Profitability in solar setups is rarely questioned today. Self-consumption of solar power reduces carbon dioxide emissions and lowers electricity bills. In detached homes, the path is usually straightforward, but overall conditions remain complex. In apartment blocks, getting neighbors to invest together can be challenging. This is not a minor hurdle, as estimates suggest a substantial portion of the population lives in such buildings.
A Google Earth image shows the buildings where solar panels could be placed.
A Local Energy Community offers an alternative in these cases, allowing partners to share the same photovoltaic installations. Some municipalities are promoting this model by using roofs of sports centers or other spaces, and several companies are offering new options as well.
One example is a service that provides access, which Iberdrola markets as solar communities. Self-consumption by subscription functions much like a streaming platform, and El Palmeral urbanization in Alicante is among the largest in the region, consisting of at least 512 homes and 40 stores.
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As explained by the neighborhood association president, Isidoro González, they had contemplated installing solar panels on the buildings and the sports club within the complex for over four years. They discussed co-ownership, yet the plan never fully materialized until Iberdrola presented a concrete option.
The company’s approach is simple. Iberdrola handles all permits, performs the required installations, and covers the initial investment. It rents the terraces it occupies for a modest fee. After that, each neighbor decides whether to join the project each month, with a subscription model. In this case, approximately 5.5 euros per panel per month was agreed to, and the benefit would be a roughly 30% reduction in the individual bill, according to the firm.
Participation requires the customer to be an Iberdrola subscriber and, as with many streaming services, there is no fixed minimum commitment.
Currently, in the El Palmeral area, 370 residents have already signed up, with 440 of the 533 planned solar panels allocated. The homeowners association president believes the whole plan will be covered soon. Even if the cap isn’t reached, the current legislation allows any user within a two-kilometer radius to connect to a self-consumption facility. This makes the option available to residents in nearby blocks as well, broadening the potential reach and impact of the project.
Sources indicate that this model aligns with broader moves to expand distributed generation and community ownership, highlighting the growing interest in shared solar energy across municipalities in Valencia and beyond. [Source attribution: Iberdrola enterprise communications]