Eiffage Energía Sistemas has been awarded the contract to deliver a photovoltaic solar field for self-consumption at the Colmenarejo Campus of Carlos III University in Madrid (UC3M).
The project forms part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, and further strengthens the University’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and climate action.
Enhancing the campus’s energy performance
Promoted by the Rectorate of UC3M, the initiative seeks to enhance the campus’s energy performance, reduce its carbon footprint and advance the integration of renewable energy within the university environment.
The photovoltaic installation will have a total peak capacity of 409.64 kWp and will operate under a zero-export self-consumption model, with all electricity generated used exclusively to meet the campus’s own demand. To this end, 931 N-type monocrystalline photovoltaic modules, each rated at 440 Wp, will be installed across strategically selected locations within the university grounds.
Specifically, the project involves a ground-mounted installation with 673 modules tilted at 30 degrees, as well as systems integrated into the campus library, where 132 modules will be installed on the roof, also tilted at 15 degrees, and 126 modules on the façade, arranged in a COPLANAR position. This combination of solutions makes it possible to optimise the use of available space and analyse different solar generation behaviours.
An educational and outreach dimension
One of the most distinctive features of the project is its educational and outreach focus. The scheme includes the creation of a dedicated learning area incorporating various photovoltaic technologies, such as fixed mounting tables and single- and dual-axis solar trackers. This space will enable comparison of the performance and applications of each system, serving as a practical resource to support teaching, research and awareness-raising in renewable energy across the campus. An information panel will also be installed to explain the operation, advantages and limitations of each technology.
Reducing energy consumption and emissions
The plant is expected to generate approximately 561,001 kWh per year, of which 387,884 kWh annually will be self-consumed by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. This will make a meaningful contribution to reducing conventional energy consumption and the associated carbon emissions.
Through this project, Eiffage Energía Sistemas consolidates its position as a leading technological partner in the delivery of sustainable energy solutions for the education sector and public administrations, aligned with the objectives of the 2021–2030 Energy and Climate Policy Framework and the transition towards a more efficient and environmentally responsible energy model.
