THE World’s largest solar power tower went into use near Sevilla last week.

The PS20 tower has a capacity of 20 megawatts, enough to supply 10,000 homes.

The plant, located at Sanlucar la Mayor, has just undergone a three day testing period.

It is the second plant being operated by energy company Abengoa in Spain.

The plant comprises 1,255 mirrors, each 120 square metres in size and reflectings the sun’s rays to a receiver sitting atop the 160-metre tower.

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This drives a steam turbine, which in turn creates electricity.

When running at full capacity in 2013 the plant is expected to generate 300 megawatts of energy, and supply 153,000 homes.

The Olive Press wrote an in depth feature on the plant in issue 29.

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