Between the time when the Solar Thermal Ordinance went into force and December 2006, 597 projects of buildings affected by the rules were processed, with a total of 31,050 new square metres of solar heat-capture surface area in the city as a result of the ordinance, producing estimated energy savings of 32,076 MWh/year.

Considering the fact that Barcelona previously had 1,650 square metres of solar thermal panels, the city has registered an increase of some 1,780% thanks to the ordinance.

In comparative terms, the energy production in the form of hot water of the 32,076 MWh/year saved by the application of the Ordinance is equivalent to the consumption of 3,273 football teams or that of a town with a population of some 58,000 inhabitants during one year.

With respect to its environmental benefits, the volume of processed projects is equivalent to a saving of 5,640 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. 8,45 square kilometres of Mediterranean forest (an extension similar to 28 times that of Barcelona’s La Ciutadella park) would require one year to convert this amount of carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Since september 2006, the new text of the Ordinance is into effect. This new text has a lower threshold of application, in order to make it applicable to almost all the new and rehabilitated buildings in the city. With the aim to obtain the maximum consensus for its development, the Barcelona Solar Energy Bureau has been organised. All the stakeholders involved in the application of the rules and the implementation of solar energy in general in the city are represented in it.

The Barcelona Energy Agency has published a Guide to Solar Thermal Facilities. Using an easily understood language and graphic resources, this publication provides full information on the characteristics of solar thermal technology and the positive effects that it provides for users.