In a context where the energy transition is redefining land use, Ibai de Juan Ayuso, an environmental scientist and PhD candidate in Human Geography and Renewable Energy at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), has developed the concept of the dynamic peak power density coefficient for photovoltaic power plants.

In a conversation with Energía Estratégica España, the researcher explains that this coefficient is based on the analysis of 412 photovoltaic installations registered between 2014 and 2023, taking into account data from RAIPRE (Administrative Register of Electricity Production Installations) and environmental impact assessments.

“This indicator, which currently ranges between 0.5 and 0.6 MWp per hectare (MWp/ha), has nearly doubled compared to the first installations between 2007 and 2008,” he points out, adding that the trend is more pronounced, “especially since 2019, due to technological improvements and adjustments in plant designs.”

These innovations include more compact configurations and higher-performing panels, which reduce the land area required to achieve high levels of electricity generation.

Among the data provided by his analysis, it is also highlighted that the area occupied by these installations will increase from 0.12% of the national territory in 2024 to double in 2026, reaching 0.25% of the total.

This expansion responds to the growing interest in the energy transition, but presents challenges in terms of sustainability and land use.

It is important to note that the researcher could only obtain records for plants ranging from 10 to 600 MW, meaning many self-consumption installations are not included.

Concentration Patterns: Functional Urban Areas and Territorial Challenges

De Juan Ayuso’s study reveals that photovoltaic installations tend to concentrate near major consumption centres, such as Madrid, Seville, and the Ebro corridor, following a distribution model linked to functional urban areas. That is, due to their proximity to industrial and residential hubs.

According to the consultant, this pattern responds to the need to reduce transmission losses and bring generation closer to the points of highest demand. However, it also creates tensions with other land uses, particularly in regions like Toledo and Guadalajara, which have experienced a notable decline in their ecosystem services.

Additionally, he details that this phenomenon can be observed in his density maps, where it is noted that “from 2018 to the present, new high-capacity generation installations have been mainly located in the second metropolitan rings, forming a centralised model.”

However, this model raises questions about sustainability, as these areas are also crucial for other land uses.

With a projected installed capacity of over 25 GW in the next three years, optimising the dynamic coefficient could be a key factor in assessing and minimising land use impacts.

Nevertheless, De Juan Ayuso warns that “the lack of a clear register that consolidates all information on installations, including self-consumption systems, makes it difficult to accurately assess future impacts.”

This underscores the importance of improving monitoring systems and land use planning.

The expert concludes that, in addition to optimising land use, it will be crucial to “encourage installation on rooftops and other unproductive surfaces” instead of prioritising agricultural or ecologically sensitive land.

This approach will enable a more balanced and sustainable energy transition.