The experience of Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais (MG) in drafting laws on the use of solar heaters and its participation in the Sustainable Construction Policies (PoliCS) project demonstrates the role of local governments in promoting renewable energies and sustainable policies.
Source: The ICLEI Case Study series

As a result of the great number of buildings in the city using solar collector technology to heat up water, Belo Horizonte has become a national reference point. The city is considered to be the national solar energy capital. The Energy Working Group (WG), under the PoliCS project, and the Belo Horizonte City Government Municipal Committee on Climate Change and
Eco-efficiency drafted a bill on the installation of solar water heating systems in the city's private and public buildings. This bill is one of the key results of the collaboration between the Belo Horizonte Municipal Committee on Climate Change and Eco-efficiency and ICLEI Latin America and Caribbean Secretariat (LACS) that was realized through the Energy Working Group and its coordination with stakeholders. The development of a sustainable municipal model program is an excellent way to involve all stakeholders and replicating successful experiences in other localities.