The solar thermal energy sector in EU has had an annual turnover of EUR3 billion. It employs 40,000 people (in the main in SMEs). Although currently the level of solar energy in low-and-average-temperature-heat consumption is less than 1%, according to the European Solar Thermal Technology Platform, by 2050 it is increase to 50% to reach an installed power above 2500 GW. There will be more than 8 sq.m. of solar thermal collectors per head of population. Completely new solar energy generation technologies integrated with buildings will be introduced at the same time producing hot water, heating and cooling. They will also be set up to produce average temperature heat (120-180C) widely used in industry.
According to a study conducted by Aneta Więcko and Michał Kwasiborski from the Renewable Energy Institute (EC BREC IEO) on solar collector sales statistics in 2008, and based on a questionnaire distributed among local producers and distributors, it turns out that in 2008 nearly 130,000 m2 solar collectors were sold in Poland. That would indicate that the annual market growth rate exceeded 90% and was one of the highest in EU. Annual turnover of solar heating systems (central heating and hot water)
on the local market can be estimated at PLN 400 million. The total area of solar collectors in Poland exceeded 365,000 m2 (equivalent to 255 MW thermal power). Annual production and use of heat from solar collectors at the level of about 500TJ exceeded in 2008 and in 2009 will most likely exceed the amount of green heat both from geothermal sources and biogas (mainly recycling heat from cogeneration).
“Currently, the most important element for solar energy in “Poland’s Energy Policy to 2030” is finding a way to reach the level of 15% of renewable energy source in energy end-use, divided into individual types of energy together with the Action Plan. In accordance with the new directive 2009/28/WE of 23 April 2009 in regard to promoting the use of energy from renewable sources, the National Action Plan ought to be presented to the European Commission by the end of June 2010 for final agreement”, says Iwona Gawłowska from the Energy Department at the Ministry of the Economy.
ESTTP expects that in 2030 the strength of thermal solar energy systems in the EU will reach 200 GW, and the cost of solar collectors will drop to EUR400/ m2. It assumes that 50% of all buildings (including all new ones) will be equipped with a solar system, and 50% of all low temperature heat requirements in the EU will be covered by solar systems.
Investments in solar energy in Poland are supported financially by the National Fund for Environment Protection and Water Management and EkoFundusz (EcoFund). In between 2001-2009 the former conducted more than 181 projects in the area of solar energy worth more than PLN 12 million supporting local government, and less frequently businesses, and concentrating on supporting large installations. While EkoFundusz introduced the so-called fast track for financing solar collectors (for projects with an area of more than 50 m2), within which about 30,000 m2 was financed. The total effectiveness of solar installations built with EkoFund support reaches 50%.
EU funds are also waiting “for takers”. A sum of EUR23.3 billion has been put aside in the Operational Programme Regions for 2007-2013 (in practice until 2015), and EUR1.9 billion from the “Infrastructure and Environment” Operational Programme for activities aimed at increasing electrical and heat energy obtained from renewable sources, including solar collectors. Unfortunately, only large projects, above PLN 20 million, can apply for the funds, which in practice results in the need for an investor, or a contractor to “bundle” smaller projects together.
The solar energy sector, especially manufacturers of devices and solar system components, can apply for funds to improve the industry’s competitiveness and innovation from the “Infrastructure and Environment” and “Innovative Economy” Operational Programmes. JB
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