Scientists analyzed the performance of three photovoltaic plants in Spain and Portugal during extreme heat events in 2024 and 2025, finding that heatwaves can cause significant yield losses in PV energy production. High temperatures affect module efficiency and trigger thermal derating in inverters, with yield losses concentrated during the hottest hours of the day. The study compared production data with meteorological information, confirming the dataset's suitability and highlighting the need to consider actual weather inputs during extreme heat events for accurate PV generation predictions. The European solar sector is now focused on improving the resilience of PV installations against production losses during periods of extreme heat, moving away from solely maximizing annual generation.
Tag: Portugal
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Solar Energy Saves Europeans $135 Million A Day
Europe has seen significant savings in electricity costs due to the installation of solar power, avoiding billions in fossil fuel import costs. By deploying more solar, scaling storage, and accelerating electrification, Europe can reduce the role of gas in setting electricity prices and build a more secure and affordable energy system. Spain has doubled its wind and solar capacity, reducing the influence of expensive fossil generators on electricity prices. The focus on green technology in Europe has shown the benefits of renewable energy in reducing costs and increasing energy independence. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are setting new records for energy production in countries like Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, proving to be cheaper and faster to install compared to fossil fuels. Global energy investment is shifting towards clean energy, with more money going into renewables, nuclear, grids, storage, efficiency, and electrification, further accelerated by political decisions and global events, making them the dominant energy sources of the future.
https://cleantechnica.com/2026/06/08/solar-energy-saves-europeans-135-million-a-day/
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Iberdrola launches 195MW Tâmega Norte wind farm in Portugal
Iberdrola's Tâmega Norte wind farm, part of the Tâmega Complex in Portugal, is the first grid-connected wind-hydro hybrid project on the Iberian Peninsula. This innovative project includes two wind farms integrated with a pumped-storage hydroelectric system to store energy for grid release, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by over 230,000t annually. The collaboration with multiple international and national suppliers, funding from the European Investment Bank, and partnership with Norges Bank for a 49% stake upon completion highlight the global effort to combat climate change. Technologies like BladeLifter are being employed to transport large turbine blades with minimal environmental impact, showcasing a commitment to sustainable solutions in the renewable energy sector.
https://www.power-technology.com/news/iberdrola-launches-195mw-tamega-norte/
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Renewables growth cut Spain’s electricity bills by 24.2% over the past two years
A new report from Positive Money reveals that Spain and Portugal have significantly reduced their exposure to gas price volatility by 53% in the past three years, thanks to the expansion of renewable energy. The study underscores how renewable energy is reshaping electricity prices in Europe, decreasing reliance on gas and mitigating vulnerability to volatile energy markets. The report also highlights the European Union's continued dependence on imported fossil fuels, leaving it susceptible to price shocks and geopolitical instability. Additionally, the report emphasizes the economic incentives for energy storage investments driven by low midday prices and higher evening peak prices, signaling the growing importance of energy storage technologies in the transition to a more sustainable and reliable energy system amidst shifting market dynamics.
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Entso-E report finds systemic failures behind 2025 Iberian blackout
Entso-E's final root cause report on the April 28, 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal identified systemic failures in voltage control, reactive power management, and regulatory frameworks, with manual disconnections and lack of real-time monitoring contributing to the blackout. The investigation was hindered by incomplete data, particularly from generators below 1 MW. Entso-E issued 22 recommendations to strengthen European grid resilience, focusing on voltage control, oscillatory stability, disconnection behavior, and defense and restoration, including improving reactive power resources, real-time visibility, and harmonizing operating voltage ranges. The article also discusses recommendations for improving small-scale generation, defense, and restoration in the context of climate-related incidents, suggesting adaptive load shedding schemes, better coordination among operators, and standardized data collection frameworks for future investigations.
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Portugal’s EDP, Rondo sign PPA for solar-powered industrial heat project
Portugal's EDP and Rondo Energy have partnered to provide zero-emission steam for industrial use through a heat-as-a-service agreement using a 7 MW solar plant and a 100 MWh thermal battery. The project with Central de Cervejas e Bebidas aims to store renewable electricity as high-temperature heat to supply continuous, carbon-free steam, replacing fossil-fuel boilers. This innovative approach of combining renewable energy generation with on-site heat storage could serve as a model for other energy-intensive industries like food and beverage, paper, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.