Both solar photovoltaic and wind energy are fundamental to the energy transition. In the case of photovoltaic solar energy, its implementation is breaking records and is making history.
PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY IN EUROPE AND SPAIN
Photovoltaic solar energy is the energy that comes from the sun’s rays and can be used thanks to the use of solar panels. It is a renewable and unlimited resource.
Within the European Union, the use of renewable energies is booming and by 2050, the goal is that 55% of energy will be produced by renewables. What is necessary for this? Solar energy. Thanks to it, we have the opportunity to get rid of our dependence on fossil fuels, such as gas.
The European Union already produces more than 10% of the energy it consumes thanks to the sun. At present, the panels installed throughout the Union’s territory produce 165 GW, generating no less than 39 terawatt hours.
Although the 2050 target is a common project of 27 countries, the development of sustainable energy is not the same in all of them.
At the top of the ranking is Germany, where the sun is responsible for the production of 17 % of the country’s energy mix. In second place is the Netherlands, and in third place is Spain.
And in Spain, how has solar energy evolved? In the last three years, installed solar PV capacity in Spain has tripled from 4,767 MW at the beginning of 2019 to a total of 15,190 MW by the end of 2021. This increase is due to two key factors: the repeal of the tax and the aid and subsidies for self-consumption and solar energy storage.
Repeal of the sun tax: The sun tax was a charge levied on energy generated through the use of photovoltaic installations. This discouraged and hindered the development of photovoltaic solar energy in our country. This measure was eliminated on October 5, 2018 when the end of the sun tax was announced and solar self-consumption installations began to take off with the entry into force of surplus compensation on March 1, 2020.
Grants and subsidies: Another key element in the development of solar energy in Spain has been the many grants and subsidies we have received over the years. Currently, several aid programs are open under the funds of the “Next Generation EU” recovery plan, which began at the end of 2021 and amount to 660 million euros.
Spain, the country with the best solar radiation in Europe, has an irradiation of between 1600 KW/m2 and 1950 KW/m2 and an irradiation of between 1600 KW/m2 and 1950 KW/m2. Even so, it is far from Germany, which has 10 times more installed capacity.