technical building code

• Spain: Solar Obligation since 2006 -

  In March 2006 the Spanish Government passed the new Technical Buildings Code (CTE). It has been the most significant reform of the country’s building sector in decades. The law covers safety, health and noise protection issues in buildings, and it deals with sustainability and energy efficiency aspects. The solar sector of the CTE includes an obligation regarding the use of solar thermal energy in all new buildings and buildings undergoing major renovation and/or changes of use. Solar energy is supposed to cover 30 to 70 % of the domestic hot water demand.

• Effects of the Spanish Solar Thermal Obligation-

  David Pérez from the international consultancy firm eclareon, Madrid, took a closer look at the impact of the Spanish solar thermal obligation on demand, products and the value chain, and presented his conclusions at the European Solar Thermal Energy Conference (estec2009) in May.