Strategy and vision
EU Heating & Cooling Strategy
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.
Manifesto
Ahead of the 2024 EU elections, the European solar heating and cooling sector presented their manifesto, making a compelling case for the pivotal role of Solar Heat in the energy transition and Europe’s economy. The manifesto aims to inform the decision-makers about the main challenges for the solar thermal sector in the next five years, proposing concrete measures, while pointing out the benefits and opportunities that solar thermal technologies present for achieving a sustainable energy future.
2030 Roadmap
During its 30-year anniversary celebration in June 2022, Solar Heat Europe launched its 2030 Solar Thermal Roadmap for Europe. It provides reliable and up to date data as well as projections on the potential of the solar thermal sector, gathered and developed together with Solar Heat Europe’s members and stakeholders, showcasing solar thermal’s contribution to the energy transition by 2030 and 2050. The roadmap aims to highlight the benefits of solar thermal, set targets for the sector, improve the business environment for a competitive solar industry, and remove barriers to the uptake of solar thermal technologies.