After more than a decade of disappointing results, the market for individual solar thermal applications experienced particularly strong growth in 2021. Sales of individual solar water heaters (CESI) and solar combined systems (SSC) in mainland France increased by more than 50% to settle at 34.550 m2 against 22.530 in 2020.
In mainland France, the market is finally taking off
The energy crisis, the increase in electricity or gas prices and the ever more assertive desire for autonomy on the part of consumers are the driving forces behind this recovery. The actors also salute the role of MaPrimeRénov' which has made it possible to broaden consumer profiles by offering subsidized financial aid for the most modest incomes. On the other hand, professionals believe that the new RE2020 regulation does not correctly value solar solutions, thus extending a bias already denounced in the previous regulation (RT2012).
In the overseas territories, activity certainly recorded a decline in 2021 (89.050 m2 against 101.285 in 2020) but remained at a level well above that of mainland France. Driven by subsidies that finance a large part of the equipment, individual solar water heaters equip a good number of individuals in the DROMs.
As a whole, professionals in the individual solar thermal applications sector show their optimism for the next two years, believing that the pressures on the prices of electricity, gas and fuel oil are playing in their favour. The good feedback from sales in the first half of 2022 confirms this feeling.
These findings come from the two studies that Observ'ER (Renewable Energies Observatory) has just published on the market for individual solar thermal applications. A quantitative study covers market volumes and price trends. A second, qualitative, analyzes the position of the actors on the news of the last 12 months.
Both studies are available for download at the following links:
