In the U.S., when including electric transmission and generation losses, more heat energy is utilized than electric energy. Of that heat, solar energy can easily reach temperatures applicable for somewhere between 30 and 50 percent of usage.

Around the world, solar water heating systems already play a significant role in countries like France, Italy and China, with strong growth forecasted in light of the EU Directive 2009/28/EC, which requires each EU Member State to adopt a national renewable energy action plan.

These initiatives set out Member States’ national renewable energy targets for energy consumed though transport, electricity and heating and cooling, specifying measures to achieve these targets in the next decade.