Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2 200 000
m²
2 000 000
1 800 000
1 600 000
1 400 000
1 200 000
1 000 000
800 000
600 000
400 000
200 000
0
Figure 6.23
Annual newly installed collector area in Germany.
Data: (Bundesverband
Solarwirtschaft, 2009).
saving the emission of around one million tons of carbon dioxide each year. Although
this is an impressive number, it still falls far short of saving the climate.
6.8 Outlook and Development Potential
During the past fi fteen years the solar thermal market in Europe has increased more
than tenfold. The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) has formu-
lated an ambitious target for Europe. According to ESTIF about one square metre
of installed collector area per capita could be possible until 2020 and more than
three square metres in the long term (Figure 6.24). This would be 60 times more
than in 2008. The number of people employed in the European solar thermal sector
could then increase to hundreds of thousands. The potential is considerably higher
Figure 6.24
Many roofs still have space for solar collectors.
Photos: www.wagner-solar.com.
