Spanish industry association Unión Española Fotovoltaica (UNEF) has published new figures on solar self-consumption. The number of newly installed systems in private households fell 15 percent in Q3 2025 compared to the previous quarter, while commercial installations rose 25 percent. Demand in the industrial sector remained stable.
Spain leads southern Europe in photovoltaic growth
UNEF Director José Donoso: “Photovoltaics is already the most cost-effective form of power generation in our country. Private households, businesses and industry want to consume solar energy directly to save on electricity costs and reduce their environmental footprint.” Donoso called for simpler processes, adding: “We hope the new law will remove the barriers we have identified and help us achieve this shared goal.”
New law on solar self-consumption announced for 2026
The Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge is planning a new law regulating solar self-consumption in 2026, though no specific date has been set. UNEF has welcomed the proposed changes, which include extending the maximum distance between generation and consumption from 2 to 5 kilometres, introducing a self-consumption manager and enabling the integration of decentralised storage.
UNEF CEO José Donoso on Spain’s solar challenges
The association has submitted a comprehensive position paper to the ministry with further recommendations. These include extending the exemption from grid connection permits to all systems feeding up to 15 kW into the grid, and applying simplified procedures and remuneration models for installations with a connection capacity of up to 500 kW.
UNEF calls for further easing of self-consumption regulations
Of the 19 GW of self-consumption envisaged in the national Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) by 2030, just over 8 GW had been realised by the end of 2024. “We face significant administrative and investment barriers that are slowing our progress, and we hope the new regulation will change this situation,” said Donoso.
Spain’s photovoltaic association UNEF reports a decline in residential solar self-consumption during Q3 2025, while commercial installations have increased. However, this growth is not enough to meet the country’s statutory targets.
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UNEF is also calling for harmonisation of approval procedures across all autonomous regions of Spain. In particular, installations under 500 kW should be exempt from certain permitting obligations, as stipulated by Law 18/2022. There is also a need to promote investment in solar self-consumption and the associated savings. Donoso calls for a review of network charges and levies on electricity bills, and an increase in the variable component to encourage more efficient consumption. (nhp)
