Abstract
In 2012 there were 383 million m2 of solar power plants (GU) in the world, with total power output of 268 MWt (GU) heat power output of 225 TVT · h/year. The majority of GU (64,9%) operate in China. Europe is on the second place (16,7%). The highest value of GU power per 1000 people is in Cyprus - 774 m2 (542 kW). In the world most of GU are constructed with the vacuum solar collectors (SC) - 208,76 million m2 (62,3%). Flat SK are dominating in Europe (87%). According to their functionality the most GU are dedicated to supply of water (GVS) - 85%. According to heat transfer method the most popular are thermosiphon GU (76%). The total area of GU, used for the centralized heating makes 3,35 million m2 in the world. Each country has the structure of purpose of GU.