Gemasolar is the world's first 24/7 solar power plant

The world's first commercial solar power plant, capable of operating around the clock and in any weather, was built in Spanish Andalusia.

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Source: postomania.ru

1. The 19.9 MW Gemasolar power plant is equipped with two molten salt tanks that collect the thermal energy produced during the day. Thus, it can generate electricity 24 hours a day.

2. The term "solar power plant" or "solar power plant" is often associated with a plant that produces solar energy using solar panels. However, Gemasolar belongs to the category of Concentrated Solar Power Plants (CSP). These power plants use the sun's energy to heat certain liquids, whether water or molten salts, to produce steam. The latter drives turbines that produce electricity.

3. Gemasolar consists of thousands of square meters of mirrors (not solar panels). These mirrors are used to concentrate sunlight into a single point, acting like a huge magnifying glass. The fluid that flows past the beams' concentration point is then heated to hundreds of degrees Celsius and uses the heat to power turbines.

4. The new power plant will be able to generate about 110,000 MWh of energy per year, enough to power more than 25,000 homes. It is worth noting that the power plant was designed to operate for 270 days a year. Its official construction began in May 2011.

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