TOPIC 'Solar Energy' on May 27, 2006 (CEST)
New Solar powerplant in Germany
Leipzig, Germany - Another step to indenpendence from fossils is taken by putting the 3,44 megawatt plant, that supplies 1800 german houses with CO2-free electricity, into work. In peeks, 5 megawatt is possible. The owner company GEOSOL from Berlin aims to sell shares of the 20 million €uro project now that it's working.
The 438 solar modules are computer controlled and constantly change position to face the sun at any time, which allowed to raise the efficiency factor about 30%.
During nighttime they turn horizontal, so strong wind won't cause any damage.
Since the efficiency of photovoltaic electricity levels only at about 20%, sun power doesn't pay off.
Due to the german law of energy-supply, the Energie-Einspeisegesetz (EEG), high-tech plants like this one in Borna, south of Leipzig, can calculate with a garanteed price for their alternative electricity until 2025.
Thanks to this kind of politics, 40 000 jobs can allready be found in this sector with a trend upwards.
Germany can also claim the worlds largest solar powerplant with 10 megawatt, anotherone with 12,5 is about to be finished.
In the near future though, other countries will take the lead, like the USA with the Solar One Project in Nevada or a 62 megawatt plant in Portugal.
However, as a result of cosistant environment politics those giant projects are realized with mostly german knowlegde and technologie.
t-broeker
