Spain makes solar panels on new homes mandatory
Hoping to catch up to solar powerhouse Germany, sunny Spain has announced that as of next year, solar panels will become mandatory on new and renovated buildings. The government is shooting for a tenfold increase in the total square footage of solar panels by 2010. Domestic solar usage is low in Spain, though the country is a leading manufacturer of solar panels. With oil above $50 a barrel, the government claims that solar power could save each household more than $100 a year just on water heating costs. The initiative could also make a notable dent in the nation's greenhouse-gas emissions. Industry Minister Jose Montilla promised subsidies to ease the transition, but gave no details. Spain's socialist government is headed by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, upon whom a Grist editor who shall remain nameless has a considerable crush. This solar business is only going to fan the flames.
source: The Times, David Sharrock, 09 Nov 2004
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Comments
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samdeane Posted 6:55 pm
21 Oct 2008
I don't want to sound smug or righteous, but you should know that this post is like FOUR YEARS out of date!
The man who made this announcement, Jose Montilla, is no longer Spain's Industry Minister. He is now the head of Catalonia. Meanwhile Spain really are challenging Germany for the title of kingpins in European solar power for homes and the industry is consistently sending out good news messages. We should all feel optimistic, as major progress is being made in the field of solar power for homes.
Having a crush on someone makes people do strange things, but it helps to keep your feet on the ground! :-)
Despite the above, I'm very glad to have found this website. What a great resource!
Sam Deane, Webmaster,
http://www.gosolarpowerforhomes.com
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