Generation, photovoltaic solar

2024 was once again a record year for solar photovoltaic generation in Spain, marking a historic annual maximum of 44,520 GWh and a maximum coverage of 17.0%

2024 was once again a record year for solar photovoltaic generation in Spain, as it set a new all-time annual high, this time reaching 44,520 GWh, an increase of 18.9% compared to 2023. The share of this technology in the mix is also at an all-time high, with a value of 17.0%.

Evolution of solar photovoltaic generation

Annual share of solar photovoltaic generation in total generation

In terms of solar photovoltaic generation by autonomous communities, Castile-La Mancha was the community that produced the most electricity in 2024, with 10,822 GWh, which represents 24.3% of all solar photovoltaic energy generated in Spain. It is closely followed by Extremadura and Andalusia (10,392 and 10,330 GWh, respectively). The latter two are very close, at 23.3% and 23.2%, respectively. Solar photovoltaic was the first technology in the generation structure of Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia, accounting for 35.2% and 33.9%, respectively, of their communities' electricity generation mix.

Solar photovoltaic power generation in 2024

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

The months from April to September recorded the highest rates of solar photovoltaic electricity generation. During 2024, several records were set for solar photovoltaic electricity generation, but it was in July when the all-time maximum generation was reached, with a yield of 5,819 MWh. Seasonality is an important factor in this technology, as it decisively conditions its electricity generation throughout the year. Thus, from April to September, it has a share of generation of around 19 and 25%, while it is around 13-14% in March and October. January, with 8.4%, was the month with the lowest share. The maximum coverage was recorded in May, with 24.4%.

During 2024, the maximum daily solar photovoltaic electricity generation was repeatedly exceeded, reaching a value of 211,982 MWh on Friday, 12 July 2024 (30.1% higher than that recorded on 2 August 2023). The maximum coverage was reached on 24 May, with a percentage of 29.84%, higher than the 22.91% reached on 5 May 2023.

On an hourly basis, national solar photovoltaic electricity generation also set historical records, reaching a maximum generation of 20,307 MWh on Friday, 12 July between 14 and 15 hours, and it registered the highest historical share in the electricity generation structure, with a value of 58.36%, on Sunday, 4 August between 13 and 14 hours.

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

It is evident that daylight has an effect on photovoltaic electricity generation, with coverage values of over 20% from 10 to 18 hours, while from 22 to 7 hours it is practically nil.

Average hourly profile of solar photovoltaic generation as a proportion of total generation in 2024