The new 20% target for renewable energy by 2020, agreed by European ministers in spring of 2007 and including heat use for the first time, will create a stronger EU-wide driver for more solar thermal systems, which can be used both to heat and cool buildings, though the latter technology is at a less advanced stage. "For the first time, there is in some countries more demand for cooling in summer than heating systems in winter," remarks an ESTIF representative. If given further research and development support, the organisation states that a cooling technology – replacing existing air conditioning systems – could be ready within a decade.

"Now that politicians are beginning to accept it, we will have to be quicker and make them continue to change their mind so that we have time to react after that," says Lapczyna. "The problem with most of this work is that it is long term in nature, whereas governments often change every five years. That is one of our biggest challenges."