SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY FOR BUILDINGS – CURRENT STATE AND PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Almost 50% of final energy consumption in Europe and worldwide is addressed to thermal energy, which is significantly higher than energy needs for electricity for lighting and electrical appliances and for traffic. Building sector takes a significant share (about 40 %) in total primary energy consumption. Limited amounts of fossil fuels, their negative impact on environment, high and unstable prices and import dependency of fuels caused intensive growth and usage of solar thermal energy in the world. Solar heating and cooling are the most important solar sector worldwide, where installed solar system power is about 500 GWth and it is higher than PV system power and also the power of solar thermal plants. Today, according to the total installed collector capacity, China dominates on first place, then Europe, while United States comes right after, according to the SHC Agency data for 2016. With a district solar thermal plant in municipality Pančevo, Republic of Serbia also has its place at a world solar thermal map. This paper presents a review of different sizes, number, installed power and types of solar collectors and other characteristics of built solar thermal systems worldwide. Potential for possible usage of solar thermal system was identified and technological and other challenges and perspectives for future growth in the field of solar thermal energy were discussed.