This study was to assess and describe the current status of the worldwide solar thermal (ST) industry for all major residential and commercial technologies, and assess the potential growth of that industry. More specifically, the study included the following objectives: (1) summarize existing residential and commercial ST technologies and promising emerging technologies that are under development; (2) evaluate the existing ST industry, focusing on producers of each major viable residential or commercial ST technology; and (3) assess market potential for residential and commercial ST technologies over a 5–year period, from 2009 through 2014.
 
Driven by the intensification and increased global awareness surrounding several energy–related issues, including energy costs and security, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate change, air and water pollution, and other environmental and economic concerns, worldwide interest in alternative energy is rising rapidly. The application of ST technologies represents one of several potential solutions that are being widely implemented by residential and commercial energy consumers to address these issues. Residential and commercial ST technologies represent effective, economically viable opportunities for businesses and individuals to reduce grid–energy and/or fossil–fuel consumption for process heating.

Broad–based support for alternative energy as a solution to energy security, global warming, and rising energy prices has generated tremendous interest in solar energy technologies. Although heavily publicized by participant industries, residential– and commercial–scale photovoltaic (PV) technologies have yet to demonstrate grid parity with traditional energy sources, and continue to carry high procurement costs, which dampen market penetration. ST technologies, on the other hand, are technologically mature and remain economically viable for far more residential and commercial purchasers. A newfound emphasis on alternative and solar energy stands to directly benefit the residential ST technology industry, whose markets have evidenced substantial growth within the past decade. This study assesses market conditions that have facilitated the ongoing implementation of ST technologies around the world.
 
We have completed a study of residential and commercial ST technologies, along with relevant market and production information, technological descriptions and issues, applications, market factors and potential, and an overview of supporting incentives and regulations in major worldwide markets. Therefore, this study will be of interest to manufacturers of ST technologies, distributors, suppliers, and entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies interested in entering or expanding into the ST technology sector. It will also be of interest to corporate planners and strategists, large commercial and industrial energy consumers, energy market researchers, solar energy advocacy groups, and other public– and private–sector interest groups and market analysts. 
 
The scope of this investigation includes only major viable technologies and products, implemented in the residential and commercial sectors, to collect or absorb solar–thermal energy. As described in greater detail below, a complete ST system is comprised of one or more collectors, which collect solar energy, as well as various pipes, pumps, and other infrastructure necessary to convey solar–thermal energy from the collector to the intended point of use.

The pipes, pumps, and other ancillary infrastructure used in the installation of ST collectors are in some cases specialized in design to meet the requirements of a specific ST collector technology. More commonly, however, these ancillary features are simply pieced together by a contractor or installer out of standard materials (e.g., copper or plastic pipe, standard mounting brackets, water storage tanks, water pumps, etc.) that are not specific to the ST industry, and may be used for a wide array of purposes. In general, it is the ST collector itself that is specific in terms of technological application, and an ST unit cannot function without an ST collector. Therefore, for the purpose of clarity, the scope of this report is limited to ST collectors. All market information provided including data and relevant company profiles pertain specifically to ST collectors. Their sales and manufacturing volumes are presumed to be indicative of the performance of the entire residential and commercial ST technology industry. Ancillary features, as discussed above, are not included in the market data provided in this report, and manufacturers of these ancillary features are not included in the review of company profiles.

This report analyzes each major viable ST collector, determines its current market status, examines its impact on future markets, and presents forecasts of growth over the next 5 years. Technological issues, including the latest trends, are assessed and discussed, as are the current and likely regulatory environments in support of this industry. Emerging ST collector technologies not currently commercially viable, but which may become so within the next 5 years, are summarized, but are not included in the market assessment of this report.

This report analyzes the industry on a worldwide basis, from both manufacturing and implementation points of view and also examines government roles in support of ST technologies worldwide, including regulatory support and requirements, feed–in tariffs, and promotional incentives for various ST technologies, as relevant and available. Included is a review of the most relevant residential and commercial ST technologies, an examination of recent trends in dollars and unit sales, and industry overviews and market assessments for each currently–viable ST technology.

Report Highlights:

• Forecasts for the global solar thermal technologies market, providing data for 2005 through 2008, estimates for 2009, and projections for the market and compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) from 2009 to 2014
• Focus on water-heating and air-heating technologies in the market
• Explanations for technologies such as unglazed solar collectors, flat-plate solar collectors, evacuated-tube solar collectors, integral collector storage, concentrating solar collectors, glazed solar air collectors, and transpired solar air collectors
• Detailed company profiles and a patent analysis.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Chapter- 1: INTRODUCTION -- Complimentary

Chapter-2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Chapter-3: OVERVIEW OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SOLAR–THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES

Chapter-4: REGULATORY SUPPORT AND INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR–THERMAL ENERGY

Chapter-5: INDUSTRY STRUCTURE

Chapter-6: COMPANY PROFILES

Chapter-7: MAJOR MARKETS, ASSESSMENT, AND ANALYSIS

Chapter-8: APPENDIX