Barcelona is the first European city to have Solar Thermal Ordinance (STO) making it compulsory to use solar energy to supply 60% of running hot water in all public and private new buildings, renovated buildings or buildings changing their use. Barcelona Energy Improvement Plan (PEMB) ran from 2000-2010 and covered regulations, financial aid for facilities, training and education programs. The revised plan for 2011-2020 is the Energy, Climate Change and Air Quality Plan for Barcelona and involves projects both related to technological improvements and awareness raising measures (NYC Global Partners, 2011).
Information/advice
- To ensure people are educated on the use of their solar panels, the Council has been running education campaigns – working with Neighbourhood Associations and building associations to ensure people know to measure their energy savings and check the panels are working.
- The Environment Department has an information centre open 6 days a week where people can get information on solar use and maintenance.
Public-private partnership/Low carbon pilots
- Barcelona Metropolitan Transport Department sponsored the development of solar powered bus stops in partnership with CAPMAR, S.L., a private design company and the Investigation and Education department of the Istituto Europea di Design Barcelona.
- The solar bus stop scheme initially started with 100 bus stops in Barcelona but has since expanded and replaced 2,000 bus stops with the new solar model.
Benefits
The city has saved 70,000 MWh per year of fossil fuel consumption, increased the surface of solar thermal in the city from 1.1 m2 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 59 m2 in 2010.