By Kari Williamson
The study, Evaluation of the potential of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic generated by compliance Technical Building Code 2011-2020, measures the impact of two of the main requirements contained in Spain's Technical Building Code on the solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) markets.
The first requirement is to incorporate the minimum solar contribution (30- 70%) in new buildings and building rehabilitation for the production of domestic hot water and/or temperature control for swimming pools. The second requirement is on the minimum electrical solar PV contribution requirement,
The report estimates that the solar thermal industry could add 3.4m m2 in the period 2011-2020, mainly in single-family and multifamily homes.
The most population provinces – Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia – will also be the largest biggest solar thermal markets.
Solar PV – 53 MWp
The Code is also expected to lead to the installation of 53 MWp - mainly in hotels, office buildings and hospitals.
Not enough to sustain industry
Although the Code will drive some demand, the volumes will not be sufficient to sustain a national solar industry, according to David Pérez, Partner at ECLAREON.
Exemptions and breaches of the Technical Building Code reduce the solar thermal market potential by 25%. Furthermore, the solar thermal generation potential is threatened by lack of proper maintenance of facilities and the gap between production and consumption.
The report estimates that only 70% of solar thermal energy produced in Spain will be consumed in 2020.