SOLAR HEATING

After a decade marked by 10% average annual growth rate, the solar thermal sector experienced a serious slowdown in 2002. 2003 was therefore awaited to put the sector back on the path to growth so that Europe could approach the figure of 100 million m2 installed at the end of 2010 as closely as possible.

2003 market figures are partially reassuring.1452151 m2 of solar thermal collectors were installed in the past year in Europe, representing a 22% increase with respect to that of 2002 without, however, exceeding the level of 2001 (1565755 m2). In terms of total capacity, it's estimated that 14010400 m2 of solar thermal collectors (glazed, unglazed and vacuum) were installed in the EU is estimated as of the end of the year 2003 (table l).This figure expresses the number of collectors currently in activity, that is to say that it integrates the downgrading of the oldest installations.

With 5442100 m2, Germany is the leading country in terms of installed capacity, representing 38.8% of total European capacity. Germany installed 770000 m2 in 2003, i.e. + 34% with respect to 2001. This progress was especially due to a raise in subventions that became effective in February 2003 (+ 35%) in the framework of the "Marktanreiz Programm" plan. Subventions are today equal to 110 euros per m2 for installations up to 200 m2 and 60 euros per m2 for installations larger than 200 m2.With respectively 2877200 m2 and 2711900 m2, Greece and Austria are the two other European sector leaders.For want of being the most dynamic in Europe, these two markets are noteworthy for their stability. Concerning France, with 726500 m2, the country is today benefiting from the fruit of its solar thermal promotion campaign.                                                              

Source: http://europa.eu.int