Solar Heating Worldwide (2005)

This report from 2005, published by Solar Heating and Cooling Programme (SHC) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) relates the solar thermal capacity previously installed in important markets worldwide. It further reports the contribution of solar plants to the supply of energy and the CO2 emissions reduction, resulting from operating these plants.

The 35 countries included in this report represent 3.7 billion people which is about 57% of the world’s population. The collector area installed in these countries (92.7 GWth corresponding to 132 million square meters) is estimated to represent 85-90% of the solar thermal market worldwide.

Interesting insights about the use of solar thermal energy in the different countries and regions are provided. For instance, in the North America (USA and Canada) swimming pool heating is dominant with an installed capacity of 17.9 GWth of unglazed plastic collectors, while in China (35.5 GWth), Europe (10.1 GWth) and Japan (8.9 GWth) plants with flat-plate and evacuated tube collectors are mainly used to prepare hot water and for space heating.
The most dynamic markets for flat-plate and evacuated tube collectors worldwide are in China, Australia and New Zealand as well as in Europe. The average annual growth rate between 1999 and 2003 was 27% China, 23% in Australia and New Zealand and 11% in Europe. The worldwide market of unglazed collectors for swimming pool heating recorded a decrease in 2003 after an increase between 1999 and 2002.

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