Spaniards install over 1 GW of self-supply solar in 2021, org says

Spaniards installed 1,151 MW of solar PV self-consumption systems in 2021, which represented an 85% growth in capacity compared to 2020, according to Spanish association of renewable energy companies APPA.

The residential sector, which accounted for 253 MW of the total installed last year, was particularly motivated by high electricity prices on the market and saw solar self-consumption as a way to achieve savings on the power bill, APPA said.

According to APPA’s figures, there are currently some 2.5 GW of installed self-consumption capacity across Spain, and the future looks bright for both the residential and industrial sectors thanks to state aid granted by most of Spain’s regional governments.

Installations are expected to increase sharply in 2022 as more industrial facilities receive permits and aid they requested last year, the association said.

The Spanish government’s road map for self-consumption from December 2021 states the country’s target to reach 9 GW of installed systems in 2030, which could even grow to 14 GW in a more optimistic scenario. The government’s figures take into account installations by the commercial and industrial sector, and multi-family and single-family dwellings.

APPA says the capacity of 11 GW could be surpassed easily.

Nevertheless, the Spanish solar self-consumption sector still faces certain challenges, which could be removed with better tax regulation, simplified permitting, enforcing deadlines for different actors or expanding the current limit of 500 metres (1,640 ft) between generators and consumers in a situation of shared self-consumption, APPA added.

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