At a time when electricity prices are skyrocketing, solar energy is recognized as the alternative with the highest potential to reduce costs while simultaneously tackling the impacts of climate change. In this context, the Valencia Institute for Commercial Competitiveness (Ivace), affiliated to the Sustainable Economy Department, The photovoltaic energy potential that can feed 6.5 million houses on the roofs of the province of Alicante is 2.2. The aim of the report is to identify the municipalities with the greatest capacity and at the same time select those most suitable for promoting self-consumption in their own individual way or through the creation of local energy communities.
According to the results of the study, in which the Technological Energy Institute (ITE) also participated, the Community has a useful area for placing solar panels on the roofs of buildings. 110 square kilometers, both in relation to industrial roofs and residential, real estate in the service sector or public buildings. Capable of accommodating photovoltaic installations, this extension will allow an electric power to be reached. 14 gigawatts and 220,881 gigawatt hours of production per yearthat is equivalent to the consumption of 6.5 million families.
The province of Valencia is the province with a photovoltaic generation potential of more than 10,700 gigawatt hours per year, concentrating 60% of the total generation capacity in the industrial sector. The photovoltaic potential of the province of Castellón is about 4,000 gigawatts, of which 64% corresponds to industrial areas. In the case of the province of Alicante, up to 8,000 gigawatt hours can be produced per year, 58% of productive capacity is for residential buildings. The surface area of Alicante’s existing roofs is about 36 square kilometers.
It should also be noted that, at both the provincial and regional level, single-family homes have the largest useful expansion available in the residential section, with Alicante at the forefront of this statistic.
They stated that they received a report from the Ministry of Economy in order to carry out this study, and a methodology divided into three stages was followed. First, the total usable and effective area to be occupied by the photovoltaic modules of each of the Valencia Community municipalities was calculated. To do this, based on cartographic information and the use of digital tools, the total available area was determined and the corresponding area understood. roofs and flat roofs of built buildings. Unsuitable areas or areas with low photovoltaic potential are then identified to exclude them from the analysis.
In the second stage, the total annual photovoltaic production per capita and municipality area was determined, analyzed and classified according to the building type and usage. From there, and already in the third phase, the extent to which solar energy potential is used for self-consumption or building local energy communities has been evaluated and based on these indicators, previous qualitative results have been provided for municipalities. they were identified with a greater potential.
The said report, Generalitat, streamline renewable energy projects as much as possible stagnated as a result of bureaucratic complications. The aim is to move towards energy self-sufficiency and reduce costs in the Community of Valencia.
Alicante is the best located region
L’Alacantí is the region of the province with the greatest potential for rooftop solar generation. According to research supported by Ivace, the city of Alicante alone could produce 8,092 gigawatt hours per year, to be added by 1,480 from the rest of this region. Vega Baja ranks second with a potential of 1,804 megawatts; 1,112 to Marina Alta; and Medio Vinalopó with the 798. Alcoia ranks sixth with 700 megawatts, followed by Marina Baixa with 499; with Alto Vinalopó, 381; and El Comtat with 282. The best located districts in the province of Valencia are Ribera Alta, l’Horta Oest and Camp del Túria and Castellón, Plana Baixa and Plana Alta.