SOLAR SHOP

RETAILER Carrefour says it will install 330,000 square metres of solar panels at 130 of its biggest stores in Spain.

Some 30 hypermarkets and supermarkets have seen solar panels introduced, with the Frenchowned company aiming to install an average of 1,700 solar panels at each store. It has teamed up with SolarProfit, a Barcelona company focused on photovoltaic solar energy, for the project. The solar panels will largely be rolled out in Andalucia, Catalunya, Extremadura, Madrid, and Valencia, with the plan scheduled to run until June 2024.

Spain trumps other European countries to become the first to get 50% of its energy from renewables

By Walter Finch

private companies, leading to a surge in capacity construction.

Unlike other parts of Europe, Spain’s auctions have been well-subscribed, demonstrating strong interest in renewable energy projects.

However, neighbouring France’s increasing dependence on importing energy from Spain is set to test the latter’s ability to maintain the 50% rate. Meanwhile, the growing interest in Spain’s renewable sector has attracted investments from various energy companies. Swiss developer Axpo plans to build a 200MW solar plant in Castilla y Leon, while Spanish power company Iberdrola and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund have committed to investing in 1.3GW of renewable capacity, with solar PV projects accounting for 80% of the total capacity.