The Spanish photovoltaic market faces challenges related to falling energy prices and regulatory uncertainties, which hinder the adoption of storage solutions that provide better profitability guarantees for solar parks, especially considering the influx of projects planned, with 25 GW of solar capacity having construction permits by 2028.

“Low prices have discouraged the start of several projects, and developers have shown caution due to the lack of clarity regarding the integration of storage within the legal framework,” explains Héctor Erdociain, CSO and CTO of Chemik.

In an interview with Energía Estratégica España, Erdociain notes that this scenario, combined with network saturation at certain nodes, necessitates solutions that reduce costs and mitigate risks.

To address these challenges, Chemik has implemented a long-term production planning strategy to meet growing demand and improve collaboration among value chain stakeholders.

“We have increased our production capacity by 50% annually over the past few years, enabling us to fulfill firm orders of over 1 GW,” Erdociain highlights. He adds, “The relationship between developers, EPC contractors, and suppliers is essential for optimizing timelines and resources in solar project construction.”

In this context, Erdociain anticipates market stability through 2025 but underscores that storage will be key to energizing the sector, as it will help “overcome the fear of zero-price periods.”

String+: Cost Savings and Versatility for Solar CAPEX

To tackle these challenges, Chemik has developed the String+ (S+), a system that allows configuring strings with the optimal number of modules for each project—up to 30 modules per string. This innovation can reduce the number of trackers, strings, piles, and boxes by 6.6%, while also significantly lowering trenching costs and land use for the same capacity.

This solution has optimized solar project CAPEX by up to 4% in Spain and up to 8% in markets like the United States and Australia.

According to Erdociain, this product positions itself as a key solution for new projects and the modernization of existing plants.

The String+ stands out for its compatibility with various project configurations, including central inverters, string inverters, fixed structures, and trackers.

“The installation of String+ is straightforward and allows for quick replacements in case of failures, significantly improving plant operability,” he explains.

This design not only reduces installation and maintenance costs but also ensures greater durability under extreme conditions.

Additionally, in operational plants, “its integration capability helps maximize lifespan and address common issues related to inverters or overloads due to climate variations,” Erdociain concludes.