Positive outlook for some European solar thermal market segments, despite disappointing overall results

Growth potential has been identified in some market segments, particularly in the booming decentralized large-scale heating sector in Denmark.

Brussels, 29 June 2015 - In 2014, although the European solar thermal market experienced an overall decrease of around 7% in newly installed capacity, at the end of the year the total installed capacity increased by 5.3%. While this is the third consecutive year of decline for market leader Germany, some markets are bucking the trend.


The European solar heating and cooling sector is still feeling the impact of the economic crisis with lower sales in some of its largest markets. There are several main contributing factors to this sluggish performance, such as low gas prices, difficulty in accessing finance for consumers, stagnating construction sector, fewer public support schemes for solar thermal and competition from other energy sources with more attractive market incentives.

In 2014 some positive signs came from two of the largest European markets, Greece and Spain, which have grown by around 19% and 10% respectively. In Greece this was the result of greater investments in the tourism sector and in Spain this was achieved thanks to a good performance in Andalusia.

In Germany, the introduction of improvements to the MAP incentive scheme should sow the seeds for recovery in Europes largest solar thermal market. Growth potential has been identified in some market segments, particularly in the booming decentralized large-scale heating sector in Denmark. ‘We can see positive developments for the commercial, industrial and district heating applications. These segments are still quite small compared with the residential market; however, their growth over such a short period has confirmed their huge potential commented Robin Welling, ESTIF President.

‘The solar thermal technology can play an important part in meeting the EU indicative targets, provided appropriate corrective action is taken by the member states to remove the barriers hindering its full deployment. Europe cannot afford to lose this opportunity to release the untapped free supply of solar energy! added Pedro Dias, ESTIF Secretary General.

Featured Product

OMCO Origin® Factory-Direct Trackers

OMCO Origin® Factory-Direct Trackers

A One-In-Portrait (1P) solution for a wide range of solar projects within utility scale, distributed generation (DG), and community solar markets manufactured and factory preassembled in the USA at OMCO Solar with full-scale support, and design for quick, easy and safe installation, and fewer trackers per MW. OMCO makes all structural components with domestic steel and this balanced design allows for more accurate targeting and reduced energy consumption. OMCO Origin® Factory-Direct Trackers include universal module mounts with options for all commercially available modules, labor-saving bearings with 6 adjustable ways to compensate for posts and terrain issues, and foundation solutions for every terrain including OMCO C Piles.