Renewable energies
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In 2023, photovoltaic solar energy in Spain reached a new record with the installation of 5,594 MW of power. This milestone drove a 15% growth in renewables, accounting for 50.3% of the national electricity production, according to Red Eléctrica de España.
In 2023, Spain added 1,706 MW of photovoltaic self-consumption, with the industrial sector leading with 1,020 MW, followed by the residential sector with 372 MW, according to data from the Spanish Solar Photovoltaic Association. This figure brings the country close to reaching 7 GW of total power dedicated to self-consumption.
Solar energy in Spain continues to gain ground, consolidating its role in the energy transition. However, there is still uncertainty about whether manufacturing solar panels consumes more energy than they later produce.
Let’s get to the facts.
How much energy is used to manufacture a solar panel?
The energy invested in manufacturing a solar panel is recovered during its lifetime. This process is measured by the energy payback time (EPBT), which calculates how long it takes for the panel to generate the same amount of energy used in its production.
What is EPBT?
The energy payback time (EPBT) is an indicator that measures how long it takes a renewable energy system—such as a solar panel or wind turbine—to generate the amount of energy that was used in its manufacturing.
Modern solar panels have an average EPBT of one to three years. What do these numbers mean? In this short period, a solar panel can produce the same amount of energy that was consumed in its production. From then on, it continues to produce clean energy for at least 25 more years (Future of Solar Photovoltaic, by IRENA), far exceeding the energy consumed during its manufacturing.
However, several factors can determine whether the EPBT is shorter or longer.
Factors that affect the EPBT of solar panels
The energy recovery time of a solar panel varies depending on several factors, such as the type of panel, the materials used, and the climate of the location where it is installed:
Types of solar panels
- Monocrystalline silicon: EPBT of two years.
- Polycrystalline silicon: EPBT of three years.
- Thin film: the lowest EPBT, of one and a half years.
These solar panels recover the energy used in their manufacturing in less than three years, proving that they generate more energy during their lifetime than was used in their production.
Climate conditions
In sunny climates, such as southern Europe, solar panels recover the energy used in their manufacturing faster than in regions with less direct sunlight. For example, in Spain or Sicily, where solar irradiation is high, the panels can reach their minimum EPBT sooner.
Type of installation
The type of solar panel installation and its orientation also define the annual energy output. Solar panels mounted on a solar tracker guarantee greater resource efficiency and therefore a shorter EPBT.
Other advantages of solar panel manufacturing
Over the last few decades, the solar industry has leveraged technological advances to develop breakthroughs in solar panels and energy storage. This makes solar power an increasingly viable and competitive option in the global energy market. What advances are we talking about?
- Manufacturing innovation and material optimisation. Improvements in production processes, new designs, and the use of more innovative materials, such as perovskite, have increased durability and performance.
- Energy storage. New storage solutions maximise the use of energy generated during daylight hours. Vanadium flow batteries, for example, store solar energy for later use, ensuring a stable and continuous supply even when the sun isn’t shining.
- Recycling solar panels allows up to 95% of their materials to be reused, reducing environmental impact and optimising resource usage.
Solar energy not only has a favourable EPBT but also continuous improvements that enhance all its benefits. To conclude the analysis, let’s now see the EPBT of other renewable energies.
The energy payback time varies across different renewable energy sources, depending on factors such as technology, location, and installation efficiency.
- Wind energy: the energy payback time ranges from two to six years, influenced by factors like location and turbine size. In Spain, the average EPBT is three and a half years.
- Hydroelectric energy: EPBT ranges from five to ten years, depending on the size of the dam and water availability, either from rainfall or pumping systems.
- Geothermal energy: varies between two and ten years, depending on geographic location, resource availability, and the type of geothermal plant used.
- Biomass: EPBT fluctuates between one and ten years, influenced by the type of fuel used and the efficiency of the facility.
The energy used to manufacture solar panels results in decades of renewable energy production, which drives decarbonisation and becomes a key element in the green transition.
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