100 kW Photovoltaic Installation Completed: A Crucial Step Towards Carbon Neutrality

At Vicorquimia, we are pleased to announce the completion and installation of our 100 kW photovoltaic solar park. This system, located on the roof of our main warehouse, marks a significant step forward on our path towards carbon neutrality, demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and technological innovation in the food and chemical industry.

With the commissioning of this facility, Vicorquimia begins to generate its own clean, renewable energy, not only covering 100% of our energy needs, but also offsetting the unavoidable emissions associated with our operations. This milestone reinforces our commitment to reducing carbon emissions and underscores our vision to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

Photovoltaic Park Start-Up: Technology and Sustainability

The installation of the 100 kW photovoltaic park is the result of months of meticulous planning and development to ensure that our transition to renewable energy is smooth and efficient. With the commissioning of the system, our facilities are now powered directly by electricity generated from solar radiation, enabling us to significantly reduce our dependence on conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources.

The photovoltaic system is composed of high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels, which are designed to take full advantage of the available solar radiation. These panels are composed of solar cells that convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, a process by which photons of sunlight release electrons into the cell, thus generating electric current.

The efficiency of these types of solar panels is key to ensuring maximum energy production. Monocrystalline panels, in particular, offer higher efficiency compared to polycrystalline or thin-film panels, allowing us to optimize the available space on the roof of our warehouse to generate the maximum amount of energy.

The Potential of Solar Energy in Spain: Solar Radiation and Opportunities

Spain is one of the countries with the highest levels of solar radiation in Europe, which makes solar photovoltaic energy one of the most promising and accessible energy sources in the country. In fact, Spain receives an annual average of between 1,500 and 3,000 hours of sunshine, depending on the region, which provides optimal conditions for generating electricity using solar panels.

This high availability of solar radiation is a key factor for the success of our photovoltaic system. The solar panels installed in our warehouse are optimized to capture as much radiation as possible, even in low light conditions. In addition, the installation is designed to take full advantage of the orientation and angle of the roof, maximizing sun exposure during peak radiation hours.

Harnessing solar energy is not only an economic opportunity, but also a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. By generating our own clean energy, we are reducing the demand for electricity from the grid, which still relies heavily on non-renewable energy sources. This allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the decarbonization of the economy.

Carbon Neutrality: An Immediate Achievement

With the commissioning of this photovoltaic park, Vicorquimia has achieved carbon neutrality in its Scope 1 and 2 operations. This means that the clean energy we generate through our solar panels completely covers the energy consumption of our facilities, and the surplus energy allows us to offset the unavoidable emissions arising from our daily activities.

While we can claim that we have already achieved carbon neutrality with the start of this operation, we understand that official certification will only be achieved after a year of audits and reviews. Over the next few months, we will be collecting accurate data on our power generation, avoided emissions and PV system efficiency. This data will be evaluated by external auditors to confirm that we meet all the necessary requirements to obtain the relevant certifications.

A Key Year for Official Certification

Although the PV system is already operating and we have achieved a carbon neutral balance, the next step on our path to official certification is to collect performance metrics for a full year. These metrics will be critical to demonstrate the effectiveness of our PV installation and our emissions offsetting efforts.

Ongoing Monitoring and Tracking: Over the next year, we will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the energy production of our solar panels, as well as avoided emissions. This detailed monitoring will be evaluated by independent auditors to ensure that our achievements are verifiable and that our operations are sustainable in the long term.
Sustainability Certifications: At the end of this monitoring period, we expect to obtain official certifications attesting to our carbon neutrality, including ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 standards, and the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition ‘s Carbon Footprint Registry. These certifications are tangible proof of our commitment to sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Advanced Technology and Durability of the Photovoltaic System

The photovoltaic system installed at Vicorquimia is designed to be highly durable and efficient. The monocrystalline solar panels have an estimated lifetime of more than 25 years, and during that time, efficiency degradation is minimal. This means that we will continue to generate clean energy for decades to come, contributing to the reduction of our carbon footprint in a sustainable and consistent manner.

In addition, the system has state-of-the-art solar inverters that convert the direct current (DC) generated by the panels into alternating current (AC), which is the form of electricity used in our facilities. These inverters are designed to operate efficiently and minimize energy losses during the conversion process.

Circular Economy: A Commitment to Integral Sustainability

The use of solar energy in our facilities is not the only measure we are taking to reduce our environmental impact. At Vicorquimia, we have adopted a circular economy approach, which includes responsible waste management and the optimization of resource use.

Waste Reduction: We are committed to minimizing the waste generated in our daily operations. This includes implementing recycling practices for materials such as cardboard, plastic and metal, as well as reducing the use of non-recyclable materials.
Materials Reuse and Recycling: We have optimized our processes to reuse and recycle materials at all stages of our supply chain. By reducing the use of virgin raw materials and maximizing reuse, we are moving toward a more sustainable operation.

Our Commitment to the Future

The success of the 100 kW photovoltaic installation is just one step on our path to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Over the next year, as we gather data and certify our achievements, we will continue to look for new ways to reduce our emissions, improve energy efficiency and promote a more environmentally friendly business model.

At Vicorquimia, we remain committed to innovation and sustainability, working closely with our customers and suppliers to ensure that our operations have a positive impact on both the planet and future generations.

Conclusion: A Big Step Toward a Sustainable Future

The completion and installation of 100 kW of photovoltaics marks a crucial milestone in our journey toward carbon neutrality. With the system now fully operational, we are generating clean energy that covers 100% of our energy needs and offsetting the unavoidable emissions from our operations. Over the coming months, we will work to obtain the certifications that officially validate our carbon neutrality, consolidating our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

This is just the beginning of our long-term vision. At Vicorquimia, we remain dedicated to improving our practices, reducing our carbon footprint and leading by example in creating a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable future.