SPAIN
A Renewable Energy Programme 1991-2000 that set a
target of 2.5 MW installed PV solar energy was far
exceeded even before its final year, but at the present
time solar energy still does not contribute very significantly
to Spain’s total electricity generation. However,
several measures are in place for renewable energy
(including solar power) to be boosted: a Royal Decree
approved at the end of 1998 specifies the subsidies
to be granted to electrical power generated from renewable
energies and a further Royal Decree approved during
September 2000 defines the conditions attached to
the operation of PV cells connected to the low-tension
grid.
In recent years Spain has been active on two fronts
in the development of solar energy - the installation
of PV power and the development of cells, modules
and systems. In the latter development, Spain joins
Germany and France as the European leaders in the
manufacturing process. Research and development in
the design and application of PV technology are conducted
extensively by Spanish universities, research institutes
and manufacturing companies.
At end-1999 Spanish installed PV capacity stood at
about 9 MWp, approximately level with the Netherlands
and France. These three countries represent the second
rank behind the European leaders (Germany, Italy and
Switzerland). Spanish installed capacity consisted
of 77% off-grid, 16% on-grid centralised and 7% on-grid
distributed. One particular type of installation is
helping to revitalise rural parts of the country:
the establishment in isolated communities of stand-alone
PV power plants, (consisting of, for example, a 10
kWp array, a 180 kWh battery bank and a power conditioner)
which have their electricity distributed via micro-grids.
During installation, other domestic services can be
supplied – the sites that would otherwise have become
depopulated are now viable once more.
SWITZERLAND
The Swiss Government launched a 10-year national programme
in November 1990, known as Energy 2000. As part of
the programme the Government intended to actively
promote the advantages of both solar energy systems
and the employment of passive heating. At the beginning
of Energy 2000, an investment of 150 million Swiss
Francs per year was planned by the confederation for
the programme and it was intended that by 2000 some
50 MWp of grid-connected PV would have been installed.
However, Parliament decided to reduce the credit to
only 50 million Swiss Francs per year and to date,
all attempts to increase this sum have failed. As
a result in this reduction, only about one quarter
of the PV target has actually been achieved.
In September 2000 a public referendum took place on
the introduction of a levy on non-renewable energy
and a longer-term ecological tax reform. However,
a rise in fuel prices prior to the referendum contributed
to only 48% of the electorate voting in favour. The
outcome of the referendum will undoubtedly result
in a slow-down of the Government’s once ambitious
programme.
Country Notes
(SOLAR ENERGY)
Australia || Canada
|| China
|| France
|| Germany
|| India
|| Indonesia
|| Israel
|| Italy
|| Japan
|| Kenya
|| Korea
(Republic) || Mexico
|| Netherlands
|| Norway
|| South
Africa || Spain
|| Switzerland
|| Thailand
|| United
States Of America
