Year 2006 was running and investors began to anticipate the photovoltaic boom if the law was kind enough with subsidies and premiums. The business began to spike and the high demand for photovoltaic panels made the silicon world market run out of stock. At the GENERA 2008 trade show salespersons from numerous distributors complained that they could not fulfill the orders they had, and even that they could double their sales should the product be available.
These were euphoria years in view of the substantial benefits obtained, and some saw in the photovoltaic cell manufacturing the El Dorado. Spanish manufacturers would no longer have to import cells if they could buy them in Spain. Such was the thought of the founders of Cel.Celis, the company
from El Bierzo that settled in the San Román industrial area of Bembibre, and set up a huge structure of more than 30.000m2 and 30 million euro investment, supported by job creation grants. It was a good resource for the conversion of slate or coal miners to new activities.
Today, after the legislation was put at a standstill, Cel.Celis have had to reorient their production in order to maintain the plant’s activity. Although they will continue to manufacture photovoltaic cells for solar panels, its president Javier Arias, announced they would also produce solar kits for self consumption, and that its main markets will be, in addition to Spain, North Africa and Latin America. Three types of kits will be manufactured starting from around one thousand euros and depending on the power requirements.
Thus is established SeTuEléctrica platform, that will target as their clients, the end consumers that either need a standalone installation or look for savings by producing their own electricity.
The new project, changes the company”s commercial course of action since they will supply final consumers rather than financial investors. Victor Tejuca, CEO of the company, expressed his confidence in the success of this new manufacturing line, which he is certain will constitute a good proposal for families’ savings with the imminent increase in electricity bills.
Self consumption can certainly be a viable alternative for the sustainment of the Spanish photovoltaic industry, which is waiting for clear regulations to support it. However, tolls that utilities are willing to impose to self generation could put an end to this alternative. Successful self consumption as such will largely depend on such tolls and the simplicity of requirements
