The solar thermal sector in Europe started working together around 25 years ago and ESTIF was formed to bring the sector together, promote its interests under a common force and act as a driving force for the recognition of renewable energy in Europe, as well as renewable heating and cooling.
Renewable energy sources have now become a central piece of the energy system in Europe and solar heat is also playing a relevant role, more specifically in renewable heating and cooling. Today, there are over 10 million solar heat systems installed in Europe. Over these 25 years, the solar heat sector has brought to the market a proven and reliable technology. Today they apply advanced technology, from nanotechnology to laser, in order to make the most out of a simple concept: using the heat from the Sun to bring warmth to European citizens.
With heat representing close to half of the energy demand in Europe, the decarbonisation of the heat demand in Europe is the main challenge facing Europeans when striving to reduce its greenhouse gases emissions, honouring the Paris Agreement but most of all, respecting our Planet and its sustainability. Solar Heat technology is flexible and adaptable to European citizens’ and business needs. It can take the shape of a small thermosiphon system in Cyprus to a large 100 MW solar district heating plant in Denmark and it goes beyond that, also providing solutions for solar cooling!
Furthermore, European companies are at the forefront of the innovation, implementing new challenging ideas and putting in place record-breaking projects year after year. This innovation capacity is bringing Solar Heat into the future, into being an important part of a sustainable future.
“The solar heat sector invites the European citizens to play an active role in protecting the environment and fighting climate change at their own level” said Robin Welling, President of Solar Heat Europe (ESTIF). “We are also providing a sustainable future for our society. Together with citizens all over Europe, we build a future where we can warm ourselves without warming the climate.”
The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) was established in 2002, resulting from the merger of two Associations, ESIF (European Solar Industry Federation), set up in 1992, and ASTIG (Active Solar Thermal Industry Group). As Solar Heat Europe, the group’s mission is to achieve high priority and acceptance for solar heat as a key element for sustainable heating and cooling in Europe and to work for the implementation of all necessary steps to realise the high potential of solar heat. It has around 50 members in Europe, meaning that Solar Heat Europe represents directly or indirectly over 90 percent of the industry, across the value chain.
Solar Heat Europe also ensures that solar heat technology can develop and grow in Europe through different actions such as providing information and statistics on the sector or by advocating for better regulation or encouraging the EU policy makers to shape a favourable environment for heating and cooling technology.
Image: Solar thermal panels on a roof
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