In 2013, the European market contracted again for the newly installed capacity,which totalled 2.14 GWth (approximately 3.05 million m²). This represents a decrease of 11.8% in comparison with 2012. The total installed capacity increased by 1.75 GWth, attaining 30.2 GWth (43.1 mio m²). It shows an increase of 6.2% on the total installed capacity at the end of 2012.
The European solar thermal market decreased in 2013. Contrary to what happened in previous years, when there were significant variations between markets, the downturn in 2013 affected almost all of the largest and medium size markets. The main markets declined or, at best, stagnated. The main European market, Germany, representing one third of the European market, has led this decline with a decrease of 11% compared with 2012, totalling only 714 MWth(1.02 mio m²). Among the larger markets France experienced the strongest decrease (-24%), while in the medium size markets Portugal was the most affected (-31%).
It should be noted that the market has contracted by one third since the peak year of 2008. Subsequently, the European solar thermal market has suffered a decrease of 8.7% per annum on average. It remains above the size reached in 2007, but only by a mere 6%. Nevertheless, over the past ten years the market doubled, which would correspond to an average annual growth of 7.6%.