In 2009, solar thermal energy registered a slight decrease in Europe

Nonetheless, this 10% reduction follows an outstanding growth in 2008 (+60%) and is mainly due to the contraction of the German market, while the sector is still expanding in recently developing markets

The solar thermal market has experienced a setback in 2009, with a 10% decrease  compared to 2008 levels. The data was publicized by ESTIF (European Solar Thermal Industry Federation), a federation that unites over 100 companies and industry associations active in 19 European countries.

Indeed ESTIF didn’t show excessive concern about this downturn, but rather emphasized that,  for the second consecutive year, over 4 million square meters of solar panels were sold in Europe. Indeed, 2009 was a challenging year for practically every industry, and it followed an exceptional year for solar thermal, which in 2008 grew by 60% compared to 2007.

The forecasts for the coming years are less reassuring, due to the economic and financial crisis, which continue to have a negative impact on public support and incentive policies for renewables.

This downturn had a negative impact on Germany, a leading country also in the solar thermal industry (its market share is 38%), whose market suffered a 23% decline in 2009. Moreover, negative effects were also felt in France, Spain and Italy.

However - said Olivier Druck, ESTIF president, the solar thermal sector still outperformed compared to others. For example, the positive trend has not stopped smaller markets - such as Denmark, Holland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (all below the 200,000 square metres of newly installed panels per year) - where the growth till exceeded 10% .

(June 2010)