Solar Thermal Water Heaters

California pushes forward with it's $360 million solar heating program offering financial incentives and market developments through 2018. Similar solar water incentives are setting the standard for renewable energy solar tax credits, Department of Energy. 

Worldwide statistics prove that the solar thermal industry is taking large steps in fulfilling heating and cooling demand. Most of the countries around the world have already adopted incentive programs for both solar water heating and space heating. Whereas in other countries, such as the United States, lag in solar thermal systems that have been widely utilized for so many years even without incentives. 

A primary deciding factor for a household to install a solar thermal system is the payback times of their investment. The driving factors of the investment payback time are the combined cost of the systems and alternatives heating systems.  

For example, Austria has led as a pioneer in European solar thermal industry since the 1970s due to gas scarcity; solar thermal companies were developing their technologies while the state was creating public awareness and incentive programs for domestic solar heating systems. 

Solar water heating systems are also widespread in Turkey as most of its southern cities did not have access to gas pipelines until recently. Turkey has a big climatic advantage for solar systems; however, the jump into domestic space heating has not been realized yet. 

Israel and Cyprus are two countries with no solar incentives at all, but all new buildings must be able to supply a portion of their heating demand via solar thermal systems. Spain adopted a building law in 2006, very similar to that of Israel, and became the second largest for solar thermal in Europe while increasing its installed capacity dramatically. Additional global installed solar thermal capacity data can be found at the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation and Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century. 

Worldwide, most data indicates that China, Turkey, Japan and Israel are leading the solar water heater industry all historically strong players in the solar thermal business. All these countries have substantial irradiation; however, Europeans succeeded in a rapid growth during the last five years. Despite their cloudy and cold climate, Germany is the market locomotive in Europe. The fluctuating price of foreign natural gas is one of the main reasons of European success. 

Great studies such as the Potential of Solar Thermal in Europe study published by ESTIF, Europe can deploy solar thermal systems covering 47% of its total heating and cooling demand by 2050, in the case where substantial financial and political support mechanisms together with energy efficiency measures and research activities are activated. 

Most analysts expect annual growth rates of 26% worldwide in the solar heating industry until 2020. Conservative estimates put growth rates in Europe at 11% of its total heating and cooling demand by solar thermal systems by 2050. 

China is leading investments at $46 billion, 2009 to reduce carbon emissions worldwide. According to Renewables Global Status Report, China installed three quarters of the global added capacity in 2008 and remains a leader in the solar thermal industry boasting more than 65% of existing world capacity. Due to the low production costs and traditional use of cheap and compact systems, solar water heating systems have existed for a number of decades in China. 

About Author

Mr. Rickman is a respected analyst, innovative expert in business development and sustainable media services with over 30-years experience, published worldwide. http://www.sustainablevirtualbiz.com