solar energy

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The city now has the capacity to produce enough energy for 1,000 families

Car manufacturer SEAT, based in Martorell (Greater Barcelona), has set up 53,000 solar panels on the roof of its main factory and on top of parking spaces. The company has just completed the third stage of a €35 million project, which started in 2010, and occupies 10% of the 3 million square metres of its Martorell facilities. The solar panels occupy an extension equivalent to 40 soccer fields and can generate 15 million kWh of clean energy per year. This is equivalent to 25% of the energy needed to produce the Seat Leon or to the “annual consumption of 3,500 households”, said President Jürgen Stackmann. With this eco-friendly project Martorell is now the automation factory with the largest solar plant in the world. Furthermore, the panels were installed over existing facilities and do not occupy additional space.

This pioneering energy plant, located in western Catalonia, will generate 22.5 megawatts of power, the equivalent of the electricity supply to 27,000 houses. The hybrid system combining solar thermal and biomass energy enables the production of electricity 24 hours a day, increasing the production capacity of the plant. It occupies 96 hectares and has 2,688 solar panels. In just 20 months, Abantia and Comse Emte have built the plant and put it to work. The €153 million project will prevent 24,500 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

The Catalan company opts for sustainable energy and internationalisation to get through the economic difficulties. With this move, Baxiroca hopes to become Europe’s major supplier. The plant has cost 4 million euros and will export 80% of its production.

Red Eléctrica, the corporation that operates the electricity transmission system and electricity grid throughout Spain and the French company RTE start work this year. This key infrastructure will enable transporting solar power from Northern Africa to Central Europe.

Caldes d?Estrac hosts event to promote electric vehicles