Solar heat: revolution for industry and key to climate neutrality!

Solar heat: revolution for industry and key to climate neutrality!

A current study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) shows that the use of solar heat in German industry has immense potential. In view of the obligations of the Climate Protection Act, which requires the industrial sector to be climate neutral by 2045, solar thermal energy is becoming increasingly important. The industrial sector accounts for around 30% of German final energy consumption, with over two thirds of this being required for process heat. Fraunhofer ISE emphasizes that solar heat is particularly suitable for low and medium temperature processes (up to 560 degrees), while high temperature applications (from 1000 degrees) cannot be covered.

Efforts to date to achieve climate goals have focused on measures such as the use of green electricity, hydrogen and energy efficiency. However, the use of solar thermal energy could be a decisive step towards a more sustainable industry. Despite the limited solar radiation in Germany, solar heat offers numerous economic advantages. The investment costs for solar thermal energy are often more profitable than conventional fossil systems. Hybrid systems that combine solar and fossil heat have proven to be economically advantageous when the solar share is up to 50%.

Economic efficiency of solar thermal energy

The payback period for solar thermal systems is between three and eight years, making them an attractive investment. An example from Würzburg impressively illustrates these advantages: A parabolic trough system with an output of 34 megawatts and 20 full-load hours of storage pays for itself after 5.5 years. This system cost-effectively implemented an investment of 12.6 million euros and is expected to achieve savings of over 40 million euros over 20 years, which, adjusted for inflation, corresponds to today's value of around 25 million euros.

The study by Fraunhofer ISE comprehensively examines the yields and economic viability of solar process heat in comparison to conventional heat supply. It turns out that investments in solar thermal energy are consistently more economical than the use of fossil fuels in various scenarios that provide for a solar coverage rate of 0 to 50 percent. This refers to various industrial applications, especially in the chemical industry and for low temperature applications.

Funding and perspectives

One of the central prerequisites for the economic viability of these systems are support measures. The investment grant through the federal funding for energy and resource efficiency in the economy (EEW) plays a crucial role here. Through the combination of subsidized investments and long-term savings, solar heat could become a significant resource in the German energy mix.

Overall, the study highlights the enormous potential of solar thermal energy to cover industry's process heat needs and at the same time make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions. Solar heat could therefore become more important in the long term not only as an economical but also as a climate-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Experts agree that further developments in solar thermal energy are crucial to achieving the federal government's climate goals. Those interested can find more information in the in-depth analyzes of the fr.de and on the website of the Fraunhofer ISE.