Photovoltaic solar energy

We are harnessing the power of the sun

We are champions of photovoltaic solar energy. At Iberdrola, we are committed to the fight against climate change, which has driven us to support renewable energy sources in order to make the energy transition a reality.

As part of the plans to grow in clean energy, solar photovoltaic technology will be supported by 18% of the investments earmarked for renewables in the Strategic Plan 2024-2026, which will increase installed solar capacity by around 2,100 MW, with a portfolio of 1,900 MW. Iberdrola had a total of 7,470 MW of photovoltaic power as per the nine months 2024.

What is photovoltaic energy?

Photovoltaic solar energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that uses solar radiation to produce electricity. It is based on the so-called photoelectric effect, by which certain materials are able to absorb photons (light particles) and release electrons, generating an electric current.

A semiconductor device called a photovoltaic cell is used for this purpose, which can be made of monocrystalline, polycrystalline or amorphous silicon, or other thin-film semiconductor materials. The cells made from monocrystalline silicon are obtained from a single crystal of pure silicon and achieve maximum efficiency, between 18% and 20% on average.

Those made from polycrystalline silicon are made in blocks from several crystals, so they are cheaper and have an average efficiency of between 16% and 17.5%. Finally, those made from amorphous silicon have a disordered crystalline network, which leads to a lower performance (average efficiency between 8% and 9%) but also a lower price.

Advantages of photovoltaic solar energy

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Inexhaustible and non-polluting

It does not consume fossil fuels and does not generate waste

Universal scope

Can be obtained anywhere in the world 365 days a year

Optimal for rural areas

A system suitable where power lines do not reach or are difficult to install

Storable

Allows the installation of batteries to store surplus electricity

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Modulable according to need

It can be produced in small generator installations and in large photovoltaic plants

Green jobs

Contributes to the creation of green jobs and local economic growth

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SEE INFOGRAPHIC: Advantages of photovolaic solar energy [PDF]

Photovoltaic energy, key in the fight against climate change

berdrola signs a 100-million-euro green loan with BEI, backed by SACE, for a new PV plant in Sicily
Iberdrola begins installation of modules at Camino Solar (California)
Avangrid completes installation of 105,000 modules for its first PV plant in California
Iberdrola Australia enters Queensland market with Broadsound Solar Farm and Battery
Iberdrola increases its renewable production in Portugal with two new photovoltaic plants
Iberdrola begins producing clean energy at its True North photovoltaic plant in Texas
Iberdrola begins installation of the Powell Creek solar plant in the United States
Iberdrola begins construction of its first photovoltaic plant in California
Iberdrola and FCC sign an agreement to promote photovoltaic panel recycling

How do photovoltaic plants work?

Photovoltaic solar energy is obtained by converting sunlight into electricity using a technology based on the photoelectric effect. It is a type of renewable, inexhaustible and non-polluting energy that can be produced in installations ranging from small generators for self-consumption to large photovoltaic plants. Find out how photovoltaic energy is obtained.

Thanks to the photoelectric effect, the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun is converted into electrical energy
The alternating electric energy, now suitable for consumption, is distributed along transmission lines
Photovoltaic panels are formed from cells that absorb light particles (photons) and release electrons or direct electric current
The continuous electrical energy produced by the panels is converted into alternating current by the inverters
Transformers raise the electricity to a medium voltage (up to 36 kV)

SEE INFOGRAPHIC: How do photovoltaic plants work? [PDF]

Our most emblematic photovoltaic solar energy projects

True North, Avangrid's largest solar photovoltaic project in Texas
Francisco Pizarro, the largest photovoltaic plant in Europe
Santiago, our largest photovoltaic plant in the world
Lund Hill, Washington's biggest solar project
The Cedillo photovoltaic project, a real engineering challenge
Núñez de Balboa, one of the biggest photovoltaic plant in Europe

And also

1 We develop a photovoltaic plant in Salamanca
2 We have a new plant in Villarino (Castilla y León)
3 Otero, the second largest photovoltaic plant in Europe
4 Ceclavín, our third photovoltaic project in Extremadura

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Renewable energy jobs

What is photovoltaic self-consumption?

Photovoltaic self-consumption occurs when individuals or companies consume energy produced in photovoltaic generation installations close to the point of consumption. In addition to the solar panels themselves, photovoltaic self-consumption installations are made up of other elements such as inverters, cables, connectors and, optionally, batteries. This type of consumption not only saves on electricity bills, but also contributes to curbing climate change by using renewable energies.

There are two types of photovoltaic self-consumption depending on the destination of the energy that the owner of the installation does not use: self-consumption without surplus, which does not involve the discharge of surplus energy into the grid; and self-consumption with surplus, which allows the injection of surplus energy into the transmission grid.

More about solar energy

What is solar energy?

Solar energy is a renewable and inexhaustible source that allows us to generate electricity from the radiation that reaches us from the sun. Committing to solar energy means committing to the fight against climate change and accelerating decarbonisation.

Discover solar energy

What is solar energy?

Discover solar energy

Articles from our guest authors

- ANTARES, accelerating the development of renewable energies
  
  Ester Cámara
  
  Estefanía Segovia
- Do you know about floating photovoltaic solar energy?
  
  César Yanes

photovoltaic energy

Iberdrola begins construction on its first photovoltaic plant in Aragon

Iberdrola is moving forward with the process of leading the energy transition in Spain with the start of construction on its first photovoltaic plant in Aragon, with 50 MW of installed power, located in the municipality of Azaila, in Teruel...
photovoltaic energy Portugal

Iberdrola is entering the solar market in Portugal by building 149 megawatts

Iberdrola has been awarded 149 MW of photovoltaic solar power in Portugal, which the company will use to start developing this type of technology in the country. This capacity is divided between two regions (the Algarve and the Tajo Valley),...
Ignacio Galán photovoltaic energy investment

EIB, Spain’s ICO and Iberdrola sign green facility for Europe’s largest PV plant under construction, located in Spain

The European Investment Bank (EIB ) and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO ) will finance the development of the Núñez de Balboa photovoltaic (PV) solar plant, which Iberdrola is currently building in Extremadura (Spain). With 500...
Ignacio Galán photovoltaic energy

Iberdrola places Extremadura at the centre of its commitment to renewables in Europe, with 2,000 new megawatts by 2022

Iberdrola plans to install another 2,000 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind power in Extremadura by 2022, thus placing this region right in the middle of its European renewable strategy. The announcement was made today by the group’s Chairman,...