Our Industry
An EU based industry
The solar thermal industry is well-established in Europe, with its origins dating back to the 1980s when enthusiasts of the technology started promoting it as an alternative addressing the oil crisis of the ‘70s. Following the Chernobyl disaster, solar thermal technologies became part of the solutions to reduce Europe’s dependency on nuclear energy.
Today, the solar thermal sector has been subject to many R&D developments and is a modern, reliable technology providing renewable heat up to 400°C and suitable for many different applications. The sector has a strong European manufacturing base, which is able to meet 90% of the domestic demand for solar thermal systems and exports worldwide. Solar Heat Europe represents different parts of the value chain, with its members consisting of suppliers, manufacturers, project developers, research institutes, and national associations from 16 European countries.
The solar thermal sector is a clean tech sector clearly recognised under the EU Net Zero Industry Act and it will play a key role within the Clean Industrial Deal.
Boosting European competitiveness
The European solar thermal sector is composed of hundreds of companies of all sizes. The majority of these are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which contribute to local economies by creating wealth and thousands of jobs across Europe. Producing different state-of-the-art technologies according to the temperature levels required, European solar thermal companies ensure continuous innovation, R&I, and work alongside well-established certification schemes guaranteeing the performance of solar thermal collectors in the European market and beyond.
This makes European SMEs clearly stand out in supplying the domestic market and exporting worldwide.
Ensuring energy security
In a context where geopolitical tensions exacerbate the need for energy security, it is crucial to opt for local and resilient supply chains. The European solar thermal industry does not depend on critical raw materials or supplies from volatile partners and has a variety of supply channels for its main components (copper, aluminium, glass). Therefore, solar heat is able to provide an independent energy source and self-reliance for the EU. Citizens across the continent are already benefiting from 11 million rooftops using solar thermal energy and local energy storage capacity.
A net exporter
The European solar thermal industry is not only able to meet 90% of the EU market demand, but it is also a net exporter with a positive trade balance. European companies export their solar thermal technologies all over the world, guaranteeing European quality standards across the globe and contributing to Europe’s competitiveness.
Did you know?
70% of the production of solar thermal in Greece is exported worldwide
The European solar thermal sector is able to
triple EU based manufacturing by 2030, provided that proper incentives are in place
NZIA in action: Explore solar thermal manufacturers based in Europe among our membership
- All
- Direct members
- Indirect members
