First battle won!

[The Dreamer]

Yes... Very small, but it is the first one and if spread it could be used as global example.

From April next year all the new builings in Vigo, Northwest of Spain -my birthplace- is compulsory by law to build them with solar panels in the roof. This include industrial and commercial buildings.

The old buildings have 10 years to comply with the law or else.

I believe that it must the solo whole town in the world where solar panels are going to be compulsory.

Could be this the beginning? Knowing the Catalans I wouldn't surprise if they follow suit...

Great news Hope you're watching John Prescott!

Would it work as well in Britain? We don't get anywhere near as much sun as Spain so I don't know whether it would be cost effective.

[The Dreamer]

That's the funny thing...

In Galicia, where Vigo is located, we don't have too much sun either. The average rain is about 300 days/year... We are Celts in every sense, including the weather. But they it goes...

I believe that it could be better to take the energy from the tides and/or the sea (fussion).

In any case the point is that the Vigo's Council Mayoresse has set a precedent what is important.

[MarkuisMellvile]

Originally Posted by paulie

Would it work as well in Britain? We don't get anywhere near as much sun as Spain so I don't know whether it would be cost effective.

Investment paid back in under ten years followed by no fuel costs to heat hlaf to two-thirds of your domestic hot water for 20 years can't fail to be cost effective.

As Dreamy says, Vigo isn't some sun-drenched paradise that we Brits can only dream of!

Our climate is even better for PV than it is for solar thermal, as electricity from solar panels only requires light, not heat.

Well done to Vigo for making this move, and lets hope the forthcoming building regs for England and Wales do something similarly positive for new homes.

What are the consequences for existing buildings in Vigo that don't add panels to their roof within 10 years Dreamy?

MM

[The Dreamer]

Hi Markuis

They risk a hefty penalties and/or property repossession by the Council and/or even prison.

IN any case if they do not comply with the extension period after the penalty, the Council can fit the system by force and pass the bill which if not paid on time goes back to the starting point: Hefty penalties and/or...

She's not joking nor messing around. She is the best Council leader that Vigo had in decades.

[* star *]

This is wonderful news. I hope we can get something like this over here one day!

[railgal]

This is great news.
But I find that the old world is sometimes more modern then the new world.
Here in the US, your running full tilt into the brick wall of the oil and coal industries.
You would think that they would understand, that alternative and renewable energies can not possibly destroy their industry.