of solar thermal energy and support for the deployment of “Made in Europe” solar thermal technologies. As the EAP mentions, “the EU can build on clean technologies, which are already commercially available in Europe for all key sectors from day one” and this is a concrete reality for solar thermal technologies.
Direct renewable heat sources, such as solar thermal, have a clear role to play for the decarbonisation of industry, as recognised in the recent Innovation Fund Heat Auction. Solar thermal technologies are essential for the decarbonisation of European industries, particularly in sectors with low- to medium-temperature requirements, such as food and beverages, pulp and paper, textiles and chemicals. Therefore, it will be key that their role is further incentivised as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank.
Overall, we welcome the recognition of the benefits of solar thermal installations for the security of the European energy mix, such as the combination of solar thermal (including in PVT form) and heat pumps. Furthermore, we welcome the guidance on social leasing, which is open and primarily promotes the uptake of clean heating sources, including solar thermal. This openness to all clean heating sources is a positive sign, but promoting the benefits and synergies of technology coupling should be a consistent approach throughout the document. The Clean Heat Market Mechanism is another step in the right direction, however, it needs to back the transition in this sector by embracing all clean technologies by ensuring green VAT reductions and other incentives apply to all clean heat sources.
Furthermore, we support the recognition given to the benefits of efficient district heating, to be supported via the Energy Efficiency Financing Accelerator. Solar thermal energy is a proven and readily available technology to achieve efficient district heating, recognised by the AccelerateEU initiative. Another positive sign for the future of the heating and cooling transition is the deployment of the European City Facility, which has significant potential to decarbonise heating at a local level, for example, by prioritising direct renewable heat sources.
Lastly, we welcome the fact that references to the Net Zero Industry Act and protection of EU clean tech sectors overall are included in the EAP, especially considering the strong EU-made nature of solar thermal technologies.
Valérie Séjourné, Solar Heat Europe’s Managing Director, said: “An electrification target sets a strong signal but is only part of the answer towards climate neutrality; it should not come at the expense of ambitious renewable energy targets. If Europe is serious about energy security and affordability, it must tap into the potential of all clean technologies, especially solar thermal, that are ready to deliver today. We stand ready to contribute to the upcoming Cooling and Heating Action Plan, and ambitious objectives for solar thermal.”
Guglielmo Cioni, Solar Heat Europe’s President, said: “Solar thermal is one of the core technologies to decarbonise heat and our European manufacturers are ready to deliver at the needed scale. What we need now is a policy framework that promotes all renewable heat solutions, not one that leaves on the sidelines a proven clean heat technology like ours, which is proudly Made-in-Europe.”
[1] Solar Heat Europe co-signed an open letter sent 1 May 2026 to the European Commission, calling for heating and cooling to be placed at the heart of the upcoming Energy Security Package: https://solarheateurope.eu/2026/05/04/solar-heat-europe-co-signs-an-open-letter-to-support-an-independent-hc-strategy/
About Solar Heat Europe:
Solar Heat Europe aims to promote and facilitate the successful deployment of all solar thermal technologies as efficient, ready-to-deploy and reliable decarbonised energy sources for the provision of heating and cooling in buildings, district heating networks and across industry. Its network represents more than 225 organisations covering different parts of the value chain and manufacturing in Europe.
www.solarheateurope.eu