The deployment of solar photovoltaic energy in Spain is progressing well, but achieving the goals set by the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) for 2030 still requires considerable effort. With an installed capacity already exceeding 50 GW, the country now faces the challenge of integrating new projects in increasingly complex environments, where land availability is limited and public acceptance plays a crucial role.
In this context, the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) has just announced the results of the RenoInn program, which supports innovative renewable energy and energy storage projects. The initiative, funded by the European Union's NextGenerationEU program, has awarded €21,3 million to 22 projects, 19 of which are photovoltaic solar installations. Most of these projects utilize existing infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants, closed landfills, roads, or former mining sites, demonstrating that photovoltaics can coexist with other land uses without requiring agricultural land or valuable natural areas.
2030 Targets: 76 GW of photovoltaic power
The National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) sets a target of 76 GW of photovoltaic capacity by 2030 , of which 57 GW should be connected to the electricity grid and 19 GW for self-consumption. According to data from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) and the Association of Renewable Energy Companies (APPA), there are currently 37,5 GW connected to the grid and 9,2 GW for self-consumption. This means that, in the next five years, it would be necessary to install around 20 GW for grid connection and 10 GW for self-consumption, a growth rate that requires streamlining administrative procedures and finding new locations for the panels.
The land area needed to achieve those 57 GW would be approximately 114.000 hectares, representing only 0,2% of Spain's total land area. According to IDAE (Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving), this land could be located in human-modified spaces: building rooftops, canopies, degraded industrial land, easements, bodies of water , or even closed landfills. Utilizing these spaces not only reduces pressure on productive land but also facilitates public acceptance of the projects, as these areas already possess degraded ecological or landscape value.
Pioneering projects in infrastructure and degraded soils
The RenoInn program has highlighted the potential of photovoltaics for integration into all types of infrastructure. Among the selected projects are nine installations at wastewater treatment plants or desalination facilities, three at closed or operational landfills, five along roads, two in areas affected by mining, and one each at an airport, a canal, and a port . By autonomous community, Catalonia leads the list with eight projects, followed by Aragon with four, Castile and León and Andalusia with two and three respectively, and the remaining projects distributed among the Basque Country, Extremadura, Galicia, the Canary Islands, and Asturias.
One of the most striking examples is the Granada Eco-Power Plant project, where the Provincial Council will install 6 MW of photovoltaic power with 3 MWh of storage on the hillside of a former waste disposal site. The energy generated will be consumed at the treatment plant itself, and any surplus will be fed into the grid. Another relevant case is that of the mining company Minera de Santa Marta, in Belorado (Burgos), which has received €2,6 million to hybridize its cogeneration plant with an 8,9 MWp solar installation and 4,9 MWh of storage, located on a former mining spoil heap. Also noteworthy is Endesa's project on the Lleida Canal, which integrates 1,6 MW of photovoltaics into the existing hydraulic infrastructure, using the canal itself as a regulated storage system.
Panel recycling: a challenge and an economic opportunity
While Spain accelerates the deployment of new capacity, the photovoltaic industry must also prepare to manage the waste that panels will generate at the end of their useful life. According to an analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by 2050 more than 25 million tons of solar panels will have reached the end of their useful life worldwide, equivalent to more than 400 GW of installed capacity. The recovery of materials such as copper, aluminum, silver, silicon, and glass could generate a market of $6.000 billion annually by 2040 and exceed $20.000 billion by 2050.
Currently, solar panel recycling allows for the recovery of over 90% of their materials, and with anticipated technological advancements, a rate close to 100% could be achieved. However, the sheer volume of waste poses a significant logistical challenge: IRENA estimates that collecting and processing the panels will require at least 120.000 heavy-duty truck trips and more than 150 medium-sized treatment plants over the next decade. Applying the principles of the circular economy —reduce, reuse, and recycle—will be crucial to minimizing environmental impact and maximizing the use of recovered materials.
Photovoltaics as an engine for employment and development
The photovoltaic sector not only contributes to the decarbonization of the energy system, but has also become a major job creator. According to data cited by IRENA, solar photovoltaics accounted for 43% of total renewable energy employment in 2024, with more than 7,2 million jobs worldwide. In Spain, the growth of self-consumption installations and large solar farms is driving the creation of skilled jobs in engineering, installation, maintenance, and plant operation.
Furthermore, the reuse and recycling of solar panels can generate new job opportunities. A study conducted by a network of social enterprises in Europe estimates that appropriate job training can create between 60 and 140 jobs for every 1.000 tons of materials collected for electronic waste reuse. In developing economies, collection, repair, and recycling activities within circular economy models can also generate income for informal sector workers, provided that regulatory frameworks are established to protect their health and safety.
The combination of all these factors—ambitious goals, innovative projects in degraded areas, and a burgeoning recycling industry—paints a promising picture for Spanish photovoltaics. The sector must not only focus on installing more megawatts, but also on doing so intelligently, leveraging existing infrastructure and preparing to manage the entire life cycle of the panels. Looking ahead to 2030, Spain has the opportunity to consolidate its position as a European leader in the integration of renewables and the circular economy, demonstrating that the energy transition can be compatible with protecting the environment and creating wealth.
