Apr 29, 2009
Spain Plugs In World’s Largest Solar Tower
In Seville, Spain yesterday, the world’s largest solar tower came to life and started generating electricity. The PS20 plant has a capacity of 20 MW and will be able to power 10,000 homes.
The plant is made up of 1,255 mirrors, each taking up 1,291 square feet, that focus solar radiation on a 531-foot tower. The heat boils water in the tower which creates steam. The steam then turns a turbine, making electricity.
The PS20 is the second solar tower to go on-line in Spain, with the other capable of generating 10 MW. The solar towers are just part of a 300-MW solar-thermal complex planned by Abengoa that will also include four 50-MW plants that use parabolic troughs instead of towers. The entire complex should be up and running by 2013.
Spain became the world’s second largest producer of solar PV last year, with 3,000 MW installed and with these new projects, it seems they’re on their way to leading the world in concentrated solar power as well.
via Reuters
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