Serpa solar power plant

Construction of the 11-megawatt Serpa solar power plant began in June 2006 and was completed as planned in January 2007. The facility consists of a ground-mounted photovoltaic system that uses silicon solar cell technology to convert sunlight directly into energy. The Serpa solar power plant incorporates photovoltaic modules from SunPower, Sanyo, and Sharp. The plant uses an innovative tracking system that follows the sun's daily path across the sky to generate more electricity than conventional fixed-mounted systems.

Generating electricity from the sun with no fuel costs or emissions, the Serpa plant is on a 60-hectare (150-acre) hillside and is a model of clean power generation integrated with agriculture. The project supports a European Union initiative by saving more than 30,000 tons a year in greenhouse gas emissions compared to equivalent fossil fuel generation. The EU this month agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020, from 1990 levels.

Portugal relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, and its carbon dioxide emissions have increased 34 percent since 1990, which is among the fastest rates in the world. To address this, the country is implementing some of the world's most advanced incentives for installing renewable energy. The Serpa project relies on a preferential tariff mandated by the Portuguese government.

Solar power enjoys widespread support in Portugal, with the backing of 77 percent of the population, according to a European Commission study published in January. Serpa is located 200 kilometers (124 miles) southeast of Lisbon.

See also

• Energy policy of the European Union
• Photovoltaics
• Renewable energy commercialization
• Renewable energy in the European Union
• Solar power
• Solar power station in Victoria
• Waldpolenz Solar Park
• Wind power in Germany