Nestled in the picturesque municipality of Betancuria, Fuerteventura, lies the largest photovoltaic plant in the Canary Islands dedicated to self-sufficiency and operating completely off the electrical grid. This groundbreaking facility is situated at Lomo Blanco, a caprine farm renowned for its artisanal cheese production.
The installation was brought to life on October 8th, 2023, with the assistance of Cambio Energético, the company responsible for the project’s development. The event was marked by the presence of Fuerteventura’s Cabildo president, Marcial Morales Martín, alongside the Councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Juan Estárico Quintana. Both officials expressed their commitment to renewable energy as a means to support livestock operations while praising the thoughtful design and execution of the solar plant, which promises significant energy savings for the farm’s proprietors.
As the need for renewable, environmentally-friendly energy sources grows, this solar installation stands as a beacon of innovation. It was made possible partly through a subsidy from the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, highlighting local government support for sustainable energy initiatives.
The photovoltaic system is a robust setup comprising 120 solar panels. These panels efficiently convert sunlight into electricity, producing a daily energy output that fluctuates between 100 kW in the winter and peaks at 170 kW during the summer months. The facility is equipped with advanced telemetric monitoring systems, ensuring real-time oversight of the three-phase supply, production, and the equipment’s operational status to guarantee an uninterrupted energy supply.
According to Ramón Jesús Domínguez, the manager of Cambio Energético, this solar installation exemplifies the feasibility and profitability of replacing conventional energy sources with solar energy. This transition not only results in significant economic savings but also fosters a more sustainable environment.
The owners of the artisanal cheese farm—brothers Teodoro Celestino Peña and Pedro Celestino Peña—are now equipped with a self-sufficient energy system independent of the main supply network. This innovative setup is expected to yield remarkable savings, particularly when contrasted with their previous reliance on diesel fuel, which amounted to €3,500 per month.
With energy harnessed from the solar panels, the facility will be able to power various essential operations. This includes the hydraulic pump for their goat milking machine, cooling and heating tanks required for milk processing, a refrigeration unit for cheese maturation, and a pump to supply water for the goats scattered throughout the mountainous terrain. Additionally, it will support office equipment and lighting across the farm complex.
