Spain solar industry grew by 150% last year (2007)
The Spain solar industry for the year 2007 has increase rampantly 10 times greater than the recorded from 2005. That is 250m euro to 2.5 billion in investments increase in the solar industry in two years. It is without doubt that Spain renewable energy efforts are admirable and should be mirrored by the entire world. The greatest growth was experienced by the solar PV sector, which generated sales of 2.35 billion euros last year, compared with 900 m euros in 2006.
As concerns solar thermal energy, sales reached 120 m euros in 2007, which represents a growth of 26% from the year before.
The Spanish solar industry is not also growing larger, but also is becoming more international. Imports amounted to approximately 60% of the total market value in 2007, and the acquisition of solar equipment in China by Spanish firms grew strongly as well. Notwithstanding, Spanish manufacturers seem to be catching up: according to DBK there are currently around 35 solar manufacturing companies in the country.
DBK estimates that the solar PV market will grow by 40% in 2008, to reach 3.3 billion euros, despite the uncertainty of the legislation (a new royal decree with cuts in the feed-in tariff is expected in the coming months). The solar thermal industry will also see a big growth during 2008, with expected sales of 175 m euros.
