Heating systems

The use of solar heating systems and heat pumps is an important factor in enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency in European households.

What are solar heating systems?

These systems are installed on roofs to absorb solar radiation and convert it into heat. More specifically, solar energy is used to heat water or, more generally, a liquid for the purpose of heating or hot water. Solar heating systems are considered an environmentally friendly solution as they utilise renewable energy and help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

What are heat pumps?

A combination of a heat pump and a photovoltaic system is particularly useful because they complement each other perfectly. The photovoltaic system generates electricity from sunlight - without any CO₂ emissions. The heat pump can use this electricity to heat the house or produce hot water. This means less electricity is needed from the grid, which saves costs and protects the climate. In Europe, the targets for reducing overall energy consumption and energy costs have been achieved through the efficient use of heat pumps in combination with photovoltaics. Households in Germany, Italy, and Spain were able to reduce their energy costs by 62 to 84 percent. 

Further information:  Solar PV + Heat Pump combos saved Europeans up to 84% on household energy bills in 2022

What economic and environmental incentives exist?

In order to implement the above technologies, it is necessary to incentivize both the environmental sector by using energy from renewable sources to reduce CO2 emissions and the economic sector with subsidies and low-interest loans to mitigate the high initial costs. Initial costs and space requirements, combined with low efficiency in harsh conditions and the absence of stable solar radiation, can be a challenge for their implementation. Despite these challenges, the integration of technologies is growing in Europe due to the significant environmental and economic benefits.