ESTIF launched an action plan aimed at policy makers at various levels. Based on experience in Germany and Spain, the plan highlights methods by which the introduction of solar thermal installations can be stimulated. These include for example binding regulations requiring the use of solar thermal for new buildings (such as the ‘Codico Technico’ in Spain specifies), or financial initiatives to speed up the introduction of solar thermal devices on existing houses and offices.

Solar thermal expert Frank Zegers from Ecofys says stable legislation is a prerequisite for market parties to invest in solar thermal installations. “If a solar installation is not legally required, it can too easily be scratched when budget becomes tight at the end of the project.”

Zegers thinks that solar thermal installations are effective in more northerly regions as well. “In a well-insulated house in Germany or the Netherlands, the energy required for room heating and warm water heating are about the same. Typically, half of heat for hot tap water can come from the solar thermal installation. That is therefore: a quarter of the total heat demand.”

With a double digit growth (22.8 % in 2005) the EU solar thermal market is doing pretty well. In 2005 more than 2 million square metres were installed for the first time, bringing the total installed surface in Europe to 18 million square metres with a peak thermal power of 12 gigawatts.