Solar thermal collectors break new EU record

More than 2m square metres of solar thermal collectors were installed in Europe for the first time in 2005, EU-funded consortium EurObserv’ER has reported. High energy prices and improved government support are the key factors, it says. Germany still dominates, but the French market grew by three-quarters, compared with the EU-wide average of 23 per cent, thanks to a new incentive system. In total, there were 17.1m square metres of solar thermal collectors in the EU by the end of 2005, equivalent to about 12,000 MWth capacity. Details can be seen at the “solar termal barometer” at: www.energies-renouvelables.org/observ-er/stat_baro/observ/baro175.pdf