Solar District Heating Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The solar district heating market is anticipated to expand its roots at an average CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. The market is likely to hold a revenue of USD 2.77 billion in 2023 while it is anticipated to cross a value of USD 5.26 billion by 2033. 

The global market for solar district heating is growing significantly due to factors such as several people getting jobs and the number of businesses around the world increasing. Power and heat are going to be needed hugely because people require them largely.

Further, the global solar district heating market is rising due to government regulations. The market for solar district heating systems is also driving due to certain incentives. As a way to meet this need, solar-powered district heating systems are being looked at.

The global solar district heating market is expanding because of strict government rules to cut carbon emissions. The market for solar district heating systems is also flourishing because of favorable government programs that encourage the use of solar heating systems in public places.

Many businesses and government bodies are switching from a traditional community heating system to solar district heating since they care about the environment.

Rapid urbanization is one of the main factors behind the growth of the global solar district heating market. Growing cities and a need for energy-efficient solutions that don't use a lot of carbon are bolstering the market growth further.

Solar-distributed heating systems offer zero-emission solutions, which consequently increases demand for solar district heating systems. It might be hard for the solar district heating market to grow because there are other options and it takes a lot of space and money to put in solar district heating systems.

Attributes Details
Solar District Heating Market CAGR (2023 to 2033) 6.6%
Solar District Heating Market Size (2023) USD 2.77 billion
Solar District Heating Market Size (2033) USD 5.26 billion

Don't pay for what you don't need

Customize your report by selecting specific countries or regions and save 30%!

What are the Main Factors Driving the Growth of the Solar District Heating Market?

Advanced Infrastructure Advancements, such as Smart Cities and Future Projects Present Significant Possibilities for Solar District Heating Solution Providers.

A traditional community heating system employs a certain type of heat source, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, which means that the cost of heating is entirely determined by the price of that fuel. In a solar-distributed heating system, heat is produced at central units with multiple photon energy generators.

Solar district heating is particularly adaptable when it comes to the choice of the heat source; surplus heat from industrial, CHP, and boilers is a direct transfer to the grid. Solar district heating allows big district heating systems with several heat sources to readily convert on factors such as price, available heat source, and environmental goals.

In solar district heating, photons from direct sunlight are used to generate energy which can be used further to cover heating requirements in several houses instead of utilizing individual heating systems.

Solar district heating firms have the option of selecting the least expensive heat-generating source, i.e. sunlight. This improves production and supply efficiency; as a result, solar district heating solutions provide consumers with cost-effective and efficient heating services, driving the solar district heating market growth.

What are the Market Thresholds for Solar District Heating?

Solar district heating system consists of a heat-producing unit, which contains photocells to generate energy into the desired form. Here, it is heat that might be further delivered to end users; and auxiliary equipment, including heat exchangers and heat meters.

The establishment of solar district heating systems involves a substantial amount of investments in infrastructure compared with individual heating supply choices. The money may ne be used to set up a heat generation unit and a distribution network.

The investment required for a solar district heating system varies depending on its kind. Large investments are necessary for panels and renewable heat sources, whilst small investments are required for heat obtained from excess heat from industries and data centers.

Panel and grid systems for solar district heating transmission and distribution are critical and need significant investment as well. The connected grid must be of exceptional quality to avoid heat loss. Apart from the significant investment, solar district heating solution suppliers are hesitant to spend since environmental regulations are always changing, limiting the solar district heating market growth.

Nikhil Kaitwade
Nikhil Kaitwade

Principal Consultant

Talk to Analyst

Find your sweet spots for generating winning opportunities in this market.

What are the Latest Solar District Heating Market Trends?

Solar district heating companies are projected to benefit greatly from technological advancements and digitalization. The significant adoption of advanced technology products and solutions, such as smart meters, demand-based heating solutions, home automation, smart infrastructure, and many others, is further accelerating digitalization.

Consumers can play an active role in balancing future heating needs by using these alternatives. Rapid technological advancement reduces heating expenses while increasing efficiency. As new buildings require solar district heating systems, advanced infrastructure developments, such as smart cities and planned projects, create considerable potential for solar district heating solution providers.

Large thermal transfer surfaces and the ability to deploy modern solar district heating systems are available in new infrastructures. Furthermore, because it procures heat from a reliable and renewable source based on availability, solar district heating networks are expected to play a key role in enabling energy-efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-effective.

Advanced solar district heating systems can take advantage of heating network synergies to improve efficiency, dependability, and cost-effectiveness. As a result, technological advancements in the solar district heating sector are expected to open up a lot of doors for solution providers and manufacturers.

How are Some Challenges Hindering the Growth of the Solar District Heating Market?

The key equipment in a solar district heating system is heat generation and distribution; solar district heating companies' suppliers confront issues in delivering heat from the source to end users with minimal or no heat loss. Solar panels that deliver heat must be suitably insulated and sturdy for transportation; else, heat will be lost.

Traditional community heating system, on the other hand, does not care if heat is lost through heating pipes linking radiators because it stays within the heating premises. However, in solar district heating, losing heat through distribution channels results in a loss of money and heat, which is not cost-effective.

To limit or avoid heat loss during heat distribution, powerful heat exchangers and smart meters are required. As a result, the demand for durable heat-transporting equipment offers a hurdle to the solar district heating market growth

Get the data you need at a Fraction of the cost

Personalize your report by choosing insights you need
and save 40%!

Country-wise Insights

Asia Pacific solar district heating industry is growing due to favorable legislative reforms and expanding renewable investments. Current government initiatives, expanding urbanization, and rising residential development spending have greatly boosted the sector's outlook. For example, in the last decade, Japan has had roughly 86 DHC operators.

Increasing economic expansion, increased industrial activity, and rising heating needs might boost solar district heating market demand. The USA solar district heating market is estimated to rise by almost 6% by 2025.

Growing concerned about emissions reduction and increasing expenditures in commercial and residential infrastructure might help the solar district heating market outlook. Demand for sustainable, efficient, and dependable heating systems, as well as strict green construction laws and standards, are all going to help the solar district heating market.

The Residential Solar District Heating Market is Likely to Reach USD 3 billion by 2025.

Increasing Spending on Housing and Apartment Building, together with Government Regulations to Minimize Carbon Emissions, might Drive Sector Growth.

The growing expansion of inner-city regions might also increase demand for small-scale systems.

According to the recent projection by Future Market Insights, the global solar district heating market is anticipated to cross USD 5 billion by 2032. Strict energy efficiency standards and government emission reduction mandates are going to drive the solar district heating sector. Changing climatic circumstances due to increased surface temperatures might spur industry growth.

Investments in key commercial and industrial institutions, including hotels, manufacturing, chemicals, and pulp & paper factories, might drive large-scale systems. A few significant factors that might propel the solar district heating sector include:

  • Continuous technological innovation.
  • Extensive product development.
  • Minimal thermal losses, and energy efficiency.

The vast potential of thermal energy as a critical source of heat and energy across diverse districts is likely to open up new business opportunities. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in emerging economies also drive the solar district heating market share. Moreover, accelerating infrastructure investments and rising primary energy consumption from developing nations might boost the business picture.

Country Revenue Share % (2023)
The United States 26.8%
Germany 6.9%
Japan 4.5%
Australia 0.5%
Country CAGR % (2023 to 2033)
China 7.0%
India 6.2%
The United Kingdom 6.7%

What is the Solar District Heating Market Regional Demand Analysis?

Solar district heating systems use and distribute heat from a variety of sources that might otherwise be wasted. These sources include waste heat from electricity generation, forestry residuals, and municipal garbage. Also, estimates show that heat waste from energy generation and large companies in Europe is enough to cover all heating needs.

Aarhus, Denmark, is also a city that is notably expanding in population. The AffaldVarme Aarhus announced its focus on energy efficiency. The company sought to reduce energy consumption. Germany is one of the leading users of solar district heating systems. About 14% of houses in Germany use solar district heating systems.

Hamburg's solar district heating network supplies 19% of all houses. According to Fluid Flow, this number is going to climb by 50,000 dwellings by 2020. In addition, NEFCO initiated the Sweden-Ukraine solar district heating program in Kyiv in October 2019. It aims to fund and assist ecological-friendly and energy-efficient solar district heating projects across Ukraine. Sweden provides funds for co-financing investments and technical assistance to the program. These elements might propel Europe’s growth in the future years.

Category-Wise Landscape

Category By Application
Leading Segment Commercial
Market Share (2023) 47.8%
Category By System
Leading Segment Small System
Market Share (2023) 41.2%

The global solar district heating market can be divided into three types of end-users: residential, commercial, and industrial. During the forecast period, the industrial and commercial industries are expected to increase significantly. This is due to the significant development in commercial building construction, such as hotels, malls, hospitals, and industrial complexes, which are likely to feed the demand for solar district heating systems.

Solar district heating plants are large-scale solar thermal plants that produce and distribute heat to end consumers via district heating systems. District heating and solar thermal energy are essential components of the heat-producing sector's energy transition.

The availability of conventional energy sources is limited, allowing for the utilization of renewable energy. Renewable energy is predicted to take a substantial share of the global energy market in the future due to its environmentally beneficial characteristics.

Competition Scenario

The solar district heating market is not competitive, but there are a lot of big global and local players operating in the market. These companies are spending a lot of money on research and development to come up with new solutions, make strategic alliances, and adopt other organic and inorganic growth strategies to stay ahead of their competitors over the next few years.

Market Developments:

  • If you want to buy energy for 10 years, you will have to buy it from Vattenfall or Power & Air Solutions, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom. This is called an energy supply contract (CPPA), and it is based on solar power. The customer built a new solar park in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in mid-2021. The electricity comes from the new solar park. The plant might be able to produce 60 megawatts of electricity when it is fully built (MW).
  • In February 2020 ENGIE Africa and its subsidiary, AUSAR Energy, started building eight hybrid solar power plants in Gabon's northwest. They did this with the help of the Caisse des Dépôts ET Consignment du Gabon, a bank in Gabon. It is a big pilot project that aims to get energy to remote villages and help the environment.
  • Aalborg CSP has added new affordable ways of installation through CSP parabolic troughs, flat-plate solar collectors, combination plants, and accumulation tanks.

Key Players Working in the Solar District Heating Market

  • LOGSTOR A/S
  • Orsted A/S
  • NRG Energy
  • Aalborg CSP
  • Statkraft
  • STEAG GmbH

Key Segments Covered

By System:

  • Small systems
  • Large systems

By Application:

  • Residential
  • Commercial
    • College/university
    • Office Buildings
    • Government/Military
    • Others
  • Industrial
    • Chemical
    • Refinery
    • Paper

Key Regions Covered:

  • North America
    • The United States
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • The United Kingdom
    • France
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Japan
  • Asia Pacific Excluding Japan(APEJ)
    • China
    • India
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Australia
    • Rest of Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ)
  • The Middle East and Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • South Africa
    • The Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Solar District Heating Market CAGR for 2033?

The solar district heating market CAGR for 2033 is 6.6%.

How Big Will the Solar District Heating Market by 2033?

The market is estimated to reach USD 5.26 billion by 2033.

How Key Players are Developing the Solar District Heating Market?

Key solar district heating market players are developing by collaborating with other companies.

What is the Current Solar District Heating Market Valuation?

The market is estimated to secure a valuation of USD 2.77 billion in 2023.

Who are the Three Key Players in the Solar District Heating Market?

Aalborg CSP, Vattenfall, and Fortum. are the three key solar district heating market players.

Table of Content
	1. Executive Summary
	2. Market Overview
	3. Market Background
	4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
	5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By System
		5.1. Small systems
		5.2. Large systems
	6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Application
		6.1. Residential
		6.2. Commercial
			6.2.1. College/university
			6.2.2. Office Buildings
			6.2.3. Government/Military
			6.2.4. Others
		6.3. Industrial
			6.3.1. Chemical
			6.3.2. Refinery
			6.3.3. Paper
			6.3.4. Others
	7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region
		7.1. North America
		7.2. Latin America
		7.3. Europe
		7.4. South Asia
		7.5. East Asia
		7.6. Oceania
		7.7. MEA
	8. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	9. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	10. Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	11. South Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	12. East Asia Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	13. Oceania Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	14. MEA Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	15. Key Countries Market Analysis
	16. Market Structure Analysis
	17. Competition Analysis
		17.1. Aalborg CSP A/S
		17.2. Alfa Laval
		17.3. Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd
		17.4. Fortum
		17.5. Göteborg Energi
		17.6. LOGSTOR A/S
		17.7. Ramboll Group A/S
		17.8. Savosolar
		17.9. Soltigua
		17.10. Vattenfall AB
	18. Assumptions & Acronyms Used
	19. Research Methodology
Recommendations

Oil and Gas

Solar Pumps Market

April 2023

REP-GB-520

324 pages

Explore Oil and Gas Insights

View Reports
Future Market Insights

Solar District Heating Market

Schedule a Call