Innovation

In the case of our company, its innovation is the focal point of their entire business. Everything revolves around the construction and distribution of photovoltaic panels across the planet, to further improve the distribution of clean, renewable energy across the world.

In 2005, a group of entrepreneurial friends, led by José María Galíndez Zubiría and Pablo Burgos, discovered that there was an undiscovered market in Spain related to solar photovoltaic panels. Hence, the company Solarpack was founded. For the last 18 years, the company has had a level of growth linked to the expansion of the solar photovoltaic market, being one of the main leaders in this market and in terms of sustainability.

Solarpack’s corporate culture can be summed up by the following unambiguous purpose: to accelerate the transition towards clean energy affordable for all. Solarpack’s vision has always been one of real substance, as evidenced by the fact that it is aligned with the ambitions of the UN 2030 Agenda. Regarding the interview, Álvaro states that regarding their future projects, the innovation and development of batteries is one of the key aspects. One of their objectives is to create batteries which can store enough solar energy, that they can be used when the sun is down and continue generating energy for communities. Moreover, the idea is to mainly diversify their portfolio and create new renewable projects.

A Bright and Sustainable Future

Inspiration

Solarpack was innovated mostly to solve the problems in the society which includes lack of power, job creation among others. They started by understanding the current state of solar technology, including solar panels, energy storage, and grid integration.

The north of Spain has a large population with varying degrees of access to electricity. Solarpack can provide a decentralized and off-grid solution, extending energy access to remote and underserved areas, helping bridge the energy access gap. It also faces significant environmental challenges, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solarpack contributes to clean energy generation, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental issues. The northern coast of Spain has a substantial rural population, and Solarpack offers an efficient way to electrify remote villages and hamlets, improving living standards and stimulating economic development. The idea of inspiration also came as the north of Spain is susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Solar packs help reduce carbon emissions, contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts and local adaptation strategies.Solar packs can help alleviate energy poverty by providing affordable and reliable electricity to low-income households.

Álvaro stated that he joined the company hoping that the work he would do would definitely have an impact on climate change by providing affordable renewable energy. He wishes to do something that he would be proud of in the near future. This train of thought ensures clean energy and the energy access is spread across the world.

Overall impact

The impact of the innovation on Solarpack correlates with the company’s main goal; creating clean and affordable energy for everyone. Solarpak bases its innovation and company values around environmental sustainability. Their future plans for expansion may have an influence on competing companies that are looking for new ways to maximize their business practices as well as capitalize on those ideas.

In regards to the impact of innovation on society, through using sustainable energy, society is more inclined to choose a company that markets itself as corporately socially responsible. Society supporting Solarpack and their innovation is taking a step forward into working to a more sustainable future.

Solarpacks impact on the environment is in a class of its own. They achieved the highest ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risk management rating in 2022, making it the most sustainable utility globally, according to Sustainalytics. Solarpack out performed over 693 national and international companies. In 2022 they allocated €275,698 to environmental initiatives and avoided 757,582 tons of CO2 emissions in 2022 alone.

Solarpack’s short term goals are to make their projects more efficient and run more effectively. This means implementing battery’s and hybrid options for country’s to have green energy running 24/7. In the interview Alvaro said “the main idea is going through batteries and going through hybrid products. Those two are key aspects because…you need to offer the complete package.” As of now Solarpack’s more distant future is seen through their project portfolio that includes 14 GW of projects across 14 country’s. Their primary goal according to their “2022 sustainability report” is to focus on helping the EU hit their target for “Fit for 55” by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050 (European Green Deal).

Business benefit

Solarpack as a company has created a notable name for itself in the industry of environmental sustainability. In the 19 years they have been a firm, Solarpack has had numerous high rankings in their field.

While solarpacks main goal is creating clean and affordable energy for everyone, the company is also gaining quite a large revenue. Although solarpack already owns and operates 51 renewable energy projects, they are continuously expanding. Solarpack’s future plans are not just expanding to other countries, but distinguishing their brand by setting a goal to reach a project portfolio of 14 GW (gigawatts). Not only is this a sustainable practice for the environment but the profit that they will generate from their future expansion plans will be large. Solar Packs allocations of funds, and their organized business plan is allowing them to work their way up as a leading company in the industry of environmental sustainability.

Through continuously working towards expansion, constantly trying to avoid CO2 emissions/ gasses that are harmful, and ceaselessly generating revenue, Solarpack continues to do extensive research to improve their innovation. These environmental strategies are not only corporately socially responsible, but beneficial for Solarpack in a business aspect. Marketing this information attracts more individuals to choose Solarpack and more inclined to support the initiative.

Social and environmental benefit

Solarpack has had a huge impact on the environment and society in only the 19 years it has been around. This ever growing company has spread its green energy projects across the globe to create a better, cleaner and greener planet while simultaneously providing jobs to locals.

As of now they operate 51 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 1.7 GW (gigawatts) saving hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 a year. These innovations establish the foundation for a more sustainable energy infrastructure, playing a pivotal role in mitigating climate change and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.They aim to help the EU hit their target for “Fit for 55” which is reducing their carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and the future goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 (European Green Deal).

In only 18 years Solarpack has developed projects spread across 14 countries within Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. They currently have 600 employees keeping their projects running smoothly with 93% of them being locals of the given country and their companies gender wage gap is sitting at -5% as of 2022. Solarpack’s social benefit doesn't stop there, in 2022 they donated €881,829 to non-profit organizations.

Solarpack’s exceptional ESG rating, and their active involvement in global sustainability initiatives like the UN Global Compact and the European Green Deal serve as strong indicators of their unwavering dedication to environmentally sustainable practices and the prominent role they play in the future of sustainability. As a for profit firm they are ever expanding, creating cheaper greener energy and jobs for new countries every year. With their success they have had the initiative to donate close to €1 million to non-profit organizations and environmental initiatives.

Interview

Álvaro Zarauz Nebreda, Technical Office Developer