The Government of the Balearic Islands has launched the largest floating solar plant in the Balearics on the Capdepera irrigation reservoir. The plant will avoid the emission of over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year and will be able to supply energy to more than 650 homes. The project, promoted by the Balearic Institute of Energy (IBE), involved an investment of €1,449,500 and covers a surface area of 9,120 square metres.

The facility features 2,528 solar panels and a peak power of 1,477.44 kWp. It includes four inverters of 350 kWn each, totalling 1,400 kWn. In addition to generating renewable energy, this floating solar plant helps to reduce water evaporation from the reservoir and improves the cooling of the panels, increasing their efficiency.

Floating solar plant enables more efficient water use

This type of installation does not consume additional land and allows for a more efficient use of water. The natural cooling effect provided by the water surface boosts the performance of the solar panels.

Floating solar plant


The Minister of Business, Employment and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro; the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet; the Director General of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fernando Fernández; and the Managing Director of IBE, Hernando Rayo, visit the floating solar plant in Capdepera. Photo: CAIB.

At present, three similar plants are under construction in the reservoirs of Santa Maria del Camí, Consell, and Ariany. They will have a combined capacity of 2.1 MW and will generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of a municipality like Maria de la Salut. These installations have a budget of over three million euros and will help reduce CO₂ emissions by 1,700 tonnes per year, which is equivalent to planting 170,000 trees.

The IBE is also planning new plants in Inca (1.4 MW), Artà (2.8 MW), Ciutadella (0.5 MW), and Santa Eulàlia des Riu (0.5 MW). In Ciutadella, a 4,000 kWh battery storage system will also be installed, the first of its kind in the Balearics.