After the “unsustainable decline” of solar energy, Spain immerses itself in a new strategy to create a photovoltaic superpower: innovation. The installed capacity of solar energy continues to grow worldwide. In fact, it is becoming more and more common to observe it in everyday life with its implementation on sunroofs and balconies.
However, when these systems reach the end of their life, a problem arises for the user: throwing them away. Although recycling plants are under construction, it is not yet possible to use all the materials involved in the process. To meet this challenge, Spain is investigating a new technical and economic formula to renew solar installations.
Spainas one of the major producers of renewable energyis in the spotlight of the sector. So much so that a group of scientists from the University of Tehran, Iranthey warned about that Spain will increase its production over the next 25 years until it becomes a reference for the whole world. Mediterranean Sea.
This Iranian study concluded that Spain will be a leader in the field of solar energy, is the conclusion (published in Science directly) which was created using a prediction model based on Artificial intelligence.
According to his estimate Spain will be the leader with a solar energy production of 42,574,680 Wh. In second place, far behind, would be Francewith a production of 28,150,200 Wh and later Turkiye, Greece and Egypt. With a perfect climate to harness solar energy, advanced infrastructure and political commitment, Spain tries to stand out in the energy field. An area in which recycling of materials is crucial.
Spain’s strategy to become a photovoltaic superpower involves innovation
In a context of renewable energy growth in Spaina group of scientists from the University of Castile-La Mancha has prepared a technical and economic analysis of the strategies of renew or renovation for an operational factory in the southeast of the country.
The experts organized the work in 3 renovation scenarios to improve energy production and economic profitability. The report studied the behavior of an operating park that started operations in September 2008.
It houses a nominal power of 100 kW, equal to the power of the inverter. The installed peak power of the solar panels is 11 kWp and the set produces 170 MWh annually. They evaluated 3 renovation strategies:
The first is considering replacing the solar panels with others that have a higher efficiency. On the other hand, the second involves maintaining the solar panels but replacing the inverters, while the third involves replacing both solar panels and inverters.
The 3 strategies take into account 280 modules, arranged in 20 panels per series and 14 chains or ‘strings’. Moreover, losses due to overload did not exceed 3%. The scientists evaluated energy generation and economic profitability in every possible scenario.
In scenario 1-1, where the panels are exchanged for more efficient panels, but retaining the same installed capacity. The research has shown that annual production increases to 197 MWh, a very slight increase if we compare this with the base.
Spain draws up its roadmap to become a photovoltaic superpower: it has to do with innovation
Scenario 1-2 sees a reality similar to the previous one, but with an increase in installed power. If we choose this context, the production result is 218 MWh. Scenario 2 only changes the investor.
In contrast to the rest, the annual production is more limited, 174 MWh. Finally, in scenario 3, where both the panels and the inverters are adjusted, the result is the most productive, with 223 MWh per year.
In this way, in scenario 3, the scientists found the best renewal strategy for the solar power plants, as it was possible to maximize production (with 1,715 kWh for each kWp installed) and economic profitability (with a recovery cycle of less than 10 years). .
What was known until now were recycling factories, spaces in which part of the solar panel, such as silver, is used to use it in new pieces. However, this analysis has shown a more efficient and sustainable alternative with the renew. By renewing installations you extend the life of the panels, improve their performance and reduce all waste materials and additional costs.
Now, the strategy of Spain be one photovoltaic superpower goes through it renew. Meanwhile, Spain is also discovering how energy can be extracted from traffic.