Moura Photovoltaic Power Station

Moura Photovoltaic Power Station
Location of Moura Photovoltaic Power Station
Country	Portugal
Location	Amareleja
Coordinates	38°11′20″N 07°12′08″W / 38.18889°N 7.20222°W / 38.18889; -7.20222Coordinates: 38°11′20″N 07°12′08″W / 38.18889°N 7.20222°W / 38.18889; -7.20222
Status	Operational
Commission date	Phase-1: 2008 Phase-2: 2010
Construction cost	€250 million
Solar farm information
Type	Flat-panel PV
Photovoltaic modules	376,000
Land area	618 acres (250 ha)
Power generation information
Installed capacity	62 MW

The Moura Photovoltaic Power Station (also known as Amareleja Photovoltaic Power Station) is a large photovoltaic power station in Amareleja, in the municipality of Moura, Portugal. It is one of the largest power stations of its kind, and is built in one of the sunniest regions in Europe.^[1] Its construction involves two stages, the first stage was completed in 2008 after 13 months, the second stage will be completed by 2010. The entire project topped a total cost of €250 million.^[2]

Phase-2 of the project involves the construction of a further 20 MW of solar panels.^[3][4] It will occupy an area of 618 acres (250 ha), and will be capable of producing 93 GWh of electrical energy annually^[5] (10 MW average - equivalent to the electricity consumption of 15,000 Europeans).^[6]

The power station will have an installed capacity of 62 MWp, with a total of over 376,000 solar panels.^[6] Approximately 190,000 panels (32 MW) are fitted on fixed structures, and 52,000 panels (10 MW) on fixed on single-axis trackers.

A €7.6 million solar panel factory, located in Moura, was constructed by Acciona, which will provide panels for the second stage of the station construction. Its future production will be targeted at the international market, with a capacity of producing 24 MW of solar panels annually.^[7]

See also

	Renewable energy portal
	Energy portal

• Energy policy of the European Union
• List of largest power stations in the world
• Photovoltaic power stations
• Renewable energy commercialization
• Solar power in Portugal
• Solar power in the European Union

References

1. ^ Making up for lost time in renewable energy, Inter Press Service, 2006-10-02. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
2. ^ Moura (Amareleja) Photovoltaic Power Station
3. ^ "Module deal for large Portuguese system goes to China's Yingli", Photon International, December 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
4. ^ Acciona Completes 46 MW Solar Photovoltaic Installation In Portugal
5. ^ "ACCIONA puts into service the world’s biggest photovoltaic power plant in Portugal", ACCIONA Solar, S.A., December 2008. Retrieved on 2009-10-06.
6. ^ ^{a b} "Renewable Energy in Portugal", p.43, Ministério da Economia e da Inovação, October 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.
7. ^ eXeneweable Project Profile Page - Moura (Amareleja)

External links

• Slideshow featuring photographs of the solar station
• Two Quicktime VR 360º photos
• Video, in Portuguese, showing several views from the solar station, an interview with AMPER/Acciona director and a quick look at solar panel production at the recently built factory
• June 6, 2008, The Guardian: World's biggest solar farm at centre of Portugal's ambitious energy plan