Our Mission
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 many applications such as buildings, district heating networks and industry.
43
Members in Europe
90
%
Industry covered
Our Priorities
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Awareness
Promoting further the benefits of Solar Thermal
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Policy
Enabling a favourable policy context for the implementation of Solar Thermal
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Industry
Fostering a Dynamic, Innovative and Competitive Industry Represented by a Strong European Association
What we do
Solar Heat Europe works to support the Solar Thermal sector through various activities at EU and national level.
Advocacy work
Our advocacy work is directed at EU and national policymakers and influencers to support the growth of the solar thermal sector. We provide input on policies, funding programmes or other initiatives relevant to the sector. Additionally, we collaborate with our network of National Associations to ensure adequate implementation at national level and provide first-hand information to our members on EU regulations and policies of direct relevance to the solar thermal market.
Technical and regulatory support
We provide expertise to our members, CEN and EU institutions in the field of standardisation, certification and technical regulations (including energy labelling, CE marking, Solar Keymark and Global Certification schemes). Furthermore, we identify potential areas for future research and steer solutions for their development. Our objective is to promote fair trade and market conditions for solar thermal products and services.
Market intelligence
We gather market data and intelligence at EU and national level of the solar thermal sector to inform our members about latest market developments and to advocate for the sector with data-based positions. Additionally, we contribute to international reports and activities related to solar heat.
Awareness-raising and networking
For our members, we regularly organise networking opportunities to benefit from the Solar Heat Europe network. We actively promote the benefits of Solar Thermal technologies and their use in buildings, district heating and industry.
EU projects & R&D initiatives
Solar Heat Europe is involved in various EU projects and Research & Development initiatives. We regularly join EU calls, such as Horizon Europe and LIFE, related to the promotion of renewable heat and the energy transition. Through our participation in key research organisations, for example SET Plan and ESTTP, we steer the research agenda on solar heat.
30 years of European action
Our association’s creation dates back to 1992, when five solar national associations joined forces to found the European Solar Industry Federation (ESIF). Ten years later, ESIF merged with the Active Solar Thermal Industry Group (ASTIG) to form ESTIF, the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation. European Solar Thermal Industry Federation. Until March 2025, the association’s name has been as Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF. This is now focused on Solar Heat Europe since April 2025
Solar Heat Europe celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022 in Brussels, marking an important milestone for the whole European solar thermal sector which has been contributing to a decarbonised energy sector for over three decades. On this occasion, the association launched its 2030 roadmap.
We at TVP Solar are proud to be Gold Sponsors of this important celebration, the 30th anniversary of Solar Heat Europe. As an enthusiastic supporter of solar thermal, we believe that our sector as a whole can make a difference and accelerate dramatically the clean energy transition in Europe and globally.