The conference “Solar Power in Spain, development, funding and authorization” took place in Madrid last 1st March, organized by Soltec and Expansión newspaper. This event reflects the new photovoltaic “boom” that is happening in these last years in Spain: from now to the end of 2019 it is expected to build 4 GW additional, doubling current installed photovoltaic capacity.
During the conference, maturity of the technology was deeply discussed, as well as its improvement potential: bifacial solar panels, inverter topologies, air cooled panels, single axis solar trackers, cleaning robots, etc. Besides, it is important to highlight the new concept of “bankability” as the capacity to be acceptable to banks for financing, looking to an LCOE objective about 42-48€/MWh in 2/3 years.
The current trend is to go to larger solar plants in the range between 20 and 100 MW, in the line of cost reduction. Also, in the medium term, the trend is to incorporate energy storage, which will lead to the plant manageability.
The subsidized payment model, known as “feed-in tariff”, seems to be nearly finished. In its place, the new projects must start to be profitable by itself, currently by two ways: by energy auctions or by long term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). The investment risk is no more a technological issue but a financing one, in a still volatile and not enough consolidated market.
At the Administration and Regulations level, there are still many things to be improved, such as reducing legal terms, increasing transparency in the auctions, etc. The lack of enough infrastructures and power evacuation lines was an often complaint.
Lastly, How the future will look for the photovoltaic energy in Spain? We must look at it with optimism. In the short term, it seems we have two years of photovoltaic “fever” ahead, may be followed by a kind of halt. However, this will be very likely the prelude of a renewed growth in 5-10 years over new technology basis. This transition will lead to the final commercial takeoff of the technology and to a new energy paradigm, sustainable and renewable.
Learn more at section https://ideas2invoices.com/en/energy-transition/
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