Unlocking solar potential without land take in the Balearic Islands 

Deploying renewable energy at scale is particularly challenging in island regions, where land availability is limited and environmental pressures are high. To address these constraints, the Balearic Energy Institute (IBE) has developed a complementary approach that combines strategic planning tools with innovative photovoltaic (PV) deployment solutions, enabling the Balearic Islands to significantly expand solar energy production without consuming additional land. 

Mapping rooftop solar potential at territorial scale 

A first cornerstone of this approach is the Photovoltaic Atlas of the Balearic Islands, an interactive and publicly accessible digital tool covering all islands of the Balearic Autonomous Community. The Atlas allows users, including homeowners, building managers, municipalities, and installation professionals, to quickly assess the photovoltaic potential of rooftops and terraces. 

For each building or property, the tool provides clear information on the maximum and optimal number of PV panels, estimated investment costs, expected annual savings, self-sufficiency rates and payback periods. By mapping rooftop solar potential across the entire territory, the Atlas enables photovoltaic deployment without additional land consumption. 

The tool supports municipalities in planning local renewable energy strategies and helps private actors make informed investment decisions, lowering barriers to solar uptake at both individual and collective levels. 

Expanding solar capacity through floating photovoltaics 

Beyond rooftops, IBE has also implemented floating photovoltaic plants on irrigation ponds, further increasing solar capacity while preserving land and water resources. These installations make use of existing water infrastructure, avoiding competition with agriculture or natural habitats. Floating PV systems also reduce water evaporation from reservoirs and benefit from improved panel efficiency thanks to the cooling effect of the water surface. 

Four floating PV plants are currently under construction in the irrigation ponds of Santa Maria del Camí, Consell and Ariany and Capdepera, with a combined installed capacity of 3.5 MW. Their electricity production will be equivalent to the annual consumption of a municipality of around 4 000 inhabitants. With a total investment of approximately 5 million EUR, these installations are expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 2 800 tonnes per year, comparable to planting nearly 280 000 trees. 

Scaling up integrated solar solutions on island territories 

Building on these results, IBE plans to develop additional floating PV plants in Inca, Artà, Ciutadella and Santa Eulàlia des Riu, representing a further 5,2 MW of installed capacity. In Ciutadella, the project will also include a pioneering direct-current battery storage system with a capacity of 4 000 kWh, strengthening grid flexibility and local energy resilience. 

Together, the Photovoltaic Atlas and floating PV projects demonstrate how regional energy agencies can combine data-driven planning with innovative deployment models to accelerate renewable energy uptake. By maximising existing surfaces, rooftops and water reservoirs, the Balearic Energy Institute shows how island regions can advance the energy transition while addressing land-use constraints and reinforcing sustainable, resilient energy systems. 

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!