In Europe, producing energy at home is becoming increasingly widespread as it allows energy consumption to be more sustainable. In this blog some days ago, we wrote about housing with nearly zero energy consumption. In that article, we mentioned that from the 31 December onward, Europe will start a new era regarding construction. This is the day marked by the European Union when all buildings must have nearly zero energy consumption. In Spain, on the 5 April 2019, the Real Decreto de Autoconsumo came into force. This decree regulates the conditions of self-consumption regarding electric power. This decree, among other things, lays down three self-consumption arrangements as well as regulating the different aspects of the electricity system, such as the installation power or the economic system. Generally speaking, this decree pursues the reduction of CO2 emissions as it facilitates generating solar energy by means of solar panels. Some time ago in this blog, we wrote an article about the feasibility of producing energy through solar panels in Madrid. This new decree which has recently come into force, will greatly facilitate this as it eliminates many technical requirements which made the installation of these panels very expensive.

ALLOWING COLLECTIVE CONSUMPTION

It is estimated that in Spain there are around 15.000 properties with solar panels. However, in Germany the number amounts to more than a million and a half. To say it bluntly, it seems paradoxical that Spain is, in all Europe, the best country in which to take advantage of solar energy. No other European country enjoys more sunshine than Spain. Nevertheless, it is impossible to make the most of it without a policy which promotes and boosts renewable energy. The Real Decreto de Autoconsumo seeks to change the current situation, and as a sign of this we can point out a fact: previously, the installation of solar panels could only be carried out by owners of single family homes. Whereas, at present, the new decree allows collective consumption. This is extremely important because in Spain collective housing amounts to 65%. Therefore, a large percentage of the population which before could not produce solar energy at home, are now allowed to do so.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO

Despite the important advance that this decree means, there is still a long way to go until, in Spain, we can supply our own energy consumption at home. According to some experts, part of the Spanish population still has reservations concerning this type of energy as it has never been a habit in our country. These experts think that if a large number of successful examples of solar panel installations are seen by the people, then they will realize that this kind of energy supply is possible and real as well as involving important savings for the consumer. Likewise, if the authorities encourage more information campaigns, then the consumer will, eventually, consider this way of obtaining energy as an option which must be taken into account.

Picture 01: Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada