Brighter Future of Photovoltaic Energy: Bold Move Towards energy and Climate Progress

Photovoltaic energy will meet the goals of (Spain’s National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC): the photovoltaic industry increased its exports by 10% in 2023, exceeding 4 billion euros. The solar energy division contributed more than 18 billion euros to the Spanish GDP final year, representing 1.23% of the total. With 3.6% contributed in R&D, national photovoltaics triples the normal use on development of the Spanish industry. 

The sector created 160,396 new employees last year. A total of 7,489 MW were installed final year, mainly in ground-based installations, which have developed by 26.5% year-on-year. The weight of photovoltaic energy has developed by 40% in the energy mix, contributing an average of 13.6%.

The Spanish photovoltaic industry continues to consolidate its growth and its commitment to the innovation and wealth of our country, being a fundamental column for achieving the energy decarbonization objectives towards which all nations are directing their efforts.

Forging the transformation towards sustainability 

Under the title “ Forging the transformation towards sustainability ”, the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) has nowadays presented its Annual Report, arranged in collaboration with the University of Castilla La Mancha, and which offers an in-depth analysis of the situation of the photovoltaic industry in Spain and around the world.

Solar energy: a driver of employment and prosperity

According to the report, the Spanish photovoltaic industry contributed 18.015 billion euros to the GDP final year, representing 1.23% of the national total.

It also stands out as a driving force of success thanks to its contribution to tax incomes, which increased by 6%, coming to 2.143 billion euros. This adds up to, about 1.49 billion euros compared to national charges, 257.9 million to local charges, and a few 395.2 million to social security contributions, information that highlights the sector’s capacity to face regional challenges and contribute to the era of equity.

College of Castilla La Mancha

The solar energy industry in Spain during 2023 solidified its position as a generator of employment and improvement for the regions, adding up to 160,396 new jobs between direct (34,037), indirect (86,968), and induced (41,391) jobs, according to data from the College of Castilla La Mancha.

The extension of solar energy in Spain has also been reflected in speculation in R&D, which in 2023 exceeded 610 million euros, distributing a normal budget of 3.6%, three times the normal use on development in the Spanish industry.

Rafael Benjumea, president of the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF)  says

In the words of Rafael Benjumea, president of the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF): “This advance not as it demonstrated the imperativeness of our industry, but to its capacity to adjust and develop in a changing environment, in which the sector is working to overcome new challenges.”

Leadership position and soul of development in energy generation

The Report reflects the industry’s leadership position and spirit of development over the past year, in which photovoltaic energy was solidified as the technology with the most installed control in Spain (counting ground-mounted and self-consumption plants ), with 32,488 MW. It follows the line of the worldwide commitment to this technology, since, in 2023, photovoltaics was again the most installed energy source (renewable and non-renewable) in the world.

During 2023, a total of 7,489 MW were installed in Spain, 5.7% more than in 2022. With these installation data for 2023, Spain is positioned as the second European photovoltaic market, breaking the annual installation record. Also essential is the increase in the weight of Spanish photovoltaic energy in the energy mix, which rose by 40% in the final year, with a normal of 13.6%.

The sector that showed the greatest growth during the year was ground-based plants, with 26.5% more installed capacity, closing at 5,783 MW. With 2,032 MW of new ground-based plant capacity, Castilla La Mancha led photovoltaic improvement in the final year. In the case of self-consumption, 2023 finished with 1,706 MW installed, representing 32% less growth than a year ago.

Photovoltaic energy: challenges and opportunities

The Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) stresses that solar energy offers Spain the opportunity to have competitive electricity that favors the industrialization of our economy. The association warns that the positive developments in most domains contrast with the barriers observed in some Independent Communities, although most of the Independent Communities see solar energy as an opportunity for their region.

José Donoso, common director of Unión Española Fotovoltaica (UNEF) says

“While there is generally a positive arrangement between the central government and the communities to progress decarbonization. We are concerned about activities such as retroactive charges in Aragon. The unjustified ban in La Rioja, storage barriers in Asturias, or limitations on free undertaking in the Canary Islands,” says José Donoso, common director of Unión Española Fotovoltaica (UNEF).

To promote self-consumption, the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) considers the back of the administrations to be basic, controlling the figure of the self-consumption chief, amplifying the simplified method and rearranging recompense to all establishments with an access capacity of up to 450kW or promoting appealing assess decrease measures for those who contribute in self-consumption, such as applying 0% VAT to the components of the installation.

The Challenge of Social Acceptance

The sector, they point out, currently faces three major challenges. The projects are positive, in the right place, and do not pose any risk to the security or the improvement of the rural world. On the contrary, they present a great opportunity.

The Challenge of Charge

Donoso stated that the decarbonization of the power division in our nation has been a great success, but we need to move forward in replacing fossil power with electricity.

The Challenge of Storage

Storage would be the third major challenge for the sector: “Including a storage solution for a photovoltaic plant is something as principal as the panels themselves,” says Donoso. “The progression of capacity is basic to be able to extend these cheap hours of solar energy past the hours of radiation. Which will allow us to give a ensure to customers and decrease the consumption of combined cycles.” To this end, the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) is calling for a specific regulatory and compensation framework.

“We are on track to achieve the goals of the PNIEC, given that the division and society stay adjusted in their achievement. Looking for solutions to the challenges that emerge at this time,” concluded the Common Director of the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF).

Conclusion:

The Spanish photovoltaic industry is a key player in Spain’s move to feasible energy, contributing to GDP, work creation, and R&D investment. It adjusts to global decarbonization efforts and supports Spain’s financial scene. We must address challenges such as social acceptance, regulatory systems, and energy capacity solutions for continued progress. By embracing development and collaboration, the sector is well-equipped to meet the goals of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).

FAQ’s: