On February 3, 2026, UNEF will hold the IV Conference on Sustainability and Biodiversity in Photovoltaic Plants in the "Sala Constitucional" of the Congress of Deputies. This is a high-level institutional and technical event aimed at analyzing, with data and proven experiences, the contribution of photovoltaic energy from an environmental, social, and economic perspective. During the various sessions, we will have experts, industry professionals, and institutional representatives who will address topics such as biodiversity integration, opportunities for positive social impact and local development, and the circular economy in the photovoltaic sector. Additionally, the event will feature the presentation of UNEF's Sustainability Excellence Awards.
Sponsors:
09:00 – 09:20 | Opening Session
Hugo Morán
Secretary of State for the Environment, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge
José Donoso
CEO, Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF)
09:20 – 09:40 | Presentation of UNEF Sustainability Excellence Seals
Hugo Morán
Secretary of State for the Environment, Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge
09:40 – 09:50 | Presentation of the UNEF 2025 Sustainability Report
Santiago Martín Barajas
Director, EMAT
09:50 – 10:45 | Biodiversity in PV Plants: From Theory to Measurable Results
Moderator:Celia García-Ceca, Energías Renovables
Speakers:
Fernando Magdaleno Mas, Deputy Director General for Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity – MITERD
Marc Vilahur, Director General for Environmental Policies and Natural Environment – Government of Catalonia
Ángel Sánchez, Coordinator for Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development – Regional Government of Extremadura
Cristóbal Martínez Iniesta, Director of Biodiversity – Ideas Medioambientales
Manuel Morales, Professor, Department of Ecology and Co-Coordinator of the Steppe Forward Chair
(UAM-CTFC-TotalEnergies) – Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM)
10:45 – 10:55 | Photovoltaic Plants as Spaces for Regeneration
Javier Peña, Founder – Hope and Alliance for Regeneration
10:55 – 11:25 | Coffee Break
11:25 – 11:35 | Presentation of the Study on Local Socioeconomic Impacts of Solar PV Energy
Andrés Wallisser, Professor – Complutense University of Madrid
11:35 – 12:15 | Social Sustainability: The Ecological Transition in the Territory
Moderator: Cristina Cándido, Colpisa
Speakers:
Mónica Grados Caro, Mayor – Alcántara City Council
Jesús López Castejón, Mayor – Belinchón City Council
Luis Velasco, Director of Installation Development Support – Red Eléctrica de España (REE)
Carlos Rubio, Co-founder Partner – Siembra Energía
12:15 – 12:55 | Preparing the Second Phase of the Transition:
Decommissioning and Recycling of PV Plants
Moderator: Clara Navío, La Razón
Speakers:
Manuel Argüelles, Director General for Energy and Mines – Valencian Community
Gonzalo Torralbo, Commercial and Institutional Relations Director – RECYCLIA
José Manuel Ramírez, Director – Greening Relive
Jesús Alijarde, Director General – European Photovoltaic Recycling Center (CERFO)
12:55 – 13:10 | Guide on Integrating Biodiversity into PV Plants
Carlos Montoya, Head of the Solar and Self-Consumption Department – IDAE
13:10 – 13:30 | Closing Session
Cristina Narbona, Chairwoman of the Energy Transition Committee, Spanish Congress of Deputies
José Donoso CEO, Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF)
