The market in Sweden grew rapidly until around 2006.  After that the market started to decline.

Larger systems have had a positive trend in recent years. This is, however, largely due to a budget shift in the former subsidy program.  An investment subsidy was in place from 2000 until 2011. 

Expected sales in 2012 are around 10 MWth.

The sale of unglazed pool collectors shown in the diagram may include export.  This market has not been included in the subsidy program.

Typical applications in Sweden are combined domestic hot water and space heating systems in single-family houses, multi-family houses, often in combination with solid wood boilers (i.e. wood chips, logs, pellets, and briquettes).  You can also find solar heating in small district heating systems, and combinations of solar collectors and heat pumps in, for example, single-family houses.

Some solar energy systems may be initiated due to the national building regulation, which includes solar heat as an option to meet the requirements.  Key barriers are the low price for alternative energy supply and a lack of information on solar heating systems among actors and consumers.  A main competitor in the small systems segment are heat pumps, and for large systems district heating (including combined heat and power generation) based on, for example, solid wood fuels, municipal solid waste, and industrial waste heat.

In Sweden, there are a few solar collector manufacturing companies, which cover about 50% of the domestic collector market, and one single absorber manufacturer with export.  Different approaches are used to market the systems, but mainly this is done via the installers.

Estimates from the Swedish Solar Energy Association suggest that there are 200 jobs (full time equivalent) currently in Sweden related to the solar thermal industry, including installation and related service (testing, etc.). The assumption is that 100 m² of collectors installed will create 1 job.

The costs for small systems are in the range around 5 000 Euro (5 m², 300 litre) and the large systems are in the range from 1 000 to 300 Euro/m² (excl. VAT) depending on size.

A key topic for the industry is the absence of governmental subsidies for solar heating systems.  Another key issue is the competition with heat pumps and district heating.

The focus in Sweden is on low-energy buildings and nearly zero-energy buildings. There is no separate focus on solar buildings. At the same time, many of these buildings are equipped with solar heating systems.

The market for new buildings has decreased somewhat over the last years. It can be expected that the market for construction will take a few years to recover.

The main drivers for low energy buildings are local policies of cities and companies who want to reach ambitious energy and environmental targets.

There is no separate information on solar buildings.

There is no separate information on solar buildings.

None.

No national R&D program is entirely and specifically devoted towards solar thermal energy.

There is, however, a broad research and innovation programme within the energy and construction sector where solar heating projects can be funded. This program is called CERBOF, which is a Swedish acronym for "the Centre for Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Built Environment". The Swedish Energy Agency runs the programme in collaboration with various partners in the construction sector.

Furthermore, The Swedish Energy Agency also funds research and development projects in the solar thermal area, freestanding from different on-going R&D programs.

Some innovative hybrid collectors has been developed in Sweden.

Energy goals/targets for Sweden are stated in the Government’s integrated climate and energy policy bills from 2009.The goals include energy policy targets by 2020, including a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, at least 50% use of renewable energy, and a 20% more efficient energy end use. Also, the use of fossil fuels for space and tap water heating is to be phased out by 2020.

There are no specific and quantitative energy policy targets, directly related to solar heating (nor for solar PV).

At the same time, there are various policies (national, local and commercial) and measures that can influence the development and implementation of solar thermal systems.

The main agency is the Swedish Energy Agency, www.energimyndigheten.se/en/.

There are no direct support measures for solar heating, but there are several indirect measures like taxes on fossil fuels and energy efficiency requirements for new buildings.

For solar building the main incentive can still be considered to be local energy and climate policies.

A generally applicable tax deduction is possible for all refurbishments, rebuilding, and add-on building, including solar thermal systems. This subsidy can give up to a 50% reduction in labour costs for installation and connection of solar panels and associated equipment. Labour costs are generally 30% of the total investment cost, including VAT. The tax reduction is then half of this amount.

The Swedish solar industry is organised through Solar Energy Association of Sweden, SEAS,( Svensk Solenergi, SSE) –  www.svensksolenergi.se

There are several Swedish organisations for green and sustainable buildings, e.g. “Sweden Green Building Council”, www.sgbc.se

“Energimagasinet” is a monthly magazine that covers economics and technology relating to production, distribution and use of electricity, heat and steam nationally and internationally. The magazine is aimed primarily at decision-makers and other energy experts in the energy business, industry, municipalities, government agencies and universities. Their main target group includes professionals in the energy business, energy-intensive industries, energy advisors, consultants, etc. The Solar Energy Association of Sweden (SEAS) has a co-operation with the journal. www.energimagasinet.com.

"Energi & Miljö" is a monthly magazine that informs on the development of heating, ventilation, indoor climate, plumbing, refrigeration and energy technology. Readers consists of industrial executives, consulting engineers, building services contractors, wholesalers, builders, real estate administrators and employees at official institutions and companies, governmental and municipal authorities (www.energi-miljo.se)

"Ny Teknik" is Sweden’s largest technology and IT newspaper and publishes technolgy news, product trends and innovations. The newspaper reports every week on growing sectors such as IT, telecom, energy, biotechnology and how new technology is being used within industry (www.nyteknik.se).

"Byggindustrin" ("The Construction Industry") is the industry's leading news magazine and is published every week. The newspaper includes reports and articles on technology, housing, building materials, finance, and architecture (www.byggindustrin.com)

"Energivärlden" is the Swedish Energy Agency's magazine and is published five times a year. It is aimed at anyone interested in energy issues.
www.energimyndigheten.se/Press/Tidningen-Energivarlden