Solar thermal sales surge
Sales of solar thermal systems grew by over 47 per cent in the first quarter of 2010, according to the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC). This also translates into a 45 per cent increase in the market year-on-year.
The market survey by the trade organisation also showed that gas boiler sales rocketed by almost 34 per cent during March thanks to a combination of the very cold winter and the Boiler Scrappage scheme. And, while these events have created a slightly false impression of the market, the HHIC believes the overall trend is still positive and prospects for 2010 are good.
Solar thermal seems to be coming through the recession more or less unaffected with sales of vacuum tube collectors up by over 72 per cent in the past 12 months and flat plate systems up by nearly 40 per cent.
The house building market also seems to be on the march again with registrations for new homes up by 73 per cent in February compared with the same month in 2009. Private sector applications rose by 110 per cent to 16,669 with public sector figures up by just 13 per cent.