Spain overtakes US with world's biggest solar power station

Is Solar Power going to give the UK the energy it needs for the 21st century?

Moderator: Peak Moderation

Post Reply
Aurora

Spain overtakes US with world's biggest solar power station

Post by Aurora »

The Guardian - 13/07/10

With the new La Florida plant, the nation's solar power production is now equivalent to output of a nuclear power station.

Article continues ...
Viva La Espana! :D
kenneal - lagger
Site Admin
Posts: 14290
Joined: 20 Sep 2006, 02:35
Location: Newbury, Berkshire
Contact:

Post by kenneal - lagger »

World Champions in more ways than one!
Action is the antidote to despair - Joan Baez
User avatar
adam2
Site Admin
Posts: 10895
Joined: 02 Jul 2007, 17:49
Location: North Somerset, twinned with Atlantis

Post by adam2 »

Very impressive, though probably not suited to UK conditions.
This is not PV, but solar thermal used to raise steam and run alternators.
This requires direct sun.
It is not economic on a small scale, but as this installation shows, it is viable for large installations.
The solar collectors are relatively low tech, and the rest of the plant is similar to coal burning power plant.
I would expect that substantial cooling water is required, unlike with PV.

In Africa there used to be a number of relatively small (10/50 KW) Solar steam raising plants, used for pumping water.
These condensed the spent steam in a condenser cooled by the water being pumped.
AFAIK most, perhaps all have been replaced by PV or grid power, or diesel engines.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
Post Reply