14 May 2012: The solar heating and cooling programme of the International Energy Agency (IEA SHC) has published the 2012 edition of their statistical volume “Solar Heat Worldwide.” The publication indicates that despite the economic crisis, the solar heating market grew by 14% in 2010, with installed capacities of solar collectors reaching 196 GWth.

The report provides data from 55 countries, representing more than 60% of the world’s population and over 90% of the global solar thermal market. It indicates that the majority of the total 2010 capacity was installed in China (117.6 GWth) and in Europe (36.0 GWth), which together accounted for 78.5% of the total capacity.

The report notes that most of the existing systems provide domestic hot water only (95%). However, it highlights that in some countries, combisystems (systems that also cover a portion of space heating demand) have become a major application in the market. Furthermore, it finds that industrial applications, district heating and air conditioning are also growing solar thermal applications. The report concludes that taken together, combisystems and other applications beyond domestic water heating reached 10% of newly installed systems in 2010. [IEA SHC Press Release] [IEA SHC Solar Heat Worldwide]