PV becomes a power player

Portuguese project takes solar into the big league

Solar photovoltaics (PV) may be winning its place in the sun as an off-grid power solution, and as part of the ‘future-proofing’ portfolio for sustainable buildings. It’s great for wacky portable applications too [see ‘Lighten up’]. But what of its potential for large-scale commercial generation? Can the ‘PV power station’ make sense on price terms any time soon?

Well, they’re putting money on it in Portugal. Near Moura in the country’s southeastern Alentejo region, they plan to start work next year on the so-called Girassol (‘sunflower’) project, building what will be easily the largest solar PV installation in the world [see right]. The 62-megawatt (MW) plant, made up of 350,000 panels spread over a 112-hectare site, should be capable of supplying the electricity needs of 21,000 homes when it comes on stream in 2009.

The key to its viability will be how much of a price premium the ‘green’ solar power attracts - in recognition of its low ongoing environmental costs. This crucial premium will be set by the project licence, which is still under discussion with the ministry of industry. Construction costs are budgeted at € 250 million, with most of the investment coming from the local municipality as the majority owner of the Amper Central Solar company. BP Solar is in on the act too, with plans to build a big solar panel factory on site - bringing 240 much-needed jobs to the area. Francisco Conesa, commercial director for BP Solar in southern Europe, has been quoted as describing this as the point at which solar power can “become a player” in the commercial generation of renewable energy. In Moura they want Girassol to be not only a solar showpiece, but the focal point for developing a cluster of eco-industrial activity.

Solar supersize
Roger East

10 November 2005

Roger East