Moura photovoltaic power station

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Moura photovoltaic power station is currently under construction in the municipality of Moura, in the interior region of Alentejo, Portugal, which is one of the sunniest regions in Europe and also one of the most economically depressed^[1]. Its construction will be carried out in two stages, the first one to be finished in 2008 and the other in 2010, completing the €250 million project.^[2]

The power station will have an installed capacity of 62 MWp, counting a total of over 376,000 solar panels^[3]. Almost 190,000 panels (32 MW) will be fitted on fixed structures, 52,000 (10 MW) on single-axis trackers, capable of following the sun across the sky, and a further 20 MW of power capacity will be added during phase two of the project^[4]. It will occupy an area of 320 acres (130 hectares), producing enough power to provide electricity for 30,000 homes and avoid the release of 60,000 tons of CO₂^[3].

Construction work has been started on a €7.6 million solar panel factory, which will provide panels for the second stage of the station construction. The factory, located in Moura, is being constructed by Acciona and was due to become operational in December 2007. Its future production will be targeted at the international market, with a capacity of producing 24 MW of solar panels annually.^[2]