Photovoltaic boom shines in Alicante and across the Valencian Community
The rise of solar energy in Alicante is unmistakable. With high electricity costs and generous public support, self‑consumption capacity has nearly quadrupled in just over a year and a half. Across 2022 and the early months of 2023, industrial activity surged beyond the levels seen in the previous three years. Today, the region counts 24,674 solar infrastructures, of which 22,144 are owned by private individuals, mainly homeowners, while 2,967 belong to companies. Public buildings, schools, and town halls have also embraced on-site generation. The cities of Alicante and Elche lead the Valencian Community in terms of facility numbers, with Orihuela following closely behind.
A recent self-consumption report from the Ministry of Sustainable Economy confirms the strong momentum in the industry, especially within the province. Almost half of the 55,519 facilities registered in the autonomous region are in Alicante, underscoring a rapid and sustained evolution.
Between 2019 and 2021, the province activated 6,678 facilities, a clear upward trend. The real leap occurred in early 2023 as 13,562 new installations were added in 2022, driven by the energy crisis and rising electricity prices. The total now stands at 24,674, providing an installed capacity of 217,248 kilowatts. This expansion reflects a broad appeal across households, businesses, and institutions seeking lower energy costs and greater energy independence.
Savings from roof to grid
Not all self‑consumption setups are alike. Homeowners installing rooftop solar panels share the stage with companies deploying solar on factory roofs. Energy communities formed by institutions such as training centers and local councils also play a crucial role.
Alicante and Elche remain regional frontrunners, with 1,754 and 1,749 facilities respectively. Orihuela follows with 1,273; the Valencian town of Paterna records 1,179; Xàbia 1,130; l’Eliana 1,035; San Vicente del Raspeig 1,017; Pobla de Vallbona 966; Torrent 949; and Dénia 952. These figures illustrate how local demand and community initiatives drive installation growth across the region.
A key driver of this expansion has been public and private support, alongside spikes in electricity prices. The Valencia Institute for Business Competitiveness (Ivace) contributed 48.7 million euros last year to promote self‑consumption, catalyzing more projects and reducing market frictions for installers and customers alike.
The industry remains optimistic. Luis Navarro, chief executive of Cubierta Solar, commented that the energy crisis spurred a sharp surge in demand during 2022 and into 2023. Investments in solar power pay off quickly through the savings they generate, especially for households and manufacturing sites seeking to strengthen margins.
Iberdrola records over 12,000 self‑consumption plants connected in Alicante
Marcos Lacruz, president of the Valencian Association of Energy Sector Companies (Avaesen), described the moment as a genuine revolution. He noted that solar setups enable substantial savings for homes, energy communities, and factories, with solar energy becoming a powerful tool for improving financial performance and resilience.
Large‑scale photovoltaic plants continue to face bureaucratic hurdles, leaving room for policy improvements that could speed up approvals and construction.
Skilled labor gaps and the three‑month wait
A significant bottleneck is the shortage of qualified installers. This shortage translates into waits of up to three months for new self‑consumption projects, a concern echoed by industry leaders who call for expanded training programs to meet growing demand.
Luis Navarro stressed that the surge in business reveals gaps in logistics and the availability of technicians and engineers. The sector has not been fully prepared for this rapid takeoff. Javier Ormaechea, chief operating officer at Linkener, added that at least 50 percent more installers will be needed than currently exist, underscoring a lack of sectoral training. In response, the government announced the creation of around 4,000 new vocational training places at the national level to address the issue.