The solar thermal technology harnesses solar energy to supply hot water and heating to homes, buildings, and industries. While based on a straightforward principle, it continues to evolve through innovation and plays a crucial role in achieving energy efficiency and renewable energy targets, complementing other renewable and clean technologies.
Produced in Europe, solar thermal represents a decentralized solution that strengthens Europe’s energy independence. It ensures stable prices by relying on the sun’s free energy, with the added benefit of built-in thermal storage.
The Manifesto launched by its association, Solar Heat Europe, outlines the benefits of solar thermal energy and provides the next generation of policymakers and legislators with a set of strategic guidelines for supportive measures to the sector. These are meant to accelerate the energy transition in a way that benefits EU citizens and the economy and call to:
Guglielmo Cioni, President of Solar Heat Europe, highlighted the critical need for implementing measures already adopted at the European level, stating: “The Fit for 55 package negotiated during the current mandate has brought a lot of opportunities and targets for industry, cities and Member States: its successful implementation, in an open, objective way across Member States is absolutely key.”
Valérie Séjourné, Managing Director of Solar Heat Europe said, “Your support in this new cycle is going to be critical to make this implementation a success. We call for a Renewable Heating and Cooling Action Plan addressing heating & cooling demand from buildings and industry, based on various decentralized solutions, adding resilience to the energy system, including dedicated roadmaps for direct renewable heating solutions, such as solar thermal”.
