Moura photovoltaic power station
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
Phase-2 of the project involves the construction of a further 20 MW of solar panels. It will occupy an area of 618 acre (250 ha), and will be capable of producing 93 GWh of electrical energy annually (10 MW average - equivalent to the electricity consumption of 15,000 Europeans).
The power station will have an installed capacity of 62 MWp
, with a total of over 376,000 solar panels. 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.
Photovoltaic power station
The following page lists photovoltaic power stations that are larger than 25 MW in current net capacity. Solar photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity and many solar photovoltaic power stations have been built, mainly in Europe...
in Amareleja
Amareleja
Amareleja is a Portuguese civil parish of the municipality of Moura, in the district of Beja. In 2001, the population was 2763 inhabitants, in an area of 108.56 km² in area, and is one of the hottest places in Europe during the summer .-History:Archeological vestiges, from the Roman epoch are...
, in the municipality of Moura, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It is one of the largest power stations of its kind, and is built in one of the sunniest regions in Europe. 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 €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
250 million.
Phase-2 of the project involves the construction of a further 20 MW of solar panels. It will occupy an area of 618 acre (250 ha), and will be capable of producing 93 GWh of electrical energy annually (10 MW average - equivalent to the electricity consumption of 15,000 Europeans).
The power station will have an installed capacity of 62 MWp
Watt-peak
Watt-peak is a measure of the nominal power of a photovoltaic solar energy device under laboratory illumination conditions. Related units such as kilowatt-peak or kilowatts-peak and megawatt-peak are also used, and in the context of domestic installations kWp is the most common unit encountered...
, with a total of over 376,000 solar panels. Approximately 190,000 panels (32 MW) are fitted on fixed structures, and 52,000 panels (10 MW) on fixed on single-axis trackers
Solar tracker
A solar tracker is a generic term used to describe devices that orient various payloads toward the sun. Payloads can be photovoltaic panels, reflectors, lenses or other optical devices....
.
A €7.6 million solar panel factory, located in Moura, was constructed by Acciona
Acciona
Acciona, S.A., is a Spanish conglomerate group dedicated to civil engineering, construction and infrastructure.The company was founded in 1997 through the merger of Entrecanales y Tavora and Cubiertas y MZOV. The company's headquarters is in Alcobendas, Community of Madrid, Spain. The company's U.S...
, 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.
See also
- Energy policy of the European UnionEnergy policy of the European UnionAlthough the European Union has legislated in the area of energy policy for many years, and evolved out of the European Coal and Steel Community, the concept of introducing a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was only approved at the meeting of the European Council on 27 October...
- List of largest power stations in the world
- Photovoltaic power stations
- Renewable energy commercializationRenewable energy commercializationRenewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat...
- Solar power in PortugalSolar power in PortugalA large photovoltaic power project, the Serpa solar power plant, has been completed in Portugal, in one of the Europe's sunniest areas. The 11 megawatt plant covers and comprises 52,000 PV panels. The panels are raised 2 metres off the ground and the area will remain productive grazing land...
- Solar power in the European UnionSolar power in the European UnionSolar power in the European UnionSolar power consists of photovoltaic and solar thermal power.During 2010, the European solar heating yield was 17.3 TWh, annual turnover 2.6 Billion € and employment 33,500 persons...
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 GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
: World's biggest solar farm at centre of Portugal's ambitious energy plan