The Barcelona Energy Improvement Plan (PMEB) approved in 2002 by the city hall of Barcelona, consisted of an environmental and energy diagnostic of the situation and tendencies in the city of Barcelona as well as a Local Action Plan until 2010.

The main goals of the plan were to reduce atmospheric emissions and reduce non-renewable energy consumption; the strategies to achieve these goals were to increase the consumption of clean energy, increase the use of renewable energy sources and reduce energy consumption while maintaining the same levels of production, comfort and mobility for the citizens.

The PMEB, like the Action Plan, integrated a package of 54 projects that were laid out and defined at the energy, environmental and economic level. The PICORNELL swimming pool complex was identified as an ideal location to install a solar thermal system for sanitary hot water, for the high numbers of people who use the pools daily and for the special circumstances of being the site for the World Swimming Championships for 2003.

AIGUASOL carried out technical supervision and project execution for the construction. In this unique project, a solar field with a net surface of 334 m2 of collectors was installed on a pergola structure in the parking area of the pools.