Solar obligations: first comprehensive study on best practice published by ESTIF



Solar thermal action plan for Europe.

The first comprehensive study on solar obligations was published by ESTIF on September 18th 2007. The study is based on case studies and experiences from five countries. Solar obligations are considered as a key instrument to promote a renewable and sustainable heat supply in Europe. Solar obligations are regulations requiring a minimum share of the heating demand to be covered by solar energy. They are usually applied to new buildings and those undergoing major renovation. In the last few years, solar or renewable heat obligations have been adopted or are being discussed in a number of countries, regions and municipalities in Europe and beyond. In July 2007, a wide majority of the ITRE Committee of the European Parliament called on the European Commission to speed up the widespread adoption of such regulations in all Member States.

Within the completion of the Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe, ESTIF (European Solar Thermal Industry Federation) has published the first comprehensive study on solar obligations. The 60 pages include a short history on solar obligations, a thorough analysis of their costs and benefits, a description of the necessary quality assurance measures and detailed political and technical guidelines for the creation of solar or renewable heat obligations.

Raffaele Piria, ESTIF Policy Director, stated: "We have been promoting solar obligations for years, and we are very glad to see them coming into the policy mainstream. The sheer announcement of the Spanish building code triggered a wave of investments in our industry. However, obligations must be carefully designed. There was a strong need for solid analysis and clear guidelines and we have good answers now."

Free study on the Internet

The study is freely downloadable at www.estif.org/stap and has been supported by the “Key Issues for Renewable Heat in Europe” (K4RES-H) project, co-financed by the Intelligent Energy - Europe Programme of the European Commission and coordinated by ESTIF. The whole Solar Thermal Action Plan for Europe is available at: www.estif.org/stap. ESTIF is proud to support the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign: http://www.sustenergy.org.