Spain installed PV systems totaling 55 MW in 2016

In 2016, Spain saw the addition of new PV systems with a combined capacity of 55 MW, according to estimates released by Spanish solar association UNEF. Although last year’s result is slightly up from the 49 MW registered in 2015, UNEF finds that the current regulation for self-consumption, as well as the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the country’s energy auctions, is preventing solar energy from growing in line with other European countries.

The association also stressed that the capacity installed last year in Spain represents only 0.07% of the global solar power installed worldwide last year, estimated at 75 GW, according to data provided by the PV Market Alliance (PVMA).

UNEF has also blamed the solar tax for this limited growth. The current legislation for self-consumption, in fact, imposes charges on both existing and new installations, both on a capacity and generation level.

The Spanish government will hold an energy auction for renewable energy project in the first half of this year. Through the auction the government aims to allocate approximately 3 GW of renewable energy generation capacity.