"Our annual statistics report, Solar Heat Worldwide, details the positive impact of solar heating and cooling technologies on climate protection. Record number of solar district heating installations in Denmark over the last years generated interest in other parts of the world like in Germany, France, Eastern Europe and China."
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Key Findings from Solar Heat Worldwide
Solar heat -- one of the top three renewable sources driving climate protection.
In 2019, solar thermal systems produced 479 GWth. This equates to 43 million tons of oil saved and 138 million tons of CO2 emissions avoided.
Strong Growth Rates in Several of the Largest Solar Thermal Markets
Significant growth was reported from some of the top 20 countries worldwide in 2019, proving that solar thermal systems are cost-competitive in various applications.
Large Solar Heat Plants on the Rise
China reported very good sales of large hot water systems in 2019, resulting in record additions of 74 new large systems (>350 kWth, 500 m2) be put up globally last year.
By the end of 2019, about 400 large-scale solar thermal systems (>350 kWth, 500 m2) were in operation. The total installed collector area of these systems equaled 2.3 million m2 (1,615 MWth), excluding concentrating solar thermal systems and PVT collectors that add up to 162,784 m2.
Attractive Solution: Solar Heating for Horticulture
A 6.5 MWth collector field heats a greenhouse in Heerhugowaard,
the Netherlands, since 2019. Photo: G2 Energy
Solar heated greenhouses are an attractive option for large horticulture farmer in Europe. One of the largest new solar collector fields put up in Europe last year was a 6.5 MWth plant for a Freesia farm in the Netherlands (photo: G2 Energy). In total, more than 800 solar heat systems for industry and agriculture are in operation worldwide with a capacity of 700 MWth.
PV-Thermal Used for a Wide Range of Applications
Hybrid or PV-thermal technologies enjoy increasing interest among residential and commercial housing owners around the world. Solar air systems dominate the PVT market mainly driven by France where almost all manufactured PVT collectors use air as heat transfer medium. Uncovered PVT collectors in combination with heat pumps are an attractive solution for single-family houses or commercial buildings.
PVT systems by application. (Source: IEA SHC Task 60 survey, AEE INTEC)
Solar Heat Worldwide in Brief
Solar Heat Worldwide is published on an annual basis since 2005. With data from 68 countries, it is the most comprehensive evaluation of solar heating and cooling markets worldwide. Lead authors are Werner Weiss und Monika Spörk-Dür from the Austrian research institute AEE INTEC. Solar Heat Worldwide has a solid reputation as a reference source among international organizations including REN21 and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The study was again the main contributor for the solar heating and cooling chapters of REN21’s Renewable 2020 Global Status Report, which is one of the primary policy adviser reports on renewables.