An agricultural operation in Puebla del Príncipe, Spain, has successfully slashed its electricity expenses by up to 80% through a two-phase renewable energy project. By integrating 150 kW of solar capacity with a 125 kW/257 kWh battery energy storage system (BESS), Finca La Cuesta has optimized its power consumption to meet the consistent demands of its daily farming processes. This strategic implementation, managed by Elecnor, demonstrates the effectiveness of aligning energy storage with specific site consumption profiles to maximize self-consumption and minimize reliance on the grid, while simultaneously lowering the farm’s overall CO2 emissions.
The project was executed in two distinct stages to ensure technical precision. The initial phase, completed in July 2025, focused on solar generation using three 50 kW inverters, which immediately reduced electricity costs by roughly one-third. Following a year of detailed consumption analysis, the second phase introduced the Sungrow PowerStack storage system. This addition allows the farm to capture excess solar energy that would otherwise be exported to the grid, storing it for use during periods when solar generation is insufficient to meet the facility’s high pumping and operational demands.
Central to the project’s success is the sophisticated coordination between the solar inverters, the battery system, and an energy management system. By utilizing an EMS300 controller, the facility can dynamically adjust energy flows based on real-time demand and solar availability. This integration ensures that the battery is charged and discharged strategically rather than acting as a passive component. The technical setup, which includes independent maximum power point tracking, allows for optimized production even under varying irradiance or orientation conditions across the solar modules.
Looking ahead, the operators plan to further enhance the system’s financial performance by implementing time-of-use energy arbitrage. By leveraging data from the iSolarCloud monitoring platform, the farm intends to adjust its energy strategy to account for hourly price fluctuations and network tariffs, potentially boosting financial returns by an additional 15%. With the ultimate goal of reaching near-total energy self-sufficiency, the project serves as a model for how agricultural businesses can mitigate exposure to volatile electricity prices while committing to sustainable, renewable energy practices.