El Peninsular blackout of April 28, 2025 has represented a real turning point for the self-consumption sector in SpainMillions of homes were left without power for hours, and many owners of photovoltaic installations discovered, to their surprise, that their panels were also useless if they did not have batteries and equipment prepared to operate in island mode.
Since then, the interest in solar panels combined with home storage And the use of systems capable of operating autonomously has skyrocketed. Self-consumption has gone from being seen as a way to lower electricity bills to being understood as an energy security tool against blackouts and fluctuations in the electricity market.
From boom to slowdown and the new impetus of the blackout
In the last five years, self-consumption companies have experienced a real demand roller coasterThe sharp increase in electricity prices since 2021, exacerbated by the energy crisis stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has driven the average market price to 167,52 euros per MWh and fired the photovoltaic installations in homes and businesses.
Between 2022 and 2024, growth rates were reached of between 1,4 and 2,6 GW of new power annually for self-consumption, largely supported by the Next Generation European funds and because of the urgent need to curb runaway electricity bills. During those years, hundreds of thousands of installations were carried out, placing the sector at the peak of its growth.
From 2023 onwards, the landscape changed. moderation of electricity prices and the gradual end of public aid caused a sharp slowdown. That year and the next, almost 100.000 fewer installations than in the previous two-year period, and UNEF recorded a 31% drop in the pace of new projects in 2024 compared to 2023.
El April 28 blackoutThe power outage, also known as "zero electricity," has partially interrupted this downward trend. Although the global figures for 2025 still reflect a market in adjustment, the incident has revived inquiries and searches for information on self-consumption, especially when it involves batteries and equipment designed to keep the home operational in case of power cuts.
Zero electricity changes the consumer mindset
According to Solar Report 2025: A snapshot of self-consumption in SpainDeveloped by SotySolar together with UNEF, Huawei, Pontio, BayWare, 8-33 and Clevergy, the electric zero acted as a true psychological triggerIn the weeks following the blackout, searches related to solar panels, home batteries, and storage systems reached all-time highs.
The document highlights that, For the first time, the average citizen began to associate self-consumption not only with savingbut also with resilience and independence in the face of network failures. Homes and businesses that already had hybrid installations with batteries and island mode configuration were able to continue functioning almost normally, which reinforced the idea that the investment goes beyond simply cutting costs.
Although the peak of interest was, to a large extent, temporaryThe study underscores that this shift in focus is here to stay. Self-consumption is now perceived as a kind of energy insurance that protects against blackouts, price increases and potential stress on the electrical system.
José Donoso, general director of UNEF, summarizes this transformation by pointing out that self-consumption has ceased to be a expensive and niche technology to become something much more commonplace, almost comparable to an essential appliance that allows for greater autonomy and stability.
Similarly, José Carlos Díaz Lacaci, CEO of SotySolar, believes that the sector is in a consolidation process Following the boom of 2022 and 2023, he believes the drop in demand has acted as a "natural selection" that is eliminating the less solid operators and leaving a more professionalized business fabric.
A more mature market: less euphoria, more strategy
Although 2025 is on track to close again with figures lower than those of the years of greatest expansion, the report agrees that the Self-consumption in Spain has entered a phase of maturityIt is no longer an impulsive response to the electricity bill, but an increasingly considered and strategic decision.
The study data shows that the Saving remains the main motivation to install solar panels, concentrating 65% of the preferences of those surveyed (compared to 60% registered in 2024). However, other factors are gaining importance: the Sustainability reaches 12% and the energy independence reaches 8%, reinforcing the idea that the user is looking for more than just a simple cost reduction.
This shift also has to do with the energy sector instabilityPrice volatility has led 71% of Spaniards to opt for stable ratesThis positions self-consumption as a key tool for establishing a predictable electricity cost in the medium and long term.
The employers' association UNEF interprets this context as a step towards a market of consolidation and professionalizationThe sector has acknowledged that explosive growth supported by one-off subsidies cannot be sustained indefinitely, and is calling for a stable regulatory and fiscal framework that encourages private investment and long-term planning.
Among the most frequently repeated requests are the implementation of a Reduced VAT for self-consumption installations (with and without batteries), the expansion of deductions linked to energy efficiency and the review of the access tolls set by the CNMC, with the aim of encouraging the use of solar energy during peak radiation hours and decongesting the grid.
Aerothermal energy, batteries and self-sufficient homes: the new energy package
The Solar Report 2025 also highlights the growing role of aerothermal and integrated climate control and electric mobility solutions. In 2024, approximately half of homeowners considered the initial investment in aerothermal energy too high, and their level of knowledge about this technology was low.
One year later, the situation has changed remarkably: 66% of those who already have solar panels plan to install aerothermal systems in their homes over the next three years. This evolution points towards a home model in which photovoltaic production, efficient heating and cooling, and, in many cases, electric cars coexist as part of the same ecosystem.
Donoso himself emphasizes that the market is moving towards a model of almost total energy independence, in which the panels are integrated with batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicles to build self-sufficient homes with a much more controllable energy bill.
Combining solar panels and domestic batteries It plays a particularly important role after the blackout. Households with storage systems and equipment enabled to disconnect from the grid saw their confidence in this technology strengthened, something the report reflects in a clear increase in battery purchase intentions.
This process is part of a broader context of electrification of demandThe sector believes that Spain has privileged conditions to lead this change, thanks to its high solar radiation, the technological maturity achieved and the growing availability of adapted financial solutions.
How the blackout has reordered users' priorities
Until 2024, a large proportion of homeowners were reluctant to take the step towards self-consumption: only a 22% of homeowners They were considering installing solar panels in the short term, hampered by the drop in energy prices and the gradual withdrawal of European funds.
The experience of the electric zero has led to the search for independence and security Gain ground beyond simply worrying about the bill. Many families who previously postponed the investment have begun to consider that having their own energy source, especially if supplemented with batteries, can make all the difference in the event of future incidents.
The study confirms that, after the blackout, there was a Record number of searches for solar and home storage solutionsAlthough that initial peak gradually subsided over the weeks, the impact on public perception has been lasting: self-consumption is now associated with resilience, continuity of supply, and risk control.
At the same time, the way we choose an installation company is also changing. Price remains a determining factor for 45% of usersHowever, factors related to trust and support are increasingly important: 25% are guided by recommendations from other customers, and 20% particularly value help in managing procedures, permits and access to public aid.
This growing importance of trust reinforces the idea that the user is not just looking for a product, but a comprehensive long-term serviceCompanies like SotySolar point out that a significant portion of their customers choose them precisely because of this ability to provide support before, during, and after installation.
Flexible financing and regional aid, the new allies
Another of the most visible changes between 2024 and 2025 can be seen in the way to finance the facilitiesLast year, 73% of owners were unaware of the existence of subsidies and were very cautious about the initial outlay, which held back many projects even when they were economically profitable in the medium term.
By 2025, between 60% and 70% of households will already be opting for flexible payment options, such as specific loans or financing options that eliminate the down payment. In the case of installations costing more than €10.000 or with batteries, this percentage rises to 80% of projectsThis suggests that financing has become a key lever for unlocking investment decisions.
The report attributes much of this progress to the consolidation of digital financial productsThese plans allow you to complete the entire process online and only start paying once the installation is operational. For many users, this approach reduces the perceived risk and makes self-consumption a more affordable option.
Along with private funding, the regional aid for self-consumption and energy efficiency They continue to play a relevant role, although very unevenly across the region. Catalonia, for example, stands out for having used its subsidies as an engine for market revitalization, achieving a 20,6% increase in the volume of interested parties and attracting a consumer profile with a very advanced execution intent.
A similar pattern, with some nuances, can be observed in other communities. Navarre has opted for programs of decarbonization to replace traditional boilers with aerothermal systems, while Andalusia promotes incentives to efficient use of energyMurcia, Galicia and the Basque Country, for their part, have launched initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and homes, which also favors the incorporation of self-consumption solutions.
The role of regulation and the challenges to consolidating growth
The Spanish photovoltaic sector insists that, in order for the The interest sparked by the blackout will translate into sustained growthA more favorable regulatory framework is essential. This is not so much about replicating a scenario of massive subsidies like that of 2022 and 2023, but rather about offering stable rules of the game and a tax system that recognizes the value of self-consumption.
Among the measures demanded, the following stand out: extension of the access and connection permission exemption The measure would apply to all installations injecting less than 15 kW into the grid, not just those with an installed capacity below that figure. The employers' association UNEF believes this adjustment would reduce bureaucracy and expedite the processing of many residential and commercial projects.
Another key request is the implementation of a more attractive tax scheme For those who opt for self-consumption, whether or not they install batteries. This would include VAT reductions, expanded deductions linked to improving home energy efficiency, and a review of local taxes affecting these installations.
Furthermore, a review of the tolls published by the CNMC The aim is to incentivize consumption during daylight hours and alleviate pressure on the grid during peak periods. A different distribution between fixed and variable charges could more clearly reward those who generate and consume their own energy, contributing to more efficient management of the electricity system.
The sector insists that Spain has a “gold” in the shape of the sun And it boasts some of the best solar radiation in Europe, so they believe that wasting that potential would be a strategic mistake. The key, they point out, is to grow "well": profitably, with financially sound companies, and with a clear focus on customer service.
All this movement comes after the progressive closure of the Next Generation fundswhich necessitate a shift from a model heavily reliant on direct subsidies to one based on the intrinsic profitability of projects. The report concludes that the Spanish market has embraced this transition and that The April blackout has accelerated awareness on the need to strengthen their own energy resilience.
The goal of zero electricity by 2025 has made self-consumption a solution that combines savings, stability and protection against unforeseen eventsThis is driving demand for solar panels, batteries, and complementary technologies such as aerothermal energy, in a context where homes and businesses are increasingly seeking to control their own energy.
