Inspiring story in Spain

In 2004, the local council of La Serna, Palencia, invested in a 450 kW photovoltaic installation that pumped and distributed water around the local community. The project was a social, environmental and economic success. National policies at the time favoured community energy projects, and the mayor encouraged locals to become shareholders in the project, with 90 local people investing their money.

In 2010 the Spanish Government changed their policy, meaning that local investors are now paying more money back to the bank than they receive for energy production. Today, this situation is echoed across Spain, with more than 50,000 families and farmers similarly affected by the change of financial conditions.