Barcelona’s Solar Thermal Ordinance, entered into force in its current form in 2006, makes it compulsory to use solar energy to supply 60% of running hot water in all new buildings, renovated buildings, or buildings changing their use. The Ordinance applies to both public and private buildings and forms an integral part of Barcelona’s overall strategy to encourage the installation and use of solar energy in the city (LG Action, 2010). The Solar Thermal Ordinances resulted in an increase in solar thermal square meters in the city from 1.1 m² per 1,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 59 m² per 1000 inhabitants in December 2010. Licences requested for the installation of solar panels also increased from 1,650 m² in 2000 to 87,600 m² in 2010. As a result, 20% of the total area of buildings in the city approved for solar thermal are now installed with solar systems. Due to the success of this innovative approach solar ordinances have been adopted by numerous local authorities in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Germany (Intelligent Energy Europe, 2013).