Currently, we are all suffering the devastating effects of the pandemic that has gripped the world, COVID-19. We know, without a doubt, that we will overcome it. This has resulted in many productive sectors and companies being affected by the economic crisis stemming from the pandemic since the beginning of the health crisis. Unfortunately, many companies will not reopen due to high expenses and zero income.
Clean energy, a solution
Undoubtedly, large photovoltaic or wind projects continue to progress with more or less administrative, logistical, or bureaucratic hindrances. Today, we are focusing on self-consumption.
Not so long ago, in 2019, companies in this country were finally convinced that a self-consumption installation in their businesses would lead to significant savings on the energy bill and contribute to environmental improvement. However, most of these companies, given the devastating effects of the pandemic, are now more interested in maintaining a healthy cash flow and potential financing should they need it in a few months.
On the other hand, all companies involved in self-consumption, including inverter manufacturers, structure manufacturers, engineering firms, installers, and suppliers in general, face a constant threat. There is no doubt that the most urgent priority is to overcome this wretched health crisis that is affecting all of us in one way or another. Nevertheless, it is equally true that this pandemic has taught us that we must take care of the environment we live in and that we must be in a constant battle against pollution and climate change. These two battles must be fought in parallel.
We must emerge stronger from both of these crises, both health and economic, and we must have a strong commitment to renewable energy. In the case of Spain, renewable energy plays a fundamental role because we have the highest solar radiation in Europe, 65% more than Germany, and we also have wind resources. In the first ten days of December 2020, Spain was the European nation with the highest solar production, considering that we have only a quarter of the installed capacity compared to Germany, 10 GW versus 40 GW."
It's time to change. It's time to become the solar generation.
According to UNEF (Spanish Photovoltaic Union), and once the measures adopted to mitigate the severe impact of job loss and the destruction of productive capacity caused by COVID-19 are lifted, it is essential to implement recovery plans that encourage a return to economic normality. For this purpose, the ecological transition process must be the main mechanism for a rapid and lasting economic recovery.
According to UNEF (Spanish Photovoltaic Union), and once the measures adopted to mitigate the severe impact of job loss and the destruction of productive capacity caused by COVID-19 are lifted, it is essential to implement recovery plans that encourage a return to economic normality. For this purpose, the ecological transition process must be the main mechanism for a rapid and lasting economic recovery.
UNEF has prepared a report on the potential contribution of the photovoltaic sector to economic recovery and the necessary measures to strengthen it. The main ones are:
Here is the translation of the listed points:
Holding renewable energy auctions. Urgently convene under a pay-as-bid model that sets a price for the generated energy.
Reform the access and connection framework. Introduce a new permit acquisition procedure to provide transparency and prevent speculative behavior.
Reduction of processing timeframes. Increase the digitalization of processes, simultaneity between different procedures and assessments, and allocate additional human resources.
Hybridization and over-installation. Regulate these types of photovoltaic installations and govern them with a simplified processing procedure (administrative and connection).
Contests in Just Transition Areas. Speed up the organization of contests in Just Transition areas to take advantage of the benefits associated with the deployment of renewable energies.
Promote the digitalization of the sector. The photovoltaic sector should have access to the best available 5G technology to optimize manufacturing processes and have intelligent devices in solar plants.
Encourage the deployment of self-consumption.
Temporary fiscal incentives. Possibility of accelerated depreciation and temporary exemptions from taxes applicable to self-consumption.
Reduction of the fixed charge on electricity bills. Reform the electric system charges to increase the weight of the variable component in the electricity bill.
Simplification of processing. Digitalization, standardization, and streamlining of administrative processes by introducing processing through prior notification.
Innovation in self-consumption. Use structural funds to promote innovation and the deployment of self-consumption in non-peninsular territories.
Revision of the Technical Building Code. Introduce greater ambition regarding the obligation to install self-consumption in buildings.
Reform of the Horizontal Property Act. Facilitate agreements in residential building complexes to increase the deployment of collective self-consumption in the residential sector.
Self-consumption promotion campaign. Promotion conveying a didactic message by public authorities regarding the legality, profitability, and positive aspects of self-consumption.
Let it Work for you
