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
Optimal for rural areas
A system suitable where power lines do not reach or are difficult to install
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
More informationPhotovoltaic energy, key in the fight against climate change
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)
Our most emblematic photovoltaic solar energy projects
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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 energyWhat 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 energyArticles from our guest authors
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- ANTARES, accelerating the development of renewable energies
Ester CámaraEstefanía Segovia
- ANTARES, accelerating the development of renewable energies
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The Montechoro I and II PV plants, located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, have been completed and now contribute to the country's renewable energy production capacity. With a total installed capacity of 37 megawatts (MW) and a...
- Facebook Iberdrola increases its renewable production in Portugal with two new photovoltaic plants
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Iberdrola, through its US subsidiary Avangrid , has begun producing clean energy at its True North photovoltaic plant, the first it has installed in the state of Texas. The company has already commissioned 20 MW of the 238 MWac (321 MWdc) that...
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Iberdrola, through its US subsidiary Avangrid, has begun the installation of its Powell Creek solar project in the state of Ohio. The new plant will have a capacity of 202 MWdc generating enough clean energy to power 30,000 homes annually....
Iberdrola, through its subsidiary in Spain, and Burger King® have signed a new long-term Power Purchase Agreement − known as PPAs −. Iberdrola will supply 1,500 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of clean energy from the Francisco Pizarro photovoltaic...
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Iberdrola and German pharmaceutical giant Bayer have extended their partnership, signing a green power purchase agreement (PPA ) in Italy for 11 years from January 2025, for a total of 33 GWh over the period. The agreement expands the...
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Iberdrola Deutschland and Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH have concluded a further power purchase agreement (PPA) for 15 years. From 2025, Iberdrola Deutschland will supply Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH with around 60 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green...
- Facebook Iberdrola Deutschland seals PPA with Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH: Iberdrola's second solar park in Germany will supply more than 900 GWh of green electricity
- Twitter Iberdrola Deutschland seals PPA with Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH: Iberdrola's second solar park in Germany will supply more than 900 GWh of green electricity
- Linkedin Iberdrola Deutschland seals PPA with Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH: Iberdrola's second solar park in Germany will supply more than 900 GWh of green electricity