The surge in electricity self-consumption shows no sign of slowing down. Even with recent fluctuations in energy prices, aided by measures like a natural gas cap, solar-powered contracts continued to close the year with remarkable numbers in the region.
As per the latest report from the Ministry of Sustainable Economy, 2022 saw 13,577 new self-consumption installations, a total that doubles the volume launched in the prior three years. The momentum persisted into the last quarter, with more than 4,800 new connections and around 2,000 additional self-consumption points registered in the province during the first three months of the year.
Although there is a sense that the electricity market is stabilizing, actual rates have fallen more than twice what they were before the Ukraine conflict and are expected to stay lower for some time. Companies seek cost certainty, and self-consumption provides that stability, notes Marcos J. Lacruz, president of the Valencian Renewable Energies Association, AVAESEN, outlining the drivers of this trend.
Yet Lacruz emphasizes that this development is more than a one-off event—it’s a shift in mindset among citizens and businesses. Regardless of kilowatt price fluctuations, the commitment to solar options is set to grow in the coming years. He adds that a roof is now viewed as a valuable asset and reflects on the historic drop in photovoltaic costs, predicting that few will resist adopting solar energy this year.
Industry forecasts point to another rise in solar installations in 2023, with expectations exceeding 50 percent growth.
Balance
With the latest installations, the province hosts 20,262 self-consumption electrical setups and 175 megawatts of installed capacity. This amount roughly represents the electricity needs of about 110,000 households, using standard industry benchmarks.
Municipal data show the largest cluster in Alicante city, which leads the state and the Valencian Community with 1,445 installations. Elche follows closely with 1,416 points, while Orihuela records 1,040. Other notable municipalities include Xàbia with 951 facilities and Alcoy with 858. The power measured in Elche reaches about 13.8 megawatts, concentrated largely in industrial warehouses.
Diputación and the Chamber of Alicante promote a green energy network that can cut costs for residents and local councils by up to 30 percent.
Most solar users prioritize self-consumption for private homes. Of more than 20,000 registered facilities, 18,039 serve residential needs, while industrial use accounts for 764 installations of larger scale.
Additionally, 227 facilities serve meeting places, with 86 of them installed on rooftops of offices or other non-public buildings. Garages, public buildings, and warehouses also generate a portion of the electricity they consume, and some facilities pump water for irrigation purposes 39 times.
More collective self-consumption
While individual systems remain prevalent, data show rapid growth in batch or collective setups that enable a group of consumers to share the benefits. A roof is not a prerequisite for every system; local energy communities are emerging, with some town halls hosting solar roofs or distributors marketing such models. Last year, 38 collective facilities connected, bringing the total in operation to 60.
The Valencia Community currently hosts 46,110 active self-consumption plants generating 605 megawatts, including cogeneration from certain industries, notably in Castellón’s ceramics sector.
Until January 25, the push to unlock more plants continues. Regulators and industry associations are racing to deregulate photovoltaic plants after operational bottlenecks in recent years. The district administration will handle facilities up to 50 megawatts, while larger installations fall under central government authority. In Alicante, more than 120 applications await processing.
Spain’s green energy push continues to unfold, with municipalities and energy providers working toward smoother connections and clearer rules to maximize local solar potential.