The nationwide blackout of April 28, 2025, marked a turning point for the self-consumption sector in Spain . Millions of homes were left without power for hours, and many owners of photovoltaic installations discovered, to their surprise, that their panels were also useless without batteries and equipment designed to operate in island mode.
Since then, interest in solar panels combined with home energy storage and 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
Over the past five years, self-consumption companies have experienced a veritable rollercoaster of demand . The sharp rise in electricity prices since 2021, exacerbated by the energy crisis stemming from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, drove the average market price to €167,52 per MWh and triggered a surge in photovoltaic installations in homes and businesses.
Between 2022 and 2024, new self-consumption capacity was installed at rates of between 1,4 and 2,6 GW annually , largely supported by the European Next Generation funds and the urgent need to curb soaring electricity bills. Hundreds of thousands of installations were completed during those years, placing the sector at the forefront of growth.
From 2023 onwards, the landscape changed. Moderating electricity prices and the gradual phasing out of government subsidies led to a sharp slowdown. That year and the following year saw almost 100.000 fewer installations than in the previous two years, and UNEF recorded a 31% drop in the pace of new projects in 2024 compared to 2023.
The blackout of April 28 , also known as the "zero electricity," has partially interrupted this downward trend. Although the overall 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 homes operational in case of power outages.
Zero electricity changes the consumer mindset
According to the Solar Report 2025: A Snapshot of Self-Consumption in Spain , prepared by SotySolar in collaboration with UNEF, Huawei, Pontio, BayWa re, 8-33, and Clevergy, the blackout acted as a real psychological catalyst . In the weeks following the blackout, searches related to solar panels, home batteries, and storage systems reached record highs.
The document highlights that, for the first time, the average citizen began to associate self-consumption not only with savings , but also with resilience and independence from grid failures. Homes and businesses that already had hybrid systems with batteries and island-mode configurations were able to continue operating almost normally, reinforcing the idea that the investment goes beyond simply cutting costs.
Although the peak in interest was largely temporary , the study emphasizes 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 strain on the electrical grid.
José Donoso, general director of UNEF, summarizes this transformation by pointing out that self-consumption has ceased to be an expensive and minority 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 the sector is undergoing a consolidation process after the boom of 2022 and 2023. In his view, the drop in demand has acted as a “natural selection” that is eliminating the less robust operators and leaving a more professionalized business landscape.
A more mature market: less euphoria, more strategy
Although 2025 is on track to close with figures lower than those of the peak expansion years, the report agrees that self-consumption in Spain has entered a phase of maturity . It is no longer an impulsive response to electricity bills, but an increasingly considered and strategic decision.
The study's data shows that saving money remains the primary motivation for installing solar panels, accounting for 65% of respondents' preferences (compared to 60% in 2024). However, other factors are gaining importance: sustainability reaches 12% and energy independence 8% , reinforcing the idea that users are looking for more than just cutting costs.
This shift is also related to the instability of the energy sector . Price volatility has led 71% of Spaniards to opt for stable tariffs , making self-consumption a key tool for establishing a predictable electricity cost in the medium and long term.
The employers' association UNEF interprets this context as a shift towards a market of consolidation and professionalization . The 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 fosters private investment and long-term planning.
Among the most repeated requests are the application of a reduced VAT rate for self-consumption installations (with and without batteries), the expansion of deductions linked to energy efficiency, and the review of 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 energy and integrated heating, cooling, 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.
A year later, the landscape has shifted dramatically: 66% of those who already have solar panels plan to install heat pumps in their homes within the next three years. This evolution points toward a home model where photovoltaic production, efficient heating and cooling, and, in many cases, electric vehicles 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 solar panels are integrated with batteries, heat pumps and electric vehicles to build self-sufficient homes with a much more controllable energy bill.
The combination of solar panels and home batteries plays a particularly important role after the blackout. Households with storage systems and equipment capable of disconnecting 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 trend toward the electrification of energy demand . The sector believes that Spain has privileged conditions to lead this change, thanks to its high levels of solar radiation, the technological maturity it has achieved, and the growing availability of tailored 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 22% of homeowners considered installing solar panels in the short term, hampered by the drop in energy prices and the gradual withdrawal of European funds.
The experience of zero electricity has led to a greater emphasis on independence and security compared to simply worrying about the bill. Many families who previously postponed the investment have begun to consider that having their own energy source, especially when supplemented with batteries, can make all the difference in the event of future emergencies.
The study confirms that, after the blackout, there was a record number of searches for solar and home energy storage solutions . Although this initial peak subsided over the following weeks, the impact on public perception has been lasting: self-consumption is now associated with resilience, continuity of supply, and risk management.
Meanwhile, the way people choose an installation company is also changing. Price remains a determining factor for 45% of users , but factors related to trust and support are increasingly important: 25% are guided by recommendations from other customers, and 20% particularly value help with paperwork, permits, and access to public subsidies.
This growing importance of trust reinforces the idea that users are not just looking for a product, but for a comprehensive, long-term service . Companies like SotySolar point out that a significant portion of their clients 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 is in the way facilities are financed . Last 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 viable 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 plans that eliminate the down payment. For installations costing over €10.000 or those with batteries, this percentage rises to 80% of projects , suggesting that financing has become a key driver for investment decisions.
The report attributes much of this progress to the consolidation of digital financial products , which allow the entire process to be completed online and payments to begin only once the installation is operational. For many users, this approach reduces the perceived risk and makes self-consumption a more affordable option.
Alongside private financing, regional government subsidies for self-consumption and energy efficiency continue to play a significant role, although this varies considerably across the region. Catalonia, for example, stands out for having used its subsidies as a driver of market growth, achieving a 20,6% increase in the number of interested parties and attracting a consumer profile with a very advanced intention to implement the projects.
A similar pattern, with some variations, can be observed in other regions. Navarre has opted for decarbonization programs to replace traditional boilers with aerothermal systems, while Andalusia is promoting incentives for the efficient use of energy . Murcia, Galicia, and the Basque Country, for their part, have launched initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and homes, which also encourages the adoption of self-consumption solutions.
The role of regulation and the challenges to consolidating growth
The Spanish photovoltaic sector insists that, for the interest generated by the blackout to translate into sustained growth , a 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 requested is the extension of the exemption from grid access and connection permits to all installations injecting less than 15 kW, and not only to 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 demand 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 tariffs published by the CNMC is proposed with the aim of incentivizing consumption during daylight hours and relieving 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 possesses a "gold" in the form of sunshine and some of the best solar radiation in Europe, and therefore believes that squandering this potential would be a strategic error. 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 gradual closure of Next Generation EU funds , which is forcing 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 of the need to strengthen its own energy resilience.
The goal of zero net electricity by 2025 has turned self-consumption into a solution that combines savings, stability and protection against unforeseen events , boosting demand for solar panels, batteries and complementary technologies such as aerothermal energy, in a context where homes and businesses are increasingly looking to control their own energy.
