European industry insiders are optimistic about the prospects of cooperation with China in the solar energy field

As Europe accelerates its green transformation, Spanish and Portuguese photovoltaic industry insiders have recently expressed their optimism about the prospects of cooperation with Chinese companies in the field of solar power generation.

Francisco Pizarro Solar Power Plant, located in Estremadura Autonomous Region in southwest Spain, is the largest photovoltaic power plant in Europe that has been put into operation. It was built and operated by the Spanish power company Iverdrola Group and put into use last summer. During a recent visit to the power plant, the reporter learned that all the solar panels used are from China.

Jos é Bellott, the renewable energy development commissioner of the company's Estremadura region, told reporters on the spot that the installed capacity of Francisco Pizarro solar power plant was about 590 MW, consisting of 1.5 million solar panels, 13700 trackers and 313 inverters, providing 334000 households with green clean energy.

Bellott said that there were no problems with the photovoltaic panels made in China after they were put into operation, and that "Chinese photovoltaic products perfectly meet our needs.

Spain is the second largest solar power generation market in Europe. According to a report released by the European Solar Industry Association at the end of last year, the total installed capacity of photovoltaics in Spain is expected to reach 26.4 gigawatts by the end of 2022, with an additional 7.5 gigawatts added last year alone. Data shows that in 2022, the EU added 41.1 gigawatts of new photovoltaic installed capacity, an increase of 47% compared to 2021.

Jose Donoso Alonso, Secretary General of the Spanish Photovoltaic Association, told reporters that the quality and cost advantages of Chinese photovoltaic products are obvious to all. Currently, Spain mainly imports inverters and photovoltaic panels from China, which are very competitive.

Portugal is also a major importer of Chinese photovoltaic products. Pedro Amaral George, CEO of the Portuguese Renewable Energy Association, told reporters that photovoltaic panels made in China account for about 85% of the market share in Portugal, obtaining the highest quality certification and recognition from power companies, financing institutions, and others.

Alonso stated that Spain plans to achieve a total photovoltaic installed capacity of 30 gigawatts by 2030, but considering the interest shown by investors and industry development status, this target is expected to increase to 55 gigawatts to 65 gigawatts. George stated that Portugal plans to achieve a total photovoltaic installed capacity of 9 gigawatts by 2030, but the government may raise the target to 18 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts.

Alonso believes that cooperation between Spain and China is crucial for promoting the development of the global photovoltaic industry, and Spain's large-scale development of the photovoltaic industry will also help China explore the European market.

George stated that in order for Portugal's total photovoltaic installed capacity to reach 20 gigawatts, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with China and look forward to more construction and investment by Chinese companies in the European photovoltaic industry.