The Spanish regulation of the photovoltaic demand-side generation

It is usually expected that demand-side generation gains momentum in places where retail grid parity is being reached. This is, for example, the case of photovoltaic generation in Spain. However, many different support schemes can be implemented. In Spain, the PV promotion policy gave priority to the ground-mounted installations. For years, the coupling of customer-side generation with excess energy exports was never specifically considered. Nonetheless, some months ago this option was suggested as a way to recover Spain's PV sector from the current moratorium on the RES-E policy. A first decree draft on on-site generation was issued, its central point being the consideration of electricity exports as delayed consumption rights. But several barriers hindered its entry into force. Finally, a second decree draft was issued in July 2013, which is expected to enter into force soon. This second draft impedes the economic viability of demand-side generation, thus complicating the recovery of the Spanish PV sector. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.