The global solar district heating market is projected to grow from USD 3.06 billion in 2025 to USD 5.5 billion by 2035, reflecting a CAGR of 6.1% over the forecast period. This expansion is being driven by aggressive clean energy policies, increasing urban energy demand, and the need to decarbonize thermal networks.
Europe has maintained a leadership position in the adoption of solar district heating (SDH) systems, with Denmark emerging as a model for other countries. According to SolarPACES, Denmark's SDH capacity exceeded 1.5 million square meters of solar collectors by 2024, supported by favorable regulations, financing mechanisms, and mandatory heat planning. Municipal utilities were mandated to prioritize renewable sources under the Danish Heat Supply Act, which accelerated deployment of large-scale solar thermal fields.
New business models are being explored to make SDH viable in diverse climate and urban density conditions. A 2024 project under the Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC) Platform highlighted decentralized and modular plant designs, heat-as-a-service contracts, and public-private co-investment frameworks as emerging trends. As noted in the RHC report, these models have enabled the integration of solar collectors with thermal storage and auxiliary heat pumps, improving flexibility and return on investment.
ARANER, a global district energy systems developer, emphasized in a 2024 industry analysis that hybrid systems combining solar thermal with seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) and combined heat and power (CHP) units are being deployed to stabilize supply in variable demand scenarios. The company stated that “district energy networks can reduce primary energy consumption by up to 50% when powered through integrated renewable systems,” with solar heat contributing significantly to base load coverage.
In 2025, additional growth is expected from urban retrofit projects in Germany, China, and Austria, where aging gas-based district heating grids are being replaced or supplemented with solar thermal inputs. Government incentives and emissions reduction mandates under net-zero targets are further encouraging municipalities and industrial parks to adopt solar-driven heating infrastructure.
As smart grid integration and cost-optimized storage systems continue to evolve, solar district heating is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the global decarbonization of urban heat supply.
The commercial segment accounted for 37% of the global market share in 2025 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% through 2035. Demand was primarily driven by the need for space and water heating solutions in office complexes, retail centers, hotels, and educational institutions.
In 2025, government policies promoting energy-efficient building operations encouraged commercial facilities to adopt advanced heating systems equipped with control automation and emissions-reducing technologies.
Installation of hybrid and condensing systems was prioritized in newly constructed commercial buildings across Europe, Japan, and North America, in alignment with updated energy codes and building efficiency targets. Public-private partnerships and retrofit subsidies also supported the replacement of older heating units in the commercial sector, reinforcing demand stability.
Medium-scale capacity systems represented 41% of the global market in 2025 and are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2035. These systems were deployed across mid-sized buildings, multi-family residential blocks, small industrial units, and institutional facilities requiring moderate heating loads.
In 2025, manufacturers focused on modular configurations that allowed scalability and ease of integration with existing infrastructure. Demand was observed in both urban and semi-urban areas where centralized utility services were limited. Product installations aligned with regional initiatives to reduce fossil fuel dependency and improve thermal efficiency in public infrastructure. Systems with digital monitoring, fault diagnostics, and zonal control features were preferred for their operational reliability and service flexibility across diverse application environments.
In district heating systems, solar thermal can collaborate instead of competing with other renewable technologies. One method that is proving to be effective is to integrate solar heat with biomass or biogas boilers where solar arrays generate heat when the sun shines, decreasing the use of biomass fuels and decreasing air pollution.
Biomass, in turn, becomes a backup during cloudy spells or peak winter demand. In another synergy-large-scale heat pumps and electric boilers-solar heat is utilized first when available, and a heat pump uses surplus wind or off-peak electricity when solar output is low. This integration allows thermal networks to act as a storage facility and balancing agent for the grid, thus helping stabilize renewable energy supply.
Solar thermal can also be combined with industrial waste heat, resulting in hybrid district heating networks that integrate multiple RE sources. (Now, some European towns are operating networks powered almost entirely by solar, biomass, geothermal and heat pumps, substantiating the possibility of all-renewable heating.)
Another major opportunity is to expand district heating infrastructure. Many cities design new networks or upgrade fossil-based systems among sustainability goals. These new-age networks are designed for enhanced renewable integration, with modular low-temperature designs. Many municipalities in Europe are preparing or building solar district heating projects, and interest is increasing in North America and Asia.
| Category | Investment Level |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | High |
| Germany (BEW fund, €3 billion through 2026) | High |
| France (Newheat and other private investors) | High |
| China (Large-scale installations, government push) | High |
| Middle East (Saudi Arabia’s large solar heating plant) | Medium |
| North America (Slow uptake, early pilot projects) | Low |
The USA is witnessing development of gigantic-scale renewable heat schemes with increasing urbanization and energy-efficient infrastructure requirements. Public policies and incentives have led to paradigm shifts in clean energy.
Solar collector efficiency and affordability have also become better with enhanced efficiency and reduced costs. As demand for green heat continues to grow, most residential and commercial properties are switching to green energy solutions with the vision of ending the use of fossil fuels and reducing carbon footprints.
Growth Factors in The USA
| Growth Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Urbanization | Rapid urban growth necessitates efficient and sustainable heating solutions. |
| Government Initiatives | Policies supporting renewable energy adoption bolster market expansion. |
| Technological Advancements | Innovations in solar thermal technologies enhance system efficiency. |
UK focuses its efforts on developing sustainable heat networks to meet its ambitious climate neutrality goals. The government helps finance the rollout of renewable heat mass-scale networks through grants and funding programs.
Solar solutions are being integrated into more residential and commercial schemes on the premise of reducing the application of gas boilers. Public education about the virtues of renewable energy is also making the market pull.
Growth Factors in The UK
| Growth Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Government Support | Initiatives offering grants and affordable loans for solar installations encourage adoption. |
| Environmental Goals | Commitment to reducing carbon emissions drives the shift towards renewable heating solutions. |
| Public Awareness | Increased awareness of sustainable energy benefits fuels market demand. |
Germany paces the world in renewable heat with strong environmental policy and advanced clean energy infrastructure to back it. Cutting-edge carbon emissions policy and aggressive climate policy have seen robust investment in solar-thermal technology. Business leadership in collector efficiency and energy storage devices drives growth in residential, commercial, and municipal markets.
Growth factors in Germany
| Growth Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Environmental Policies | Strict regulations on carbon emissions promote the adoption of solar-based heating systems. |
| Technological Leadership | Advances in solar thermal technologies position Germany as a market leader. |
| Public Awareness | Growing recognition of environmental benefits and increase demand for sustainable heating solutions. |
Japan is increasingly turning to renewable sources of heat in a wide-ranging policy to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Japan's dense, high-density urban development facilitates centralized heating schemes with energy efficiency in consumption and heat supply.
Research in advanced solar energy integration and new heat storage technology is driving overall improvement in efficiency. Growing focus on energy security and sustainability will convert into investment expansion in large-scale heating schemes over the next two years.
Growth Factors in Japan
| Growth Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Energy Security | Efforts to reduce dependence on fuels drive the adoption of renewable energy sources. |
| Urban Development | High-density urban areas benefit from centralized heating systems. |
| Technological Innovation | Continuous innovation in solar energy technologies enhance performance. |
Australia's vast solar resources are a suitable market for large thermal power systems. The government's attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have developed policy support and financing prospects for renewable heat projects.
Solar-heating networks are emerging as a viable alternative in industrial, commercial, and residential areas because of high energy requirements and long-term approach towards sustainability. More attention given to decarburization would tend to favor momentum in utilization of new thermal storage technologies within the next couple of years.
Growth Factors in Australia
| Growth Factors | Details |
|---|---|
| Abundant Solar Resources | Australia’s High solar irradiance levels make thermal-based heating highly efficient. |
| Government Policies | Supportive regulations and incentives encourage the adoption of renewable energy solutions. |
| Sustainability Goals | National commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions drive market growth. |
Global warming and burning fossil fuels are forcing societies worldwide towards cleaner forms of energy. This, in turn, has given rise to the solar district heating market. Major players in this market are Aalborg CSP, Fortum, Göteborg Energi, Kelag Energy, Keppel DHCS, Korea District Heating Corporation, Logstor, NRG Energy, Ramboll Group, RWE, Savosolar, Shinryo, Statkraft, STEAG, and Vattenfall.
These companies have shown to partake in developing and innovating in the area of solar district heating. The growth strategies adopted by these major players dictate them to focus on many aspects, such as technological innovation, strategic alliances, and investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
For example, Aalborg CSP designs integrated energy systems based on the use of concentrated solar power technology for providing efficient and sustainable heating. Fortum has partnered with Microsoft to capture surplus heat from data centers that is then directed into district heating networks to provide energy efficiency. Likewise, Göteborg Energi has teamed up with Kamstrup to implement intelligent demand-side management solutions that can optimize the utilization of energy in the city's district heating network.
ENGIE SA
ENGIE is a global leader in district energy solutions, investing in large-scale solar district heating projects across Europe, North America, and Asia. The company integrates solar thermal plants with CHP (Combined Heat and Power) and seasonal heat storage to enhance district heating efficiency. ENGIE is also involved in smart energy grid innovations, optimizing solar thermal energy utilization in urban areas.
Danfoss A/S
Danfoss is a leading supplier of district heating components and control systems, providing heat exchangers, substations, and smart heating management solutions. The company focuses on optimizing solar district heating networks, ensuring efficient distribution and minimal energy loss. Danfoss plays a key role in digitizing district heating systems, enabling real-time monitoring and automation.
Veolia Environment S.A.
Veolia is a major player in sustainable urban heating solutions, integrating solar thermal energy, industrial waste heat, and hybrid district heating grids. The company focuses on low-carbon district heating projects, implementing solar-powered and energy-recovery-based heating networks in cities across Europe and Asia.
Fortum Oyj
Fortum specializes in carbon-neutral district heating solutions, combining solar thermal, biomass, and geothermal energy. The company is actively involved in solar district heating developments in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, integrating large-scale heat storage for year-round efficiency. Fortum is expanding its renewable district heating projects, focusing on future-proof energy systems.
Vattenfall AB
Vattenfall is a leading provider of renewable district heating, developing solar-powered heating grids and low-emission urban heating networks. The company is investing in heat storage and smart heating technologies, ensuring optimized solar energy distribution for residential and commercial applications.
By configuration, Solar District heating market can be segmented in to Centralized, Decentralized & Hybrid.
By application, Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Greenhouse Heating & Government Institutions
The capacity is another segment Small Scale, Medium Scale & Large Scale.
By region, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, Middle East & Africa.
The solar district heating market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2035.
The solar district heating market is estimated to reach USD 3.06 billion in 2025, driven by rising investments in renewable heat networks and increasing demand for sustainable energy systems.
Germany leads due to its aggressive decarbonization policies, strong regulatory support, and early adoption of solar-based district heating infrastructure across cities.
Key growth drivers include government incentives, rising urbanization, advancements in thermal energy storage, and integration of AI for heat demand forecasting.
Top companies include ENGIE SA, Danfoss A/S, Veolia Environnement S.A., Fortum Oyj, and Vattenfall AB, among other key industry players.
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Solar District Heating Market
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