Brief: solar cooling on the rise

The European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (ESTIF) presented its statistics for the European market including all 25 member states. Results showed 12% growth in 2004, predicted to continue into 2005. At the time of the survey there were approximately 70 installations with a total cooling power of 6.3 MW supplied from 17 500 m² of solar collectors. Absorption systems accounted for over 40 installations, of which 16 use desiccant evaporative cooling.