The IT remember that the renewable energy They are a key element of the development and increase of socio-economic well-being. The solar energy presupposes one double chance for Spain, because it has the ability to stimulate the socio-economic growth of our country and at the same time act as a barrier against the climate crisis. The IT shows that the photovoltaic energy is the source of clean energy most flexible, economical and sustainable that exists today.
The Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF)majority sector association of the solar energy in Spainwhich already has 820 companies and claims the double chance what does it mean for Spain increase the electrification of our economy through renewable sources in general, and solar energyin particular.
“Another year, due to the increased electrification of our economy, we offer a solution for a double challenge: fight structural socio-economic problems that affect our country, such as depopulation, and put a stop to it climate emergency”, has explained Jose Donosogeneral manager of An F.
10 facts that demonstrate the solar sector’s ability to transform Spain:
- In 2023, the average electricity price in Spain was €87.43/MWh, the lowest among the major economies of the European Union (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), which amounted to more than €101.82/MWh.
- So far in 2024 the solar energy has covered 14% of national energy demand.
- Spain has annually an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine. Germany, about 900 hours. Our country has one competitive advantage in energy never seen before since our projects They produce twice as much as our neighbors.
- Spain has land available, fully compatible with other economic activities, to take advantage of all our solar potential: to meet the solar energy goals that marks the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan is necessary less than 0.2% of the national agricultural area.
- The projects of solar energy They are compatible with agriculture and animal husbandry. Farmers and ranchers who make dual use of the land On average, they increase their income by 30%.
- The development of projects solar energy represents an opportunity to revitalize the areas that make up the rural Spain. A town hall housing a photovoltaic installation receives an annual income of approx 10,000 euros per installed MW, during the 30-year lifespan of the installation.
- The solar energydue to its nature as a substitute for fossil fuels, has avoided greenhouse gas emissions by 2023. In Spain alone 812,840 tons of CO₂.
- The solar energy represents an opportunity to combat drought: a project 10 MW of photovoltaic energy uses the same amount of water as 10 people per year. Furthermore, they represent a economical and sustainable solution to supply energy to desalination plants in this context of drought.
- The solar energy active, direct, indirect and induced in 2022, 383 people in Spain. In addition, that same year the total contribution of solar photovoltaics in Spain (direct, indirect and induced) to the GDP amounted to 15,656 million euros.
- In 2022, Spain exported 4,960 million euros in products and components related to photovoltaic energy, surpassing sectors such as wine and oil.
Solar energy, source of development
The UN currently reminds that 675 million people live without access to electricity; Four out of five of these are in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the international organization wanted to emphasize that renewable generation sources are an important tool to reverse this situation, by highlighting the capacity that the “photovoltaic energy will reverse these relationships thanks to the flexibility and economics of its implementation”.
“The connection between photovoltaic energysocio-economic development and environmental sustainability are critical to addressing the issues facing vulnerable communities around the world. By An F We are very aware that the opportunity represented by solar energy in Spain can generate a demonstration effect for developing countries. We have a double opportunity, but also a great responsibility. The world is watching us”he remembered Donoso.
For its part, the IT recalled that the greatest threat to biodiversity is the climate crisis and that to combat it, the renewable energy They are one of the best tools out there. “The projects of solar energy They offer an opportunity for the restoration and conservation of biodiversity in our country. If they are managed properly, they can become real nature reserves. Solar energy acts as a replacement source for fossil fuels and the land on which the projects are located is free of human activity for at least 30 years.”, recalls José Donoso.