Moura photovoltaic power station

Moura photovoltaic power station is currently under construction in the municipality of Moura, in the interior region of Alentejo, Portugal, which is one of the sunniest regions in Europe and also one of the most economically depressed [http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=38245 "PORTUGAL: Making Up for Lost Time in Renewable Energy"] , "Inter Press Service", 2006-10-02. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.] . Its construction will be carried out in two stages, the first one to be finished in 2008 and the other in 2010, completing the €250 million project. [http://www.renewableenergyweekly.com/rea/news/story;j?id=46109 " ACCIONA Acquires Rights to 62 MW PV Plant"] , "Renewable Energy World", 2007-06-20. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.]

The power station will have an installed capacity of 62 MWp, counting a total of over 376,000 solar panels [http://www.min-economia.pt/document/Energias_Renov_PT.pdf "Renewable Energy in Portugal", p.43] , "Ministério da Economia e da Inovação", October 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.] . Almost 190,000 panels (32 MW) will be fitted on fixed structures, 52,000 (10 MW) on single-axis trackers, capable of following the sun across the sky, and a further 20 MW of power capacity will be added during phase two of the project [http://photon-magazine.com/news_archiv/details.aspx?cat=News_PI&sub=europe&pub=4&parent=560 "Module deal for large Portuguese system goes to China's Yingli"] , "Photon International", December 2006. Retrieved on 2008-02-26.] . It will occupy an area of 320 acres (130 hectares), producing 88 GWh of electrical energy per year (10 MW average - equivalent to the electricity consumption of 15,000 Europeans)..

Construction work has been started on a €7.6 million solar panel factory, which will provide panels for the second stage of the station construction. The factory, located in Moura, is being constructed by Acciona and was due to become operational in December 2007. Its future production will be targeted at the international market, with a capacity of producing 24 MW of solar panels annually.

ee also

*Photovoltaic power stations
*Solar power in Portugal
*Solar power in the European Union
*Renewable energy commercialization
*Energy policy of the European Union

References

External links

* June 6, 2008, "The Guardian": [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jun/06/renewableenergy.alternativeenergy World's biggest solar farm at centre of Portugal's ambitious energy plan]