A European Project for Solar Building Codes

“ProSto” helps local bodies introduce the solar thermal obligation in both new and older buildings

In Europe, more and more municipalities, regions and countries are implementing solar ordinances (Solar Thermal Obligations – STOs), which are legal provisions requiring building owners to install solar thermal systems in new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovations, and to verify that these systems meet the law’s requirements.

Many solar ordinances are part of national or regional legislation, but are enacted by local building codes, and now effect nearly 150 million residents. In Italy, for example, according to a report compiled by Legambiente and Cresme entitled Energy Innovation in Municipal Building Codes, more than 250 Italian municipalities have made solar thermal energy requirements a part of  their building codes.

The ProSTO Project

In order to accelerate the use of solar thermal energy, the European Union has launched the ProSTO Project, which aims to promote the efficient application of Solar Ordinances and of Solar Building Codes, to support the efforts of local bodies to conceive, develop and manage these legislative tools. The Region of Lazio and the cities of Lisbon, Stuttgart, Murcia and Giurgiu are participating in the project.

Tools for local bodies

ProSTO provides a series of practical tools for local administrations that intend to develop and apply these regulations. These tools guide the administration through each step, from the regulation’s drafting to the evaluation of its impact.