Generation, photovoltaic solar

2023 was once again a record year for solar photovoltaic generation in Spain, marking a historic annual maximum of 37,332 GWh and a maximum coverage of 14.0 %

2023 was once again a record year for solar photovoltaic generation in Spain, as it set a new all-time annual high, this time reaching 37,332 GWh, an increase of 33.8 % compared to 2022. The share of this technology in the mix is also at an all-time high, with a value of 14.0 %.

Evolution of solar photovoltaic generation

Annual share of solar photovoltaic generation in total generation

In terms of solar photovoltaic generation by autonomous communities, Extremadura was the community that produced the most electricity in 2023, with 9,168 GWh, which represents 24.6 % of all solar photovoltaic energy generated in Spain. It is closely followed by Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia (8,512 and 8,471 GWh, respectively). The latter two are very close, at 22.8 % and 22.7 %, respectively. Solar photovoltaic was the second technology in the generation mix of Extremadura, Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia, accounting for 30.8 %, 29.8 % and 26.5 %, respectively, of their communities' production mix.

Solar photovoltaic power generation in 2023

Solar photovoltaic power generation of each autonomous community as a proportion of the national solar photovoltaic power generation

The months from April to August recorded the highest rates of solar photovoltaic production. During 2023, several records were set for solar photovoltaic production, but it was in July when the all-time maximum generation was reached, with a yield of 4,552 MWh. Seasonality is an important factor in this technology, as it decisively conditions its production throughout the year. Thus, from April to August, it has a share of generation of around 17 and 19 %, and it is above 13 % in March and September. January is the worst month for this technology, with a share of 7.0 %. The maximum coverage was recorded in July, with 19.2 %.

During 2023, the maximum daily solar photovoltaic production has been repeatedly exceeded, reaching a value of 162,960 MWh on Wednesday, 2 August 2022 (25.8 % higher than that recorded on 26 May 2022). The maximum coverage was reached on 10 June, with a percentage of 22.45 %, higher than the 18.97 % reached on 05 June 2022.

On an hourly basis, national solar photovoltaic production has also set historical records, reaching a maximum generation of 16,385 MWh on Wednesday, 2 August between 13:00 and 14:00, and it registered the highest historical share in the production mix, with a value of 48.22 %, on Sunday, 8 October between 14:00 and 15:00.

Solar photovoltaic generation, monthly maximum values, and share of total generation

It is evident that daylight has an effect on photovoltaic production, with coverage values of over 20 % from 10:00 to 18:00, while from 10 pm to 7 am it is practically nil.

Average hourly profile of solar photovoltaic as a proportion of total generation in 2023