Cultiver l´energie. Diffusion de la production photovoltaïque dans les plaines du Douro en Espage (Castille-et-leon)

Abstract

In the current energy transition, the development of photovoltaic production is most often due to individual initiatives, with the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings. However, in Spain and particularly in the plains of the River Douro, installations at ground level have prevailed; most of the photovoltaic fields have been set up on agricultural land. They are referred to as “solar gardens”. If such energy production meets new social requirements, financial support mechanisms largely explain the choice of rural areas. For owners of agricultural land, it is more profitable to “cultivate energy” than produce food. This energy development creates visual impacts on the landscape. However, their magnitude depends on the type of photovoltaic installation.