First EU commercial concentrating solar power tower opens in Spain

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First EU commercial concentrating solar power tower opens in Spain

By MB-BigB | March 31, 2007

Environment News Service reports that the first European commecial concentrating solar power plant began operation today near Seville, Spain.

The solar thermoelectric plant, which will output 11 megawatts, uses 624 large movable mirrors, or heliostats to concentrate the sun’s rays at the top of a 377 foot high tower. The tower contains a solar receiver and a steam turbine. The solar energy produces the steam, turning the turbine and producing electricity.

This plant, called PS10, is just the first in a series of solar power plants that will be built in the same area. When all the plants are completed in 2013, the total output will be more than 300 megawatts. Both thermoelectric and photovoltaic plants are in the works. The EU's first commercial concentrating solar power plant