Canary Islands expand solar capacity with experimental vertical array and largest battery‑linked plant

The Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias (ICIA) in Santa Lucía de Tirajana has installed an experimental vertical bifacial photovoltaic array comprising 60 modules with a total capacity of 25 kW peak and an estimated annual production of 42,900 kWh. Funded with €97,614 from Next Generation EU recovery funds, the pilot aims to study agrovoltaic integration and energy performance under real Canary Island climate conditions.

In Arico, Tenerife, DISA has commissioned an 8‑MW photovoltaic plant equipped with an 8 MWh battery storage system, the largest battery‑linked solar installation in the archipelago. The combined generation and storage capacity of up to 16 MW can supply the whole island of La Palma for about 1.5 hours, improving grid flexibility and renewable penetration.