STORY: Expert sees big potential for photovoltaic solar power in Spain
SHOOTING TIME: July 18, 2024
DATELINE: July 22, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:34
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:

1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): CRISTIAN FABREGA, Coordinator of the Master in Renewable Energies and Energy Sustainability at the University of Barcelona
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): CRISTIAN FABREGA, Coordinator of the Master in Renewable Energies and Energy Sustainability at the University of Barcelona
3. various of photovoltaic solar power applications in Spain

STORYLINE:

Photovoltaic solar power was Spain's leading source of electricity in June for a second consecutive month.

An energy expert told Xinhua that he anticipates continued growth in the sector.

"Spain has access to a great deal of solar power due to the very high levels of solar radiation," said Cristian Fabrega, coordinator of the University of Barcelona master's program in renewable and sustainable energy. "Here we still have a lot of potential in terms of this energy."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Catalan): CRISTIAN FABREGA, Coordinator of the Master in Renewable Energies and Energy Sustainability at the University of Barcelona
"The use of photovoltaic solar power is expected to grow significantly. Spain is especially profound in this area because of its high solar radiation levels. This means there's still plenty of potential for solar energy here."

Data from the operator of the Spanish electricity system Red Electrica show that photovoltaic solar energy sources produced 4,791 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of power in June, representing 22.2 percent of the country's total mix. That's ahead of wind and nuclear energy sources, which produced 4,414 GWh (20.5 percent) and 4,349 GWh (20 percent), respectively.

The expert explained that the adoption of photovoltaic solar energy has risen partly due to the affordability of Chinese solar panels. Fabrega also cited European aid for solar panel installation as a contributing factor.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Catalan): CRISTIAN FABREGA, Coordinator of the Master in Renewable Energies and Energy Sustainability at the University of Barcelona
"The growth of photovoltaic energy has been impressive, driven by European aid for technology installation and significantly lower costs, particularly due to China's role as a major solar panel producer. This has made photovoltaic energy not just a matter of image but a genuinely economically viable alternative."

Fabrega pointed out that while the production of solar power and other renewable energies is growing in Spain, electric grid management issues still need to be addressed.

"We need ways to store this renewable energy because, otherwise, it will be impossible to match the supply to the demand. And this is fundamental because, if not, the electrical grid would not be sustainable," Fabrega said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)