The world is quickly moving towards sustainable energy, and solar power is leading the way. Solar farms produce a lot of energy that can be used for different purposes, such as powering homes or businesses. In this article we take a look at the largest solar farms in the world.
Noor Complex Solar Power Plant, Morocco
Noor Complex Solar Power Plant is a single-axis tracker solar plant located in Morocco. Constructed by French company EDF, it’s the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project in North Africa and the Middle East with its 160 MW capacity. The complex consists of eight parts: three photovoltaic plants that produce 200MW each, two steam turbines with 110MW each and one molten salt storage system capable of storing 400 tons or 700 MWh worth of heat energy for up to 18 hours on sunny days.
Kamuthi, India
Kamuthi Solar Power Project is a solar power plant commissioned in 2017 and located near Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu. It’s the world’s largest solar plant with a capacity of 600 MW! The project was built by Adani Group company under the supervision of U.S-based SunEdison LLC as it includes equipment from First Solar Inc., GE Energy Financial Services and France’s EDF Energies Nouvelles.
The plant produces enough energy to meet about 18% of India’s electricity demand or 30 million people daily, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).
Huanghe Hydropower Hainan Solar Park, China
Hainan Solar Park is a joint effort by China and Japan to produce clean energy. This solar park consists of three different sub-projects, which are the Hainan #1 Photovoltaic Power Plant in Wenchang City, the Huanya Sun Valley project on the east coast of Hainan Island and the Floating Solar Project at Donghai Lake in Sanya City.
The total installed capacity for all projects combined reaches an impressive 290 MW with completion scheduled sometime this year 2018!
Benban Solar Park, Egypt
Benban Solar Park is a solar power plant located in Aswan, Egypt. It has a capacity of 60MW and consists of about 13 million photovoltaic panels arranged over an area of 16 square kilometers. The park started generating electricity in 2016 and the first phase was completed by February 2017 with completion expected to be reached by 2020.
The project was funded jointly by the Italian company Enel Green Power SpA, which contributed €50 million ($60 million) for its development, along with private investors from Italy’s Generation Cooperative Society ((GCS), who invested $30 million USD). GHE also purchased up to 40 MW directly from Benban at auction on October 30th , 2015 – worth approximately $120 million US dollars!
Tengger Desert Solar Park, China
Tengger Desert Solar Park is the name of a solar power station located in Golmud, Qinghai. It was officially put into service on 12 August 2017 and it has capacity to generate 120 megawatts (MW) from 160,000 photovoltaic panels. The project covers an area of 34 square kilometers with investment totaling about $260 million US dollars
The Tengger Desert Solar Park consists of two parts: No. I Phase – 106 MW which provides 100 gigawatt-hours (GWh) per year; No. II Phase – 114 MW which generates 110 GWh annually!
This clean energy venture will produce enough electricity for over 200 thousand families or 800 thousand individuals each year as well as reducing CO₂ emissions.
Noor Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Power Plant is a concentrated solar power (CSP) project located in the United Arab Emirates. It has a capacity of 800 MW with completion expected by 2020, which will make this the largest CSP plant at that time!
Noor Abuazi’s modern technology and equipment help it be one of the most efficient plants in the world as its heat-recovery steam generators produce electricity while reducing water consumption for cooling to only 20% or less of other fossil fuel powered stations such as coal and gas burning facilities. This helps reduce operating costs significantly – up to 30%. The complex includes ten hours worth of molten salt storage capability which allows production on cloudy days too.
Villanueva Solar Park, Mexico
Villanueva Solar Park is a solar power station that covers an area of about 164 hectares with the capacity to produce 66.14 MW over 11 million photovoltaic panels. The project was completed in January 2018 and it currently provides electricity for 18,000 homes!
The plant has been developed by GDF SUEZ Energia Mexico (GEM), who will operate and maintain this renewable energy facility until 2040. GEM also manages Villanueva’s operations through its own billing system – which benefits both company as well as utility clients’ customer experience!