solar energy He is spending his honeymoon in Spain. Over the past year, the Government’s incentives and commitment to energy transition have accelerated the implementation of solar energy across the country. However, in addition to the positive environmental impacts this entails, this industry is increasingly source of job creation It is attracting more and more attention as the number of jobs in the solar sector in Spain has doubled in just one year.
The results of the latest report published by the Spanish Photovoltaic Association (UNEF) show that: rapid and dizzying progress This is an experience that renewable energy had last year. A growth unlike any other renewable energy source, such as wind energy, whose progress is more moderate.
In short, Annual Report data show that photovoltaic energy is a leading technology in accelerating our country’s energy transition, decarbonization and reindustrialization.
Solar energy doubled its installed capacity in just one year. Specifically, it reached an installed capacity of 240 gigawatts (GW) of new photovoltaic capacity, an increase of 137% compared to 2021. Additionally, 4,701 MW of above-ground power plants were installed, exceeding 30% of the installed capacity. In this sense, self-consumption increased by 108% and reached 2,507 MW.
A sector that creates employment
However, installed power is not the only thing that this renewable energy is superior about. The photovoltaic sector has also become a market that creates employment. The number of workers doubled in just one year people who are dedicated to the installation, maintenance and research of this clean energy. Especially employment in the sector 197,383 national workers It is directly, indirectly and inducedly linked to the photovoltaic sector. Of these, 59,100 are direct, 97,600 are indirect and 40,683 are sourced, respectively.
“For the first time in our history, we are facing the third industrial revolution with competitive and sustainable energy, capable of creating a business fabric, preserving what we have and attracting investments, while tackling the climate emergency,” said its president, Rafael Benjumea. UNEF, during the presentation of this annual report titled ‘‘Promoting biodiversity and sustainable growth’.
Value made in spain Considering that technology is one of its strong points 65% of equipment can be produced in Spain. In fact, exports from the sector reached 4 billion 940 million euros, an increase of 81% compared to 2021.
The ‘Made in Spain’ factor is decisive: up to 65% of equipment can be produced in Spain
“If we had to analyze the factors that led us to reach these figures, they would be: increasing competitiveness in photovoltaic technology, the promotion of European Union Recovery Funds for self-consumption and the secret devotion of Spanish citizens. In the fight against the climate emergency,” Benjumea emphasized.
However, during the presentation of the UNEF Annual Report, the industry association wanted to focus on the challenges that the Spanish photovoltaic sector still needs to solve, especially if it wants to continue breaking records. “We need to overcome significant challenges so that these data can be sustained over time and the sector can find sufficient stability,” Benjumea insisted.
In this sense, the president of the Spanish Photovoltaic Association emphasized: Still many administrative ‘bottlenecks’Greater security should be ensured in the supply chain, which requires an adequate pricing system as well as effective network management, and the storage of energy and renewable hydrogen should be resolutely encouraged and at the same time disseminated and positive social perception increased. .
“These are also challenges that challenge us in society as a whole and that we must take on responsibly from the photovoltaic business structure, public institutions, the media. “We face a mission that has the capacity to transform our country,” he recalled.
Photovoltaics in the world
Despite the obstacles created by various international crises, the installed capacity of photovoltaic solar energy reached 1,185 gigawatts. The numbers show this, as in other years. China remains the leading global playerInstalled power per year exceeded 106 gigawatts. This year, after the rapidly growing Asian power, the European Union ranked second, doubling its installed power in 2021 and reaching a new record of 41 gigawatts.
The European Union has overtaken the United States as the world’s second player in photovoltaics development
The European Union has overtaken the United States as the world’s second largest player In photovoltaic development, 47% more installations were carried out compared to 2021, resulting in over 208 GW of accumulated power. Spain is the first market in Europe with an installed capacity of 7.2 GW in 2022. This year Spain overtook Germany, which has been the leader in most of the European market for the last 20 years (only six times). has not been the main EU market; (replaced once by Italy, twice by Spain and three times by the United Kingdom).
This way, Worldwide photovoltaic energy production currently represents 31% of production capacityIt is the second source after hydraulic energy.
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