The prefeitura of João Pessoa have been looking at solar energy options for some time. There were debates recently (May 2008) which involved its use in public buildings and to introduce legislation that would mean that all buildings (non-residential) would have to include some form of solar energy system. The buildings they had in mind were schools, hospitals, clinics, sh ps and hairdressers, hotels, motels, all types of sports clubs and gyms, industrial premises.
Concerning residential buildings, anything with over three toilets would have to have a solar energy installation. It would also be obligatory to have a solar energy system for every property with a swimming pool.