1,000,000 m² of installed solar collectors in Upper Austria
The 1 millionth square metre of solar collectors was installed in Upper Austria recently. 93,000 m2 were constructed only in 2008, an all-time record. In total, 988,000 m2 were installed on the roofs of homes and companies in Upper Austria at the end of 2008 and these days, the considerable sum of 1,000,000 square metres was achieved. The installed surface area yields in an annual heat output of 335 mio. kWh and contributes to a reduction of CO2 emissions of about 100,000 tons per year.
Solar region no. 1 in Austria and in forefront worldwide
25% of the total installed collector area in Austria are installed in Upper Austria with a strong solar market development during the past years. With more than 700 m2 per capita, Upper Austria is a leading region worldwide and with 1,000,000 m2 of installed solar collectors clearly the number one in Austria. This dynamic development is supported by a number of concrete and practice oriented measures such as e.g. subsidies for new buildings, a subsidy for solar collectors in companies or the establishment of the solar research laboratory in Wels. Most important contributions to this positive development were also the engagement of the inhabitants, the product independent advice sessions offered by the OÖ Energiesparverband and the activities of the regional companies.
Solar thermal collectors "made in Upper Austria"
Solar thermal collectors "made in Upper Austria" are exported all over Europe now – the strong regional market in Upper Austria and Austria is the best selling argument. A number of leading solar thermal producers is located in Upper Austria. More than 10% of all solar thermal collectors installed in Europe in 2008 were produced by Upper Austrian companies. In total, in 2008, the Upper Austria solar thermal industry produced more than 300,000 m² solar thermal collectors – with rapid growth rates! The export rate of the companies is well over 70% and the annual turn-over amounts to more than 100 million Euro.
Picture: 1,000,000 m2 of installed solar thermal collectors: the energy commissioner of Upper Austria Gerhard Dell in front of the 1 millionth square metre.
