Solar Development

The sun’s power as a source of clean energy: Without the sun there would be no life on our planet. The amount of energy it radiates is unimaginable. Here on earth, at a distance of 150 million kilometres, we receive more than 1,300 watts of radiated power per square metre. That means it’s up to us to make use of this huge potential.

RWE develops, constructs and operates large scale solar projects and has a global solar development pipeline of >16 GW until 2030. In Spain, RWE has currently 4 solar parks in operations and 2 projects under construction with around 285 MW total capacity.

Are you interested in leasing your land for a solar farm?

How does a solar farm take shape?

With its team of more than 200 experienced employees in Spain, RWE designs solar farm projects in partnership with elected officials, residents, local associations and administrative authorities. Leveraging the global experience and capabilities of the RWE Group across the entire value chain, RWE Renewables not only develops, but also constructs and operates solar farms.

From the launch of the project to the dismantling or renewal of the plant, we pay special attention to the quality of our work by involving you in the project very early on – here, without a doubt, coordination is the key to success. The development of a solar farm is a relatively long process, which takes on average 4 years:

Solar - stages of development | RWE in Spain

Studies

Through in-depth studies, RWE defines the best project for your area. RWE works with specialist consultancies in order to conduct the various studies necessary for compiling the files for the building permit application.

Environmental Impact study

The environmental study is based on both bibliographical studies (documentation on protected areas, regulations, data from associations) and field investigations (census of plant and animal species).

This study is carried out over a complete biological cycle (one year). It establishes the potential impacts of the project on the environment, before proposing measures to avoid, reduce or compensate for these impacts. The final objective is to design the project with the least environmental impact. The study documents will be available for consultation during the public enquiry phase.
Capacity availability

Every month, TSO and DSOs publish in their websites the amount of capacity available on their substations. The great majority of nodes are however blocked for future capacity tenders in which RWE will participate. Nevertheless there are still a few locations with available capacity where a renewable project might be feasible.
Topographic study

The topographic study will provide the profiles of the terrain, slopes, location of important constructions, protected areas, streams, etc and with this information the RWE development team will check the feasibility of the terrain conditions to decide to move forward with the project or stop it.
Irradiation study

In order to confirm the technical feasibility of the project, RWE plans the design/type of photovoltaic installation best suited to local sunlight levels and the configuration of the site.
Geotechnical

Geothecnical report will provide a very relevant information regarding the soil composition and conditions. This information is very important to decide the foundations to be done for the structures
Preliminary lay-out

With all the previous studies done, the RWE Engineering team will be required to prepare a preliminary lay-out to take the final decision regarding the feasibility of the project.

Consultation ...

... to gain acceptance

Similar to wind farms, solar projects can also face social acceptance difficulties in the areas concerned. Even though a majority of the Spaniards are in favour of solar energy in the fight against climate change, acceptance can become more difficult when it comes to building solar projects in the area.

In the development of its projects, RWE is committed to a dialogue approach that meets the local community’s expectations. A transparent and clear communication is implemented at each step of the project. Special attention is paid to develop consistent projects with territories in question by involving relevant actors.

Our convictions

Form a trusting and close bond with the population by working transparently, with sincerity, a listening ear and a constant dialogue.

Rely on the democratic participation of the residents to design a project anchored in the history, culture and identity of the area.

Develop a co-construction dynamic around an attractive project that creates value and opportunities.

Public inquiry

We implement a range of solutions from the beginning of the project up until the public inquiry:

Understand the local situation: preparation of an area diagnosis and a project perception study involving around thirty local stakeholders
Explain and promote the project: information letters, websites, public meetings, exhibitions, visits to operating solar farm, etc.
Co-construct the project: collaborative work on measures to be implemented to compensate the impacts, assistance to the economic stakeholders to anticipate and benefit from the project, etc.

This consultation process, which is entirely voluntary, is a key asset in the success of the project.

Our experts

RWE has vast skills and experience within the team in Spain. Our teams of experts will accompany you throughout the project to guarantee its soundness. In addition to ground mounted solar plants, which are currently the most cost effective, RWE is also developing floating photovoltaics on lakes and ponds and so-called “agri-photovoltaics”, which work in synergy with crops or animal farming.

Project managers

The project manager leads the development of the solar farm. Developing the project until construction readiness and investment decision are taken, the project manager steers the entire project team and coordinates the overall project with all involved stakeholders. The project manager is also the first point of contact for the local community.
Topographers

The topographer, in general a geology and geography expert, studies the land and creates highly accurate representations focusing in those areas or items that may have impact in the photovoltaic projects.
Design engineers

The designers of the photovoltaic plant systematically monitors the modules and inverters available on the market and designs the solar farm as well as all of its related elements (cables, transformers, delivery substation and fire protection equipment) to optimize its costs and productivity.
Connection engineers

The connection engineer conducts feasibility studies for the connection of new projects in Spain (costs, deadlines, internal configuration, etc.). They manage and optimize the electrical and telecommunications connection conditions for the projects with the power network operators (REE, e-distribución, i-DE, UFD, E-REDES, Viesgo Distribución…) and telecommunications operators (Movistar, Vodafone, etc) from the request for connection to commissioning and operation.
Lawyers

The legal department is in charge of securing the development activity. It assists the project managers with any and all legal issues that may arise during the lifespan of a project, from the launch of the studies until its dismantling. The department thus monitors the regulatory evolutions relating to photovoltaics and its market, supports project managers in filing building permit applications, and manages the dozens of companies carrying the projects.
Consultation managers

The consultation procedure is an indispensable part of a development project. To create the acceptability conditions for the project, the consultation manager works on customized information and co-construction schemes that involve the area stakeholders.
Environmental technicians

The environmental technicians inspect operational behavior for compliance and irregularities, collecting data, and making recommendations. Communicate and document information about hazards, dangers, and air/site quality to the promoter and the authorities in order to ensure compliance with the regulations and environmental construction plans.

Contact us!

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Solar at rwe.com
The energy source at a glance

Welcome to the sunny side

Join us in tapping the sun's power

How does a solar farm take shape?

Studies

Environmental Impact study

Capacity availability

Topographic study

Irradiation study

Geotechnical

Preliminary lay-out

Consultation ...

... to gain acceptance

Our convictions

Public inquiry

We implement a range of solutions from the beginning of the project up until the public inquiry:

Our experts

Project managers

Topographers

Design engineers

Connection engineers

Lawyers

Consultation managers

Environmental technicians

Contact us!

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Information for landowners

Projects & Locations

Press & news

RWE in Spain

Recommend

How does a solar farm take shape?​

Studies

Environmental Impact study​

Capacity availability​

Topographic study​

Irradiation study​

Geotechnical

Preliminary lay-out​

Consultation ...

... to gain acceptance​

Public inquiry

We implement a range of solutions from the beginning of the project up until the public inquiry:​

Our experts​

Project managers​

Topographers

Design engineers​

Connection engineers​

Lawyers​

Consultation managers​

Environmental technicians

Contact us!

RWE in Spain

How does a solar farm take shape?

Environmental Impact study

Capacity availability

Topographic study

Irradiation study

Preliminary lay-out

... to gain acceptance

We implement a range of solutions from the beginning of the project up until the public inquiry:

Our experts

Project managers

Design engineers

Connection engineers

Lawyers

Consultation managers