In 2024, 1,431 megawatts of photovoltaics were installed for self-consumption in Spain. This corresponds to a decrease of 26.3 per cent compared to the previous year with 1,943 megawatts. In total, more than 8,585 megawatts were installed in Spain. (6,304 MW industry and 2,281 households). At the current installation rate, the 19 gigawatts set as a target by 2030 in the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan will not be achieved. ‘Without concrete measures, as we have requested from the regulatory authority, it is clear that the targets will not be met,’ explains Jon Macías, President of the APPA association.
Solar self-consumption covers 3.7 % of consumption
APPA Renovables
The report presented is of particular importance as self-consumption has now exceeded the installed capacity of nuclear power plants in Spain. ‘There will be times when solar self-consumption generates more electricity than nuclear energy, and it is surprising that we do not yet have a complete and official register of installations,’ says González Moya, Managing Director of the APPA association.
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With an annual electricity generation of 9,243 gigawatt hours in 2024, self-consumption surpasses fossil energy producers such as coal-fired power generation. In total, self-consumption systems cover 3.7% of electricity demand. According to the APPA, this would be more than 4.5 % if there were no obstacles to the utilisation of surpluses from industrial plants, which according to the association are due to a lack of grid capacity. Electricity generation from renewable energies could even have reached 58.4% in 2024.
Large differences by region
For the first time, the report includes an estimate of the current installed capacity in the various regions of Spain. Three autonomous communities, Catalonia, Andalusia and the Comunidad Valenciana, have almost half of the installed capacity in the whole of Spain.
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The association called for specific measures to better utilise the potential of self-consumption: ‘We need a tax framework that promotes self-consumption, with tax relief of at least 25% on corporation tax or income tax,’ demanded Moya. Administrative simplification, easier access to the grids and effective compliance with the 10% reserve of self-consumption capacity are also necessary.
Households and companies save with solar
The savings per kW installed have been estimated at €157 per year for domestic installations and €101 per year for industrial installations, a figure calculated using the average market price, levies, tolls, marketing margins, electricity tax and the type and use of the installation. (nhp)
