Public perception of solar energy in Spain is clearly favorable: more than eight out of ten citizens consider photovoltaics a realistic and sustainable alternative for generating electricity in the country. This is according to a survey conducted by Sigma Dos for the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF), which gauges public opinion during the ongoing energy transition.
This survey reflects that photovoltaics is not only seen as a clean technology, but also as a strategic element for moving towards a more secure, competitive energy model that is less dependent on imported fossil fuels. The majority of respondents link the expansion of renewables with potentially more affordable electricity bills and greater autonomy for the national electricity system.
Broad social consensus around photovoltaic solar energy
According to the research results, 84,2% of those surveyed believe that solar photovoltaic energy is a viable and sustainable option for electricity generation in Spain. This figure demonstrates overwhelming support that goes beyond mere sympathy for renewables and translates into explicit support for the deployment of this technology.
The report underscores the high degree of social consensus regarding the key role of solar energy in the current energy transition scenario. Citizens perceive that, in a context of climate crisis and volatile energy prices, photovoltaics can play a central role in both reducing emissions and improving security of supply.
Concern about global warming is also evident: the survey places concern about climate change at an average of 6,9 out of 10 , indicating a considerable level of awareness. Within this context, renewable energy sources are overwhelmingly seen as essential tools for curbing the rise in the planet's temperature.
In fact, 70% of participants assign a very or quite important role to renewable energies in slowing climate change . This suggests that a large part of the population not only understands the problem but also identifies concrete ways to address it, including a strong push for solar photovoltaic power generation.
In presenting the results, UNEF's CEO, José Donoso, emphasized that Spanish society continues to overwhelmingly support photovoltaic energy , both through large solar plants and self-consumption installations in homes and businesses . In his view, citizens have internalized the contribution of this technology to energy independence and savings on electricity bills, although he added that the data "is good, but could be even better."
Priority for the development of photovoltaics in Spain
The survey highlights that, among the various renewable energy options, solar photovoltaic energy is perceived as the technology that should be most promoted for electricity generation in the country. Specifically, 66,3% of respondents believe that solar energy should be a priority in Spain.
Behind this preference lies a combination of technical and economic factors. The main benefit that people attribute to solar parks is their inexhaustible nature, as they directly harness the sun's radiation . Added to this is the perception that photovoltaics do not emit CO2 or greenhouse gases during operation, which reinforces their image as an environmentally friendly technology.
Furthermore, a significant portion of those surveyed associate solar energy with reduced dependence on other fuels and the possibility of accessing potentially cheaper electricity. In a context of concern about energy costs, this attribute is gaining increasing importance in public opinion.
The support is not limited to theory. 67% of those surveyed declared themselves in favor of the implementation of photovoltaic parks in Spain and in their own autonomous community , compared to 11% who expressed opposition. Social acceptance remains high even when the installation of these infrastructures is considered at a local level, as recent examples of photovoltaic park implementation demonstrate.
In fact, when asked about the installation of solar parks within the same municipality, support remains strong, reaching 60,7% . This figure is particularly relevant at a time when large-scale renewable energy projects are typically subject to public consultation processes and generate debate about their integration into the local area, as is the case in municipalities undergoing transformation thanks to solar projects.
Local participation and its effects on rural Spain
The survey also delves into how citizens perceive the socioeconomic impact of solar projects. Two out of three people, 66,5%, believe that investing in photovoltaic energy represents an opportunity for rural Spain . In other words, this technology is identified as a potential driver of activity in depopulated areas or those with less economic dynamism, similar to initiatives that have transformed spaces into green spaces.
Along the same lines, 64,1% of those surveyed believe that solar parks can generate growth and employment in rural areas . The arrival of investment, the construction of new facilities, and their subsequent operation are seen as levers that could help retain the population and diversify the economy in small municipalities.
Another relevant aspect is the compatibility between agricultural activity and solar power generation. According to the study's data, more than half of the participants (53,7%) see solar farms as compatible with agricultural production . This view reinforces the idea of ​​photovoltaics as a future option for rural areas as well, provided it is properly planned and traditional land uses are taken into account.
Citizen participation emerges as a key element. A significant portion of the population considers it essential that the local community be consulted and involved in photovoltaic projects , especially when dealing with installations that may alter the landscape or generate changes in the area's economic activity. This participatory approach is perceived as a necessary condition for consolidating social support and avoiding conflicts.
Overall, the results suggest that solar energy is seen as a useful tool not only from an environmental perspective, but also as a driver of regional development . For many rural municipalities, the arrival of renewable energy projects is interpreted as an opportunity to modernize infrastructure, generate new job opportunities, and explore models such as local energy communities.
Power outage, renewables and public perception
The study not only measures support for solar energy, but also analyzes public opinion on a recent event in the electrical system: the blackout of April 28th . On this point, the results show that the majority of respondents do not link the development of renewable energies to the cause of this power outage , a perception that contrasts with analyses of the fluctuation of solar energy at specific times.
When asked about the causes of the blackout, 43,3% of participants primarily cited the failure of the power plants responsible for controlling the grid voltage . This explanation was significantly higher than other possible hypotheses included in the questionnaire, indicating a relatively accurate understanding of the system's basic operation.
Other responses mentioned, but with less weight, allude to disconnections for security reasons, the deployment of renewable energy, or the possibility of a cyberattack . However, none of these options reaches the level of support attributed to the failure of the facilities responsible for stabilizing the electrical grid.
In presenting the data, José Donoso described it as "a pleasant surprise" that the idea that excess renewable energy was not the cause of the blackout had resonated with the public . He emphasized that this result contrasts with the perception sometimes circulating in public debate, where the safety and reliability of a system increasingly reliant on sources like solar and wind power tends to be questioned.
In general terms, the survey suggests that the public distinguishes between specific system operation problems and the role that photovoltaics plays in the electricity mix . This separation between specific incidents and the overall assessment of the technology could be relevant for consolidating public support for future renewable energy projects.
The role of energy storage in the future of photovoltaics
Another area analyzed in the survey focuses on energy storage, considered a key element for maximizing the benefits of solar power generation . The results reveal majority support for these solutions, seen as a necessary complement to improve the management of electricity produced from the sun.
According to the data collected, nearly seven out of ten respondents consider energy storage essential or very important for making better use of generated energy and ensuring the stability of the electricity system. This perception reflects a growing understanding that batteries and other storage technologies are essential for balancing the variable production of renewables with demand.
Furthermore, a significant portion of the population is receptive to these infrastructures being located near their homes. Many respondents agree that their own municipality should have storage facilities , which opens the door to distributed projects that strengthen the resilience of local grids and facilitate the widespread integration of photovoltaics.
The perception of the benefits of energy storage extends beyond mere technical stability. More than 60% of those surveyed believe that these solutions significantly contribute to improving security of supply and reducing energy dependence on foreign sources. In a context of geopolitical uncertainty and price volatility, this argument gains traction in the public debate.
Taken together, the responses demonstrate that society not only supports the expansion of solar energy, but also the complementary infrastructure necessary for this technology to be deployed on a large scale without compromising the reliability of the electrical grid. The combination of photovoltaics and energy storage is thus emerging as a key element in the country's energy roadmap.
The survey paints a picture of a citizenry that highly values ​​solar photovoltaic energy, associating it with the fight against climate change, rural development, and energy independence , and which, at the same time, is beginning to familiarize itself with concepts such as energy storage and grid security. Although there is still room to broaden and consolidate this support, especially in certain regions and among specific groups, the data suggests that photovoltaics has already established itself in the public consciousness as one of the key future bets for the Spanish electricity system.
