Part 02: Building Technical Code - Solar Panel Requirements / Implementation of the EPBD

Year: 2006
Policy Status: In force

Upon its publication in the EU Official Journal on January 4th 2003, the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) entered into EU law. The Directive's principal objectives are:

• To promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the EU through cost effective measures;
• To promote the convergence of building standards towards those of Member States which already have ambitious levels.

To complement the incorporation of these standards into its national law, Spain further required all new or renovated bulidings to install solar power systems capable, at a minimum, of heating water.

A package of minimum construction standards, Spain's Building Technical Code (CTE - Código Técnico de la Edificación) promotes solar energy by recommending public subsidies, tax benefits and interest-free loans for construction companies to install solar panels. Though nationally-applicable, theses subsidies are likely to differ in amount from region to region.

The CTE supports Spain's goal to install 5 million square meters of thermal panels with 143MW capacity by 2010.