RWE has expanded its solar business in Spain with the commissioning of Puerta del Sol, a 44 MWac solar farm near Madrid. The plant utilizes around 100,000 bifacial solar modules, capturing solar irradiance from both the front and rear sides to increase production and enhance module efficiency. Earlier this year, RWE commissioned the Casa Valdes solar farm.
Bifacial solar cells feature a double-sided module design which aids the absorption of solar irradiance from both the front and rear sides of the module. By including a second glass pane on the rear side, refracted light is captured by the rear solar cells, increasing production and enhancing module efficiency at solar plants.
Apart from commissioning two solar farms, RWE is also actively expanding its solar portfolio in Spain. The Las Vaguadas project, with a capacity of 10 MW, is currently in the commissioning phase in the province of Badajoz. RWE is also constructing the Gazules project in Andalusia, which comprises two solar farms, Gazules 1 and Gazules 2, each with a capacity of 46 MWac. With the completion of Gazules project by the end of 2023, RWE’s solar capacity in Spain will be approximately 250 MWac.
RWE Renewables Iberia also operates an onshore wind capacity of around 490 MW and is developing the Orkoien onshore wind project near Pamplona to work in the space of innovative sustainable technologies
Expanding its presence in Spain, RWE, along with its partner Ferrovial, is venturing into the Spanish offshore market. The two aim to work together in the development, construction, and operation of floating offshore wind farms along the Spanish coastline.
Speaking about the development, Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, said, “The commissioning of Puerta del Sol makes me very proud. RWE is now operating solar capacity of more than 140 megawatts in Spain. Innovative technologies like the bifacial modules enable RWE to make the best use of the Spanish sun and to drive forward the energy transition in Spain. We are happy that the expansion of our business is progressing well in Spain, which is one of our most promising growth markets.”
