A new report has been released focusing on two renewable energy technologies: solar thermal energy for hot domestic water heating and concentrating solar power (CSP) for electricity generation.
The EurObserv’ER Solar Thermal Barometer shows different fortunes for the two solar thermal technologies.
It seems the recession threw black spots over the European solar thermal market throughout 2010.
For the second year running, new installations for hot water production and space heating (collectors) decreased.
According to the EurObserv’ER survey the newly-assigned surface area was 3.8 million square meters in 2010, down from 4.2 million square meters in 2009 and 4.6 million square meters in 2008.
Total EU solar thermal collectors at the end of 2010 was 25 135.6 MWth.
Five EU countries, mostly Mediterranean, intend to develop the sector.
According to experts the solar thermal market will pick up again in 2011 because the European markets have recovered maybe except the Spanish market.
The key to future growth will be driven by future conventional energy price trends.